New SLIBCO Board Named Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company (SLIBCO) recently named its Board of Directors for 2019-20. SLIBCO is the not-for-profit industrial development affiliate of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. SLIBCO elected two new members to the board this year – Sean McCormack, Eco Industrial; and Daniel Rickard, Pennsylvania American Water; along with 23 re-elected members. Pictured from left, front row: Penny Common, SLIBCO board vice president; Donald Brominski, SLIBCO board vice president; Susan Duckworth, SLIBCO board treasurer; Marianne Gilmartin, SLIBCO board president; Jennifer Davis, SLIBCO board vice president; Virginia Goodrich, SLIBCO board secretary; Bob Durkin, SLIBCO board executive vice president. Back row: Daniel Rickard; Philip Condron; Frank J. Fata; Vince Bonaddio; Thomas Baileys; Patricia Acker; Raymond Angeli; Alana Roberts; Ken Okrepkie; Christopher DiMattio; Paul Horger; Andrew Hailstone, Robert Markowski; Richard Beasley; Charles Jefferson; and Sean McCormack. Joseph Ferretti; Lawrence C. Malski; and Alex Stark are also board members.
Chamber Names New Director of Marketing and Communications The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce has announced the appointment of Alicia Kilonsky as its new director of marketing and communications. Ms. Kilonsky is responsible for the management and marketing of the Chamber and its affiliates’ brands in the Greater Scranton community, including helping to generate positive media coverage, handling the Chamber’s online presence and helping to strategize, deploy and manage marketing and communications for the Chamber and its affiliates. She is also responsible for maintaining the Chamber’s social media presence, compiling and sending out the Chamber’s e-newsletters and managing Momentum, the Chamber’s monthly news magazine. Prior to working for the Chamber, Ms. Kilonsky held marketing and communications roles in a variety of industries including banking, dental and health care. A graduate of Kutztown University, Ms. Kilonsky earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional Writing with a minor in Public Relations and concentration in Marketing. She is a graduate of Valley View High School and a member of the Scranton chapter of The Rising Tide Society and TuesdaysTogether.
Make Your Own Stained Glass Heart at Keystone College Keystone College will host two Valentine’s Day themed Glass Workshops in February. Click links below to today to register today. Heart Paperweight – Saturday, February 8 The glass team in the hot shop will assist participants in making their own glass paperweights utilizing the Italian glass “Murini” technique – embedding layered glass cane designs in molten glass and shaping the final form. The resulting glass hearts are truly special creations! Basic level, no experience required, ages 16 and over. Stained Glass Heart – Sunday, February 9 During this workshop, you will learn the step-by-step process of creating a beautiful stained glass heart. Participants will choose colors and design, cut the individual glass pieces, apply copper foil, and solder the pieces together to create a colorful creation to keep, or share as a gift. Basic level, no experience required. Ages 12 and up.
Lacakwanna College Women’s Basketball to host Girls Youth Basketball Day The Lackawanna College women’s basketball program has announced they will be hosting Girls’ Youth Basketball Day, this Saturday February 1st. The event will be held at the Lackawanna College Student Union at 12:00pm and will be in conjunction with the Lady Flacons’ game against Rowan College of Burlington County. The event is open to all Girls’ Youth Basketball Organizations and admission is free. All participants will have an opportunity to see the Lackawanna women’s team up close, as they clash with the Lady Barons of RCBC. The Lady Falcons are currently 15-3 on the season and are tied for 1st place in Region XIX. After the game, everyone is invited to meet the Lady Falcons and receive autographs from the players. The Lackawanna College Athletic Department and women’s basketball team are excited to host this event and look forward hosting everyone on Saturday at 12:00pm. For more information, please contact Chris Sawyer, Sports Information Director, at 570-904-3669 or by email at sawyerc@lackawanna.edu
Lackawanna College Graduate and Author Publishes Debut Novel Lackawanna College graduate and alumna Tara Lynn Marta will return to Lackawanna College to host a discussion on her upcoming debut novel, “Look Back to Yesterday” and her path to becoming a writer. The event will be open to the public and will take place on Thursday, February 6 at 11 a.m. in the Henkelman Room at the Albright Memorial Library. During the discussion, Marta will read an excerpt from her manuscript that will be published by Adelaide Books in May 2020. She will also have an open discussion with students and the community about her experiences coping with loss and following her dreams. The discussion will end with a question and answer session. “I’m excited,” said Marta, who earned an associate degree in liberal arts in 2012. “Lackawanna is where I finalized my dream of being a writer and began my novel.” Marta’s novel follows Rebecca, a 33-year-old woman struggling with the death of her parents and the ending of her relationship with her boyfriend. Alone, she clings to memories of her childhood in Brooklyn and returns for the first time in 23 years. After falling asleep on the subway, she finds herself in 1980 where she meets her parents and her childhood self. While attempting to alter the past and save her mother from an untimely death, Rebecca comes to realize that the only person she can truly save is herself. “Look Back to Yesterday” draws on elements of Marta’s life. At the age of 12, Marta’s mother died of pancreatic cancer and her father passed away in 2008. Struggling with grief, she found solace in writing. “Through Rebecca’s journey, people will be able to identify with her and her loss, and realize that the person you lose is never really gone. They’re always part of you somehow,” she said. After the loss of both of her parents, Marta enrolled at Lackawanna College at the age of 33. “I felt a little old to be there,” Marta said. “My professors encouraged me and reminded me that it’s never too late and you’re never too old to learn. You have to live your dreams because you love them. They’re so much a part of you, it’s almost like breathing.” Marta’s novel began at Lackawanna College and went through several iterations as she went on to achieve a bachelor’s degree in English at Penn State and Master of Arts in creative writing from Wilkes University. When Marta graduated in 2018 from Wilkes, she decided to finish her novel and started searching for publishers. “I found a publisher and he loved the book, he was willing to take a chance on it.” To RSVP or for more information, contact Mary Beth Roche at rochem@lackawanna.edu or 570-504-1589. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP by February 5.
Lackawanna River Named PA 2020 River of the Year Thanks to public voting overseen by PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, the Lackawanna River has been voted as River of the Year for 2020, with the highest count of 8,500 votes. The (DCNR) and PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) will be awarding the nominating organization, the Lackawanna River Conservation Association, with a $10,000 Leadership grant to fund special river activities throughout 2020. This award is a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness for conservation and restoration of natural resources within watersheds, and to engage communities with educational and stewardship opportunities. To read the full press release, click here. Learn more about the Lackawanna River Conservation.
Susan E. Unvarsky Promoted to Vice President Susan E. Unvarsky has been promoted to Vice President of U.S. Customer Service Operations at Prudential. Sue oversees back office operations for Prudential’s entire U.S. customer base. Her team consists of more than 700 associates located both domestically and internationally and is responsible for the administration of millions of life insurance, retirement and annuities products, solutions and outcomes for customers. Sue is also responsible for transforming the service models for these customers into future state, that will help Prudential’s customers to achieve a better state of Financial Wellness. With Prudential for more than 30 years, Sue has held a variety of executive positions over her career, including Chief Operating Officer of Prudential’s Retirement business, and a key executive role within product, in which she was responsible for the development and implementation of a new operations and technology connectivity model to support retirement income products for third-party partnerships. She has also held strategic and tactical client relationship roles as well. Sue has testified in Washington, D.C. in front of a joint IRS, Department of Labor and Department of Insurance panel on the importance of ‘in-plan’ retirement income solutions.
The University of Scranton Announces Spring Events Feb. 1 1 p.m. 20th Annual Northeast PA Brain Bee sponsored by the Neuroscience Program at The University of Scranton. Snow date Feb. 8. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Pre-registration required. Call 570-941-4324 or email robert.waldeck@scranton.edu. Feb. 7 through Mar. 6 Art Exhibit: “Sharon Cosgrove: A Change of Vision.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. Feb. 7 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring Jon-Erik Kellso, trumpet, and Rossano Sportiello, piano. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Feb. 7 5 p.m. Art Gallery Lecture: “A Change of Vision” presented by Sharon Cosgrove, exhibiting artist. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Reception to follow at the Hope Horn Gallery. Free. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. Feb. 14 noon. Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “How to Save Foreign Aid in the Age of Populism” presented by Alex Thier, founder of Triple Helix, a strategic consulting and advisory firm and senior associate at Overseas Development Institute in London. Kane Forum, Edward Leahy Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu. Feb. 18 noon. Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “Covering Crisis as a Woman” presented by University of Scranton alumna Nicole Young, producer of 60 Minutes. Kane Forum, Edward Leahy Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu. Feb. 22 10:30 a.m. “IGNITE Student Leadership Conference.” Leadership development program open to Northeast Pennsylvania college students. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. $25 fee for non-University students includes program materials, refreshments and lunch. Pre-registration required. Call 570-941-6233 or visit www.scranton.edu/leadership. Feb 22 2 p.m. Society of Professional Journalists and Google News Initiative Training led by Frank Bi, editorial engineer for Vox Media’s SB Nation. Kane Forum, Leahy Hall. Free. Registration required. Call 570-941-6333 or email communication@scranton.edu. Feb. 22 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Jazz Ensemble with special guest soloists – four high school music teachers who taught, mentored and inspired a number of members of the student jazz ensemble: Laurie Burdett (Scranton School District); Mike Lesnesky (Valley View School District); Ken Luckey (Tunkhannock School District); and Elaine Ort (Western Wayne School District). Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Feb. 28-March 1 & Mar. 6-8 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. “Carrie: the musical” by Lawrence D. Cohen presented by the University Players. Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4353 or email players@scranton.edu. Mar. 6 noon. Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “Navigating in an Uncertain World: Global Challenges, Populism and Brexit” presented by David Donoghue, Ph.D., Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, 2013-2017. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu. Mar. 11 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “General Recital” featuring The University of Scranton Performance Music students. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Mar. 23 through Apr. 24 Art Exhibit: “Women in Art: Selections from the Everhart Museum.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. Mar. 25 4:30 p.m. Schemel Forum Collaborative Program with the Jesuit Center, The University of Scranton: “A Schemel Legacy: The Engineer and the Monk” presented by Christopher F. Schemel, Ph.D., president Delta Q Consultants, Inc. and courtesy professor chemical engineering, University of South Florida, and Brother Mario Joseph, Monastery of the Holy Spirit. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. $30 fee. Registration required. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu. Mar. 28 9 a.m. Preview Day for accepted students to The University of Scranton’s class of 2024. Various locations on campus. Call 570-941-7540 or email admissions@scranton.edu. Mar. 29 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring Mannes School of Music Brass Orchestra and The University of Scranton Concert Choir. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Mar. 31 4 p.m. 25th Annual ACHE Healthcare Symposium. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required. Includes dinner, presentation and panel discussion. Fees vary. Call 201-669-0902 or email sarah.novak@scranton.edu. Apr. 3 9 a.m. Computer Programming Contest for high school students. Loyola Science Center. Registration required. Call 570-941-7774 or email robert.mccloskey@scranton.edu. Apr. 3 5 p.m. Art Gallery Lecture: “Women in Art: Selections from the Everhart Museum” presented by Darlene Miller-Lanning, director, Hope Horn Gallery. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Reception to follow at the Hope Horn Gallery. Free. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. Apr. 3 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital” featuring Alexander Pattavina, organ. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Apr. 4 8 a.m. National History Day Regional Competition for middle and high school students. Pre-registration required. Call 570-941-4549 or email nhdparegion2@gmail.com. Apr. 15 4 p.m. Henry George Lecture: “Social Learning and the Evolution of Conventions of Behavior” presented by Andrew Schotter, Ph.D., professor of economics, New York University. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4048 or email aram.balagyozyan@scranton.edu. Apr. 16 8:30 a.m. Hayes Family Competition in physics and engineering for high school students. Byron Complex. Registration required. Call 570-941-7509 or email laurie.mccoy@scranton.edu. Apr. 17 noon. Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “Antisemitism Past, Present, and Future” presented by David N. Myers, Ph.D., Sady and Ludwig Kahn Professor of Jewish History, UCLA, and president, New Israel Fund. Collegiate Hall, Redington Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu. Apr. 17 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton String Orchestra with guest soloist Eddie Barbash, saxophone. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Apr. 21 11 a.m. Earth Day Fair with interactive games, presentations and information related to the environment and sustainable practices. Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-7520 or email susan.falbo@scranton.edu. Apr. 22 6 p.m. Earth Day Evening of Environmental Science with University student-run interactive science experiments and exhibit of University of Scranton Earth Day Essay Contest submissions. Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-6267 or email susan.falbo@scranton.edu. Apr. 23 5 p.m. Campus Take Back the Night. Dionne Green. Free. Call 570-941-7902 or email maria.marinucci@scranton.edu. Apr. 23-25 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. “Mamma Mia!” presented by The Liva Arts Company. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. $5 admission. Visit https://livaartscompany.ludus.com or email bailey.mclaughlin@scranton.edu. Apr. 24 noon “20th Annual Celebration of Student Scholars.” Displays and presentations of undergraduate and graduate student research and scholarly projects. Atrium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-6353 or email tabbi.miller-scandle@scranton.edu. Apr. 25 7:30 a.m. Schemel Forum Bus Trip to Philadelphia. $165. Registration required by Mar. 31. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu. Apr. 25-26 9 a.m. Saturday; noon Sunday Friends of the Library Book and Plant Sale. Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Apr. 25 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “37th Annual World Premiere Composition Series Concert” featuring the premieres of two new works by guest composers/conductors Peter and Will Anderson, performed by The University of Scranton Concert Band and Concert Choir. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Apr. 28 4:30 p.m. 13th Annual Math Integration Bee. Calculus based competition for both high school and college divisions. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Registration required. Call 570-941-6580 or email stacey.muir@scranton.edu. May 1-8 Art Exhibit: “The University of Scranton Student Exhibition.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. May 1 6 p.m. Art Gallery Reception: “The University of Scranton Student Exhibition.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. May 1-3 & 8-10 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. “The Actor’s Nightmare and Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All to You” by Christopher Durang presented by the University Players. Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4353 or email players@scranton.edu. May 4 noon. Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “The Politics of Maps: Cartographic Constructions of Israel/Palestine” presented by Christine Leuenberger, Ph.D., senior lecturer in the Department of Science & Technology Studies, Cornell University. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu. May 6 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “Brass Attack.” A brass recital with appearances by Wycliffe Gordon. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. May 7 noon. Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “The Abolitionist International” presented by Manisha Sinha, Draper Chair in American History, University of Connecticut. Kane Forum, Edward Leahy Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu. May 8 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Singers and Jazz Band with guest soloist Wycliffe Gordon. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. May 9 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “12th Annual Gene Yevich Memorial Concert” featuring David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band with Wycliffe Gordon and renowned Armstrong historian Ricky Riccardi. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. May 30 10:45 a.m. Graduate Degree Commencement. Byron Recreation Complex. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu. May 30 4 p.m. Commencement Baccalaureate Mass. Byron Recreation Complex. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu. May 31 noon. Undergraduate Commencement. Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. Wilkes-Barre. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu. Schemel Forum Courses Wednesdays: Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 & Mar. 4, 11 6 p.m. Schemel Forum Evening Course: “Bob Dylan: From Rolling Stone to Nobel Laureate” presented by Catherine Johnson, senior student in the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program majoring in English and philosophy and Editor-in-Chief of Esprit: the University’s review of arts and letters, and Stephen Whittaker, Ph.D., professor, Department of English and Theatre, The University of Scranton. Room 305, Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu. Thursdays: Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27 & Mar. 5, 12 6 p.m. Schemel Forum Evening Course: “States of Emergency: Lessons from Latin American History” presented by Aiala Levy, Ph.D., assistant professor of Latin American history, The University of Scranton. Room 305, Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu. Mondays: Feb. 10, 17, 24 & Mar. 2, 9, 23 6 p.m. Schemel Forum Evening Course: “Frederick Douglass’s America” presented by Adam Pratt, Ph.D., associate professor of American history, The University of Scranton. Room 305, Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu.
ESPN’S ‘The Michael Kay Show’ Returns to Mohegan Sun Special on-air guests to include MLB pitchers Adam Ottavino & Nathan Eovaldi as well as Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment Regional President, Ray Pineault WHAT: Join us at Mohegan Sun on Friday, February 7th when New York City’s #1 radio show, The Michael Kay Show (98.7 ESPN NY & airs on the YES network) will be broadcasting live from the Wolf Den in Casino of the Earth. WHEN/WHERE: Friday, February 7th, 3:00pm to 6:30pm in the Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun. IN DETAIL: Get the scoop on the latest New York sports headlines and more when 98.7 ESPN New York’s The Michael Kay Show with Michael Kay, Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg broadcasts live from the Wolf Den! Catch up on all the latest sports talk on Friday, February 7th beginning at 3:00pm. This special radio broadcast at Mohegan Sun is in support of and occurs just before the 33rd Annual Connecticut Cancer Foundation Celebrity Dinner and Memorabilia Auction, taking place in the Uncas Ballroom. For more info on registration and how to contribute, visit: ctcancerfoundation.org Currently, special on-air interview guests for The Michel Kay Show broadcast will include Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) Regional President, Ray Pineault at 3:10pm, New York Yankees relief pitcher, Adam Ottavino at 4:00pm and Boston Red Sox pitcher, Nathan Eovaldi, who was tremendous in the 2018 post-season, at 4:30pm.
JFSNEPA Receives Grant from Robert H. Spitz Foundation Left to right: Laura Ducceschi, President / CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation and Administrator of Robert H. Spitz Foundation, Sheila Nudelman Abdo, ACSW, LCSW, JFS Executive Director and Arthur E. Levandoski, JFS Marketing & Development Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania was one of the recent recipients of a grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation for the 2019 grant cycle. The grant in the amount of $15,000 will assist with General Operating Support for the organization. Grants from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation are administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation.
