Marywood University News

Marywood University Designated as a PA Hunger-Free+ Campus

Marywood University has been designated as a Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus+ by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for a two-year period, in recognition of its leadership in the area of college student food security.

The Shapiro Administration recognizes Pennsylvania colleges and universities that are considered leaders in the effort to alleviate hunger and food insecurity among college students. Food insecurity is a growing concern on college campuses throughout the country. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education website, over one-third of students know someone who dropped out of college due to food insecurity during the pandemic. Roughly 52 percent of students who faced food or housing insecurity in 2020 did not apply for support, because they did not know how.

Marywood’s local response to this nationwide issue is the Pacer Pantry, a name chosen by Marywood students, to benefit students and staff who may struggle with food insecurity. Various departments, deans, faculty members, student groups, and Friends of the Poor (a sponsored ministry of the IHM Congregation) collaborated to make the Pacer Pantry a reality, and it opened in February 2020.

Marywood University has been recognized for connecting students to food options through the Pacer Pantry on campus, through local community-based food pantries, and other food delivery programs, as well as increasing awareness of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility for students, focusing SNAP outreach on potentially eligible students, and helping students apply for SNAP and other benefits. Additionally, Marywood operates a task force to address basic needs, including hunger, and raising awareness among students using a lens of equity, inclusion, and belonging.

The Hunger-Free+ Campus designation also qualifies Marywood to apply for the PA Hunger-Free Campus grant program, to help further expand university efforts to alleviate food insecurity.

Marywood University Announces a New Master of Architecture Program

Marywood University has established a new Master of Architecture degree (M.Arch). Students with an interest in the program can apply now for a Fall 2024 start.

Part of Marywood University’s nationally renowned School of Architecture, the M.Arch degree program is intended for students who will pursue a career as a licensed architect. Accordingly, Marywood’s Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program is following in the footsteps of its Bachelor of Architecture degree, which is fully accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

“The Marywood University School of Architecture values conceptual & formal clarity, disciplinary consciousness, social agency, and material speculation to achieve its overarching priority that lies in design’s ability to act for the common good of the communities it serves,” noted James Eckler, M.ARCH, MSAS, director of Marywood’s School of Architecture.

Mr. Eckler explained that architecture graduate students adhere to a scaffolded curriculum embodying these values, as it prepares them for professional practice that integrates building technologies, environmental design, hybrid representation, fabrication, history and theory. Students can choose from a robust body of elective opportunities within this structure, to define their own areas of specialized interest.

Several advanced standing pathways through the M.Arch program are available to prospective graduate students, including those with an undergraduate degree in architecture, interior architecture, interior design, or allied disciplines, such as architectural engineering.

For additional information about Marywood University’s master’s degree in architecture, please visit marywood.edu/architecture-masters-degree.

Marywood University’s Illustration Program Ranked Among Top Nationally

Marywood University is proud to announce that its illustration program has attained noteworthy placements among the top programs in the state, region, and nation in the 2023 Illustration School Rankings. This marks the 5^th annual ranking for illustration schools. Nearly 150 schools with illustration programs were considered from across the United States.

Marywood’s illustration program was recognized as #5 in Pennsylvania, #17 in the East, and #50 nationally overall, putting it in the top 40% of schools evaluated.

Marywood University offers a rigorous curriculum in illustration at undergraduate and graduate levels. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, as well as opportunities to showcase their work through exhibitions and other professional development opportunities.

The 2023 Illustration School Rankings were published by Animation Career Review, a leading online resource for individuals interested in pursuing careers in animation and related fields. The rankings are based on a variety of factors, including academic reputation, admissions selectivity, program offerings, and faculty credentials.

Marywood University offers both BFA and MFA degree programs in illustration. For more information, go to marywood.edu/illustration-studio-arts-bachelors-degree for the BFA program and to marywood.edu/visual-arts-graphic-design-illustration-masters-degree for the MFA program.

Marywood Art Students Design Scranton Fringe Festival Website

The Scranton Fringe Festival website has a new look, thanks to the creative work and volunteer service of graphic design students at Marywood University.

In the spring, Marywood graphic design majors in the Art 441I: Interactive Design II class, taught by Sue Jenkins, MFA, associate professor of art, completed a service learning project to design and develop the new website for the local arts event, which is scheduled to take place this year from September 28-October 7. Launched at the end of May, the site features two new levels of Fringe Membership, a new event system, a bunch of chickens (explained on the site’s About page), and interesting news about the events and programming at the Scranton Fringe Festival.

Conor O’Brien, co-founder and executive director of Scranton Fringe, appreciated the Marywood University students’ willingness to volunteer on the project. “They gave it a full facelift and helped us integrate a lot of exciting new features,” said Mr. O’Brien. “It took hours and hours and hours of work, and everyone at Team Fringe is extremely grateful! A special thank you to Posture Interactive, who has been supporting us for years and who assisted with the new site launch as well.”

Scranton Fringe is an award-winning arts organization producing innovative work since 2015, dedicated to creating a bold, engaging platform for thought-provoking art while striving to promote Northeast Pennsylvania as a viable creative environment. Inspired by the world’s largest annual event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the organization has grown into an incubator of unique creative work centered around the performing arts.