Women In Philanthropy Awards $42,000 In Grants To Northeastern Pennsylvania Nonprofits Women in Philanthropy (WIP), an initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation dedicated to empowering and transforming the lives of women and girls throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, proudly announced the recipients of its 2026 Spring Grants Cycle. Following a competitive application and review process, $42,000 in grant funding was awarded to seven nonprofit organizations serving communities across the region. The awards were presented during the Women in Philanthropy Spring Grants Meeting held this spring in Scranton. This year’s grant recipients include Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA for its Resilient Mothers:Maternal Mental Health & Stabilization Program ($8,750); Indraloka Animal Sanctuary for Lotus Rising ($8,150); WRC for Safe Housing and Economic Empowerment for Survivors ($5,500); SaintJoseph’s Center for Maternity Housing Transition Supplement ($5,400); Lacawac Sanctuary Environmental Education Center for its LeadHER in STEM Symposium ($5,000); Recovery Rises Foundation ($5,000); and United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA for its Multicultural HousingStability Program ($4,200). Each funded initiative addresses critical needs facing women, girls, and families in Northeastern Pennsylvania, from maternal mental health support and housing stability to economic empowerment and STEM education opportunities for young women. Grant recipients and award amounts were selected during the Spring Grants Meeting by Women in Philanthropy Supporters, who gathered to hear presentations directly from nonprofit leaders before casting their votes. The annual event reflects the collective power of philanthropy and communitydriven decision-making.
Marywood University Celebrates 108th Commencement More than 930 graduates, including those from August, December, May, and international cohorts, were part of Marywood University’s 108th annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 1 p.m., Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, in Wilkes-Barre Twp. President Lisa A. Lori, J.D. conferred degrees on undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, who represent 25 states and nine countries, from Marywood University’s two colleges, the College of Health Sciences and the Reap College of Creative and Professional Studies. Business, social work, and physician assistant studies were the top graduate-level degree programs. Business, architecture, and nursing were the top undergraduate-level degree programs. Actress and comedian Caroline Rhea served as keynote speaker and received an honorary doctorate during the ceremony. Ms. Rhea is known for her many television and film roles, particularly as Hilda Spellman in Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Recalling her role as Aunt Hilda, she encouraged the graduates to persevere as they pursue the magic of success. “Use your power for good,” said Rhea. “Persevere and keep trying.” Regional graduates are listed below by degree level, then alphabetically by county of residence. For full list of graduates and related commencement information, visit marywood.edu/commencement.
Lackawanna Blind Association Announces 2026 “Swing For Sight” Memorial Golf Tournament The Lackawanna Blind Association (LBA) is pleased to announce the 39th annual William J. Jordan, MD “Swing for Sight” Memorial Golf Tournament, set for Monday, June 22, 2026, at the Glen Oak Country Club in Clarks Summit, PA. This highly anticipated event brings together community members, business leaders, and supporters for a day of golf, fun, and philanthropy—all in support of programs that empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired throughout Lackawanna and Susquehannacounties. The tournament will feature a Captain & Crew format and offer an exciting lineup of activities, including a $10,000 hole-in-one prize, skill-based contests, raffle prizes, and a unique blind putting contest designed to build awareness of the daily challenges faced by individuals living with vision loss. The cost is $225 per golfer with proceeds from the tournament directly supporting LBA’s mission to provide innovative and inclusive services tothe blind and visually impaired community. For Registration & Sponsorship information call 570-342-761
Wayne Bank Promotes Brandon Garnett To Bank Officer And Commercial Loan Officer Wayne Bank recently announced the promotion of Brandon Garnett to Bank Officer and Commercial Loan Officer. In his new role, Garnett will oversee client relationship management, loan origination and structuring, credit analysis, and business development initiatives. He has demonstrated a strong commitment to customer service and relationship building throughout the communities Wayne Bank serves. “Brandon has demonstrated exceptional commitment to our customers and a strong ability to build meaningful relationships within the communities we serve,” said Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank. “His knowledge of commercial lending, dedication to providing sound financial solutions, and active community involvement make him a valuable member of our team.” Garnett studied Business Administration at Wilkes University and is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association School of Banking. He is also scheduled to attend the Pennsylvania Bankers Association’s Advanced School of Banking this July. Active in the community, Garnett serves as a board member for the Honesdale Rotary, Greater Honesdale Partnership, and Wyoming Valley Adult Baseball Association. He also volunteers as a member of the Honesdale Area Jaycees. Garnett resides in Waymart.
Project Hope At Camp UNC Registration Now Open For Summer 2026 Registration is now open for the 2026 camp season running July 6 through July 31. Project Hope provides Scranton children with transportation to UNC’s campgrounds in Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, where campers enjoy arts and crafts, sports, outdoor recreation, educational activities, and nutritious meals in a safe and supportive environment. For more than five decades, Project Hope at Camp UNC has helped create unforgettable summer experiences for local children while supporting working families throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. To learn more or register, visit www.uncnepa.org/projecthope.
University Of Scranton Nonprofit Leadership Program Accepting Applications For The 2026-27 Term The University of Scranton is accepting applications for Cohort 6 of its Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program (NLCP), which will run from January 2027 through January 2028. The deadline to apply is June 12, 2026. Applications can be submitted by visiting the Nonprofit and Community Assistance Center (NCAC) website at nepa-alliance.org/nlcp/. The NLCP, housed in the Kania School of Management, is designed to be broad-based, hands-on and practitioner-focused to help high-potential nonprofit leaders tackle the pressing leadership challenges in organizations throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Since the program’s inception in 2016, 87 nonprofit professionals from 65 regional organizations have graduated from the program. Cohort 5 included 19 community leaders who completed the program. The NLCP has created a network of high-performing individuals serving at nonprofit institutions, in addition to building an informal regional network of mentors and coaches for emerging nonprofit leaders. Douglas Boyle, DBA’88, CPA, CMA, Accounting Department chair and founder of the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program, noted the program fulfills a critical need in the region. “The NLCP creates an ecosystem for new and emerging leaders to collaborate on solving an organizational challenge and strengthening their leadership skills,” Dr. Boyle said. “The cohort-based approach assures that by building strong relationships, each participant gains a network of peers with specialized skills that they can gain insights from long after graduation. The program assists the organizations with succession planning, nurtures future collaborations with the nonprofit sector and most importantly yields strong and resilient leaders.” Sessions are led in-person by Kania School of Management faculty and peer group coaches with deep expertise in nonprofit management and practical leadership tools. The program includes work towards specific organizational and personal goals, peer group work, mentorship, and academic leadership components. For additional information, visit the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program webpage or contact one of the NLCP co-directors: Kurt Bauman at kbauman@nepa-alliance.org; Jesse Ergott at jesse.ergott@scranton.edu.
SWB RailRiders Announce YES Network To Broadcast Nine Games This Season The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are excited to announce their continued partnership with the YES Network for the 2026 season. The exclusive regional media home of the New York Yankees will broadcast nine RailRiders games this year with coverage on the YES Network and streamed on The Gotham Sports App. “The relationship between the RailRiders, Yankees and the YES Network is an incredible one,’ stated Shawn Reilly, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Team President & General Manager. “What started with ‘Homegrown: The Path to Pinstripes’ has expanded over the years to provide to tremendous coverage of the Yankees’ top affiliate. No other farm system has this support, and it gives us the opportunity to showcase PNC Field, all the fun and excitement of Minor League Baseball, and of course, the future stars of the best franchise in baseball.” 2026 YES Network RailRiders Broadcast Schedule Thursday, May 14 vs. Syracuse – 6:35 P.M. first pitch Saturday, May 16 vs. Syracuse – 6:05 P.M. first pitch Wednesday, July 1 vs. Norfolk – 7:05 P.M. first pitch Wednesday, July 22 vs. Syracuse – 7:05 P.M. first pitch Thursday, July 23 vs. Syracuse – 7:05 P.M. first pitch Thursday, August 6 vs. Rochester – 7:05 P.M. first pitch Saturday, August 22 vs. Charlotte – 6:05 P.M. first pitch Thursday, September 3 vs. Lehigh Valley – 7:05 P.M. first pitch Thursday, September 17 vs. Jacksonville – 7:05 P.M. first pitch Pregame coverage will begin five minutes before first pitch.The games will be broadcast on YES throughout the network’s regional coverage territory (New York State, Connecticut, northeastern Pennsylvania and north and central New Jersey) via video providers, as well as direct subscription on The Gotham Sports App, which is available for download on iOS, Android, Google TV, Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, Vizio, Samsung Smart TV and LG Smart TV. For more information, call (570) 969-BALL or visit www.swbrailriders.com.
Lackawanna County launches Broadband Internet Survey and Speed Test Lackawanna County is taking steps to ensure that all residents and businesses in the county can connect to high-speed and reliable internet. This initiative is part of the Lackawanna County Broadband Assessment Plan study, which is being conducted by the engineering firm HRG. The study is a multi-faceted project that will collect data and feedback over the course of several months to identify broadband service needs and focus future efforts on expanding internet service. A final study and report will outline the findings and proposed next steps with the long-term goal of ensuring reliable high-speed internet is available to everyone in the county. As part of this effort, Lackawanna County is pleased to announce the launch of the Broadband Internet Survey and Speed Test, which will be administered by HRG. Participation in the survey is crucial to gain a better understanding of the user’s experience with internet service. All residents and businesses play a key part in the survey, as the data collected helps bridge the gap in broadband coverage and informs the county of potential broadband service needs. What do residents and businesses need to do? Take the survey from your home or business using a wired or Wi-Fi connection that services your home or business. It’s important not to use your mobile phone data plan, as that will not measure your home broadband speed. At the end of the survey, a speed test will gather results on connectivity speeds. Once the speed test and survey are complete, simply click submit. Starting on Monday, April 13, the survey and speed test will be available online at https://hrggis.github.io/LackawannaBroadband/ and also on the county website at www.lackawannacounty.org Residents without internet access, or anyone unable to complete the online survey, can download a printable version from the county website or pick up a copy at their local library or municipal building. The survey will take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete and will be open through July 13, 2026. For questions or comments, or to request a hardcopy by mail or email, contact internetsurvey@lackawannacounty.org.
The University Of Scranton To Have NYT Best-Selling Author As Undergraduate Commencement Speaker Douglas Brinkley, Ph.D., a best-selling author, award-winning producer and nationally celebrated historian and scholar, will serve as the principal speaker at The University of Scranton’s 2026 undergraduate commencement ceremony. Dr. Brinkley will address Scranton’s Class of 2026 on Sunday, May 24, at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township. Dr. Brinkley’s prolific career has included authoring, editing and contributing to dozens of books and hundreds of essays. He has covered topics including American foreign policy, the presidency and the environment, as well as the lives of transformative figures such as Jack Kerouac, Rosa Parks and Hunter S. Thompson. Among Dr. Brinkley’s New York Times best-selling books are his biography of Walter Cronkite, which won Fordham University’s Ann M. Sperber Prize, and “The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” which earned the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Book Award. He also won a pair of GRAMMY awards as a co-producer of the albums “Presidential Suite” and “Fandango at the Wall in New York.” “We are honored to welcome Dr. Brinkley to Northeastern Pennsylvania, where he will address our graduating students at an important moment in their lives,” said Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president. “Dr. Brinkley has demonstrated that history, when researched with care and written with authority, can inform, inspire and endure.” Additionally, Dr. Brinkley is a leading voice in the environmental conservation and historic preservation community with service that has included board membership and advisory leadership in support of organizations at the forefront of protecting America’s natural beauty. “Dr. Brinkley’s writing invites readers to see history not as possession, but as gift, entrusted to each generation anew,” Father Marina said. “In that spirit, he has taken his words and thoughts and put them into action, advocating for the preservation of our nation’s natural and historic treasures. He reminds us that the finest form of scholarship comes when intellect and action align in service of the common good.” Dr. Brinkley was born in Atlanta, Georgia, before moving as a child to Perrysburg, Ohio. He pursued the study of U.S. history at Ohio State University and was awarded a fellowship to Georgetown University, where he immersed himself in the study of U.S. diplomatic history, and received master’s and doctorate degrees. Dr. Brinkley’s early career included faculty positions at the U.S. Naval Academy, Princeton University and Hofstra University. As part of his “American Odyssey” course at Hofstra, he traveled across the country with students to historic landmarks that shaped America. The ambitious nature of his course drew national attention with writeups in publications like The New York Times and SPIN magazine. Dr. Brinkley has since taught at the University of New Orleans and Tulane University. He is currently the Katherine Tsanoff Brown Professor in Humanities at Rice University. He is also CNN’s presidential historian and a Vanity Fair contributor. Dr. Brinkley will receive an honorary degree at the undergraduate commencement ceremony, which will be followed by the graduate commencement ceremony, also held at Mohegan Arena. Doors open at 9:45 a.m. Undergraduate commencement activities are set to begin at 11 a.m. and graduate activities at 4:30 p.m.
SBA Launches $1 Million Patriot Pitch Competition To Showcase Americas Entrepreneurs U.S. Small Business Administration recently launched the Patriot Pitch Competition, a national initiative celebrating 250 years of American free enterprise and the small businesses driving innovation, job creation, and economic growth across the country. The competition features a $1 million cash prize pool funded by Clover Network, Inc. and is open to eligible small businesses that represent American innovation and opportunity while utilizing qualifying SBA capital products. “The SBA is proud to spotlight the legacy and potential of entrepreneurship through the Patriot Pitch Competition,” said Kelly Loeffler, SBA Administrator. “This nationwide contest will award a total of $1 million in cash prizes to small businesses whose innovation, grit, and leadership are helping build America’s next great era of strength, prosperity, and competitiveness.” The Patriot Pitch Competition will include four stages of judging, with submissions evaluated on strengthening American competitiveness, innovation and industry impact, delivering economic opportunity and quality jobs, and demonstrating strong business fundamentals and execution readiness. The competition will culminate in a live finals event in Washington this September, where finalists will present before a panel of judges and a national audience for the opportunity to win a share of the prize pool. The event will also feature speakers from business, government, and industry, along with networking opportunities, supplier matchmaking, and connections with investors and policymakers. Small business owners interested in participating are encouraged to apply by June 10. Additional information regarding eligibility, competition stages, and event details can be found at SBA Freedom 250
