Marywood Alumnus and Trustee Michael E. Bugno to Chair “Celebrate Marywood” Fundraiser

Michael E. Bugno, a Marywood University alumnus and trustee, will chair Marywood University’s flagship annual fundraising event, Celebrate Marywood, on Thursday, May 1, 2025, 5:30 p.m. This vibrant event will take place outdoors in the stunning Motherhouse and Seminary Morgan Memorial Garden for a unique experience in a distinctly Marywood way. The celebration will honor Marywood former trustee Richard Kane and his wife, Erin. Dedicated community advocates, the Kanes have made remarkable contributions to Marywood and various organizations across Northeast Pennsylvania.

Mr. Bugno, formerly of Clarks Summit, is an accomplished experiential marketing and strategic global events leader, with more than 20 years of planning and executing successful corporate trade shows and events for mid-sized and Fortune 150 companies. Presently, he is the Vice President, Enterprise Experiential Marketing, for Fiserv, based in New York, N.Y.

Prior to Fiserv, Mr. Bugno held a number of leadership positions at Lectra, Food Network, and Comedy Central. He began his career at Walt Disney World, where he was involved in College & International Marketing and Recruiting. Mr. Bugno graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in theatre arts administration in 1998, and he has had a longstanding relationship with the university ever since. He received the Marywood Alumni Association Recent Graduate Award in 2004 and served as a Marywood University trustee from 2006-2015. In 2019, he again joined Marywood’s Board of Trustees. Mr. Bugno has co-chaired and/or worked on sponsorships for the Annual Community Leadership Celebration, now reimagined as Celebrate Marywood, since its inception in 2014.

Celebrate Marywood is the University’s signature fundraiser, providing special support to Marywood students and honoring individuals in the community who exemplify Marywood’s core values in leadership and service to others. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit needed campus improvements.

To join Marywood University in honoring Richard and Erin Kane, at Celebrate Marywood on May 1, please visit marywood.edu/celebratemarywood for ticket and sponsorship information, or call (570) 348-6238.

Marywood to Feature Former NFL Quarterback Ron Jaworski as Commencement Speaker

Ron Jaworski will deliver the commencement address at Marywood University’s graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

After a distinguished 17-year NFL career, with a Super Bowl appearance, Pro Bowl selection, an MVP award, and an Eagles Hall of Fame induction, the “CEO-Quarterback” Ron Jaworski has been teaching and coaching football fans on TV and radio as a multiplatform NFL analyst, with feature roles that included ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, the NFL Matchup show, NFL-branded specials, Mike & Mike in the Morning, Pardon the Interruption, ESPN’s Monday Night Football, NFL Network’s Film Sessions, and currently on Westwood One’s NFL Radio broadcast coverage, was a part of the True To Your Heart podcast, focused on cardiovascular health, and the co-host of NBC Sports Philadelphia Eagles’ Pre-Game Live and Post-Game Live.

Aside from his storied history on the football field, “Jaws” remains committed to civic activity and philanthropy and has received numerous recognitions for his community service. Ron and his wife Liz Jaworski created the Jaws Youth Playbook Foundation, which focuses on a mission to improve the overall health and wellness of at-risk youth, primarily in the Greater Philadelphia Region. Annually, Ron and his foundation have partnered with HOF Coach Mike Ditka to host the Ditka-Jaws Cigars with the Stars party every year at the Super Bowl, and the annual Ron Jaworski Celebrity Golf Challenge in South Jersey to raise money for the charity. To date, the Jaworski family is proud to have donated over $8 million to at-risk youth.

A successful entrepreneur, Jaws owns a Relationship Marketing company called Business Clubs America. In addition, he operates eight signature golf courses in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Ron is also the current celebrity spokesman for the new Live! Casino & Hotel, Philadelphia, after partnering with the Cordish Gaming group and their new landmark property in South Philadelphia.

Marywood University Library Receives ByWater Solutions Grant

Marywood University’s Library is the February 2025 winner of the ByWater Community Giveback Grant.

Each month, ByWater Solutions selects one library to be awarded $500. These funds are meant to support libraries and their communities and to fill gaps in funding to further library goals. The company is always looking for ways to give back, as a small token of thanks for all the hard work that libraries do in their communities every day. The funds from the ByWater Grant will be used to support outreach initiatives at Marywood University’s library.

Dr. Tabbi Miller-Scandle, Assistant Vice President for Research & Sponsored Programs, commented, “The use of the ByWater Grant will fund a newly created Friends of the Library board and outreach programs throughout the Spring 2025 semester. This includes an open house event for students, faculty, and staff to try out our new Oculus Meta Quest 3 virtual reality headsets, which were recently donated to the library. Another program will be held during finals week, providing snacks and resources to students as they finish the school year.”

Marywood President Emerita Sister Mary Persico Recognized with AICUP Awards

Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., Marywood President Emerita and Director of Special Projects, was among three individuals recently honored for their service by the 85-member institutions of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP).

Sister Mary, who is AICUP Chair Emeritus and has served the organization admirably in other leadership capacities, received the Francis J. Michelini Award for Outstanding Service to Higher Education, in recognition of distinguished work in higher education, particularly during her tenure at Marywood University, where she served as the 12th President from 2016-2024. Sister Mary continues to serve Marywood as President Emerita and Director of Special Projects, guiding the work of the university’s new strategic plan and its regular Middle States accreditation review process.

Earlier in the year, Sister Mary and Marywood University were recognized in the Best Opinion category of the 2025 AICUP Comm Awards with the “Distinguished Communicator” designation, given for a piece she co-authored with AICUP President Thomas P. Foley, “A College Degree Is Well Worth the Investment,” which appeared in The Scranton Times-Tribune on January 2, 2024.

The recognitions took place during the AICUP annual meeting on Monday, March 24. The award ceremony at the Hilton Harrisburg was attended by dozens of college presidents from across the Commonwealth, as well as legislators and VIP guests.

Marywood University Aviation Program Soars into Philadelphia Region

Marywood University is expanding the reach of its longstanding Aviation Management program into the Philadelphia region at Wings Field Airport (LOM), commonly known as “the Blue Bell Airport,” in the Philadelphia suburb of Blue Bell.

Established 25 years ago, Marywood’s aviation program has seen a rising demand, especially as commercial pilots retire in record numbers and a global shortage of certified pilots escalates. Now, through its partnership with Fly Gateway Aviation Institute, Marywood is extending its proven Scranton-based program into the Philadelphia area, offering students in Southeastern Pennsylvania and surrounding regions the ability to stay, learn, and train close to home.

“What Marywood University offers is a distinctive, professional, immersive aviation experience, which is more than just pilot training—students earn a business degree, in addition to flight certification, which ultimately gives them more options, greater flexibility, and better employability throughout their career,” said Captain Joseph McDonald, Director of Marywood’s Aviation Management Program and a retired American Airlines Captain. “Our partnership with Fly Gateway allows Marywood to go beyond Scranton and offer this incredible opportunity to students in the Southeastern Pennsylvania/Delaware region.”

Marywood University offers two tracks in its Aviation Management Program—one for Pilot/Flight Operations, for those who wish to become certified pilots, and another for Airline/Airport Management, for those interested in the business side of the industry. Through an all-in-one integrated program, students receive aviation-specific training with a strong business foundation, providing the leadership and management skills needed to succeed in today’s aviation industry. Students can take all non-pilot related courses online to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, while taking in-person flight courses and instruction at the Blue Bell Airport.

As part of their training, students will have access to a fleet of modern aircraft, including the 2022-2024 Piper Archer 100i. These advanced airplanes feature cutting-edge electronic displays, ensuring that students train on the latest industry technology and are well-prepared for the modern cockpit environment. Another distinctive feature of Marywood’s Aviation Management Program is the ability for those in the Pilot/Flight Operations track to fly sooner.

“At Marywood University, we believe in learning by doing. Students in our program fly during their freshman year,” said Anthony Nestico, Assistant Director of Marywood’s Aviation Management Program and a JetBlue First Officer. “Most pilot programs make them wait until their sophomore or junior year before they ever get to fly a real airplane. While we have airplane simulators to get them started, they are soon prepared and equipped to take flight in their first year.”

Marywood Hosts Alumni Spotlight Exhibition and Artist Talk

An alumni spotlight exhibition, “Representation and Figuration in The Maslow Collection,” curated by Marywood graduate Marcelle Reinecke, will take place from March 28 – May 30, 2025, in the Maslow Study Gallery for Contemporary Art, Shields Center for Visual Arts, on Marywood University’s campus.

Ann Abrons “Fall” 1990, oil on linen, 48×60” (L) | Marcelle Reinecke “In the Pines” 2024, acrylic and flashe on panel, 24×30” (R)

The exhibit will feature works by Anne Abrons, William Bailey, David Hockney, David Hornung, Bob Knox, Roy Lichtenstein, Joan Nelson, Robert Schultz, and Wayne Thiebaud.

Marcelle Reinecke, exhibit curator, will present an Artist Talk on Friday, March 28, 11 a.m., in the Maslow Study Gallery for Contemporary Art. Reinecke, a native of New Orleans, received an MFA from The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), Philadelphia, and a BFA from Marywood University, Scranton. Reinecke also completed studies at the Studio Arts College International, Florence, Italy, and was a Resident Artist at the Royal Drawing School, Dumfries House Trust, Cumnock, Scotland, U.K.

Her recent exhibitions include Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects, NY; Margot Samel, NY; The Ruffed Grouse Gallery, Narrowsburg, NY; and Monya Rowe Gallery, NY. Reinecke is represented by Monya Rowe Gallery, and lives and works in Philadelphia, PA.

The Maslow Study Gallery for Contemporary Art, located within the Shields Center for Visual Art on Marywood’s campus, is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information on Marywood art galleries, visit marywood.edu/galleries.

Marywood University Art Students Earn Addy Awards for Creative Work

Several Marywood art students earned Addy awards for their creative work from the American Advertising Federation NEPA chapter, at a ceremony held at the Mohegan Sun Convention Center on February 28. They competed against other students from Penn College of Technology, Susquehanna University, Wilkes University, and the University of Scranton.

Award categories and Marywood student winners include the following:

Judge’s Choice (both students and professionals compete for this award):

Caroline Flynn, sophomore graphic design; Jaws poster

Student Gold Addy, Best of Show (both professionals and students compete for this award) and People’s Choice:

Stephanie Klemick, senior graphic design; Fruit Cups packaging

Klemick also won the Rising Star award, given to senior students or young professionals under the age of 24 in the field, which is based on their achievements and contributions to the community. Klemick’s gold award winning entry will advance to the regional competition, with students from several states competing, and then, if she wins, she will advance to the national competition.

Student Silver Addy awards:

  • Jess Sunar, senior illustration major; illustration series
  • Julia Perpetua, senior graphic design; juice packaging
  • Lilli Millon, graduate student; Marywood strings poster
  • Sabrina Resuta, senior graphic design; chocolate packaging

Honorable mentions were awarded to:

  • Emily Duris, senior graphic design
  • Melissa Bostjancic, senior graphic design; Bostjancic was also nominated for the Rising Star Award.
  • Stephanie Klemick, senior graphic design
  • Sabrina Resuta, senior graphic design
  • Lilli Millon, graduate student

Photo ID, from left to right: Julia Perpetua, Emily Duris, Lilli Millon, Melissa Bostjancic, Stephanie Klimek, Caroline Flynn, Jess Sunar. Also recognized, but absent from the photo, was Sabrina Resuta.

Marywood University Hosts Rabbi Daniel Swartz

Rabbi Daniel Swartz to Present a Dialogue about Vocation at Marywood University

A free lecture about vocation, exploring the intersection of faith, service, and social justice, is set for 3 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, in the McGowan Conference Room, Swartz Center for Spiritual Life, on the campus of Marywood University.

Rabbi Daniel Swartz, spiritual leader of Temple Hesed in Scranton and a renowned Jewish environmental author with over 30 years of experience, will lead attendees in a conversation about answering the call to serve and dedicating their energy toward fulfillment and justice—both personally and across the entire community.

One of the major journeys many people face is the realization of their life’s purpose or vocation. The dialogue presented by Rabbi Swartz will consider vocation from the perspective of how God calls people to serve in the world, or as the type of work that one feels suited to doing, to which individuals are willing to give all their time and energy to fulfilling.

As an institution of higher education, Marywood University supports its students in identifying and developing their personal and professional vocations, encouraging them to become lifelong learners and to achieve their full potential. To learn more about Marywood University, go to marywood.edu.

Marywood University Features Art History Teaching Exhibition

The exhibition, “Art History Teaching Exhibition,” is currently running in the Maslow Study Gallery for Contemporary Art through March 19, 2025.

Featured artists include Bernd and Hilla Becher, Evelyn Hofer, Barbara Kasten, Denny Moers, Robert Rauschenberg, Dan Rizzie, and Kenneth Snelson 

Mark Webber, art history Instructor and exhibition co-curator, noted, “Given the opportunity to bring together a selection of works from the Maslow Collection, and with two courses involving art and architecture—one generally Medieval, the other specifically Greek—I enjoyed the challenge of pulling work that might refer to, or start conversations about these topics with my students.”

Webber continued, “With the help of Curator Ryan Ward, I found both direct and indirect references to structure—physical and compositional. Visitors can toy with the references to obscured artifact, improbable balance and the ongoing use of ancient architectural theme.”

The Maslow Study Gallery for Contemporary Art, located within the Shields Center for Visual Art on Marywood’s campus, is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information on Marywood art galleries, visit marywood.edu/galleries.

Marywood University Announces Its Spring Semester Music and Theatre Performances

Marywood University’s Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance has announced its schedule for performances throughout the spring semester.

The following concerts and events presented by the department are free and open to the public. If a signature event does require a modest admission fee, it will be noted in the information about the performance. Proceeds from any event that includes admission costs are used exclusively to support Marywood students’ performances.

FEBRUARY
  • February 15, 7:30 PM, Orchestra Concert, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual Life: The Marywood Orchestra’s Winter Concert features a colorful marimba concerto by the Brazilian percussionist Ney Rosauro, performed by the winner of our 2024 Marywood Concerto Competition, Ben Werle. The concerto will be paired by two masterpieces of early romanticism—Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture.
  • February 20-21-22 at 7:30 PM and February 23 at 2 PM, Musical: Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts

Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812, often simply referred to as The Great Comet, is a brilliant, thrilling, and incredibly popular new musical that had a highly succesful braodway run, starrring Josh Groban, from 2016-2017. Author and composer Dave Malloy describes Great Comet as, “an electro-pop opera ripped from a slice of Tolstoy’s War and Peace.” It’s a love story, it’s a coming-of-age story, it’s a midlife crises story, it’s classical, it’s contemporary, it’s new, it’s bold, it’s The Great Comet of 1812! Tickets are $15 for General Admission, $10 for Students, or free with a Marywood I.D. and for IHM Sister. Tickets scan be purchased online at https://marywood.universitytickets.com or in advance or at the door.

MARCH
  • March 2, 3 PM, Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts
    The Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble is affiliated with American Youth Ensembles, offering middle and high school musicians an opportunity to perform with other student instrumentalists who simply enjoy making music. They will perform a variety of repertoire ranging from traditional (transcriptions, marches and works of serious and artistic merit) to cutting-edge contemporary composition and music from popular media venues.
  • March 29 at Noon, Children’s Theatre: Hansel and Gretel, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts
    The retelling of a classic German fairy tale where siblings Hansel and Gretel find themselves alone in the forest and fall into the hands of a witch who lives in a house made of sweet treats.  Hansel and Gretel must save themselves by outsmarting the witch.

APRIL
  • April 4, 8 PM, Jazz Ambassadors Concert, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual Life
    Featuring iconic blues, funk, and swing charts – the Marywood Jazz Ambassadors in concert will explore the lasting charm of mid-century jazz with captivating arrangements, smooth style, impressive technique, and a profound dedication to the blues.

  • April 5, 7:30 PM, Wyoming Seminary Civic Orchestra Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts
    Wyoming Seminary Civic Orchestra’s spring concert will feature two French works: Ernest Chausson’s Symphony in B-flat, considered the composer’s greatest masterpiece, and the charming suite “Feuillets de Voyage” by Florent Schmitt.

  • April 6, 3 PM, Wyoming Seminary Civic Orchestra Concert, Kirby Center for Creative Arts, Wyoming Seminary
    Wyoming Seminary Civic Orchestra’s spring concert will feature two French works: Ernest Chausson’s Symphony in B-flat, considered the composer’s greatest masterpiece, and the charming suite “Feuillets de Voyage” by Florent Schmitt.

  • April 13, 2 PM, Tutti Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts
    Music has the power to inspire, connect, and heal, which is exactly what the Tutti Ensemble is all about. Since 2016, Marywood University’s music therapy and music education students have collaborated to make this innovative adaptive music program possible, empowering individuals with diverse abilities to make music together. This semester’s free concert is especially meaningful, as it takes place during World Music Therapy Week. Celebrate the incredible achievements of our ensemble members as they showcase their talents, and enjoy a special interactive lobby experience to learn more about the transformative power of music therapy.

  • April 13, 4 PM, Wind Symphony Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts
    Marywood’s Wind Ensemble performs literature by Samuel Hazo, John Barnes Chance, Frank Ticheli, and others. A special highlight of the concert will be a performance of “My Life Flashed Before My Eyes,” by Marywood’s own, Dr Diogo Carvalho

  • April 25, 7:30 PM, Carmina Burana, with the Marywood Concert Choir and Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, at the F. M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA 
    The Marywood Concert Choir will join forces with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic to present one of the most popular and exciting musical works for chorus and orchestra, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. Visit nepaphil.org to purchase tickets for this not-to-be-missed event.

  • April 27, 7 PM, Percussion Ensemble Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts
    The Marywood University Percussion Ensemble, directed by Steven Mathiesen, will present a free program of chamber music for percussion instruments. The program will include works by Alejandro Rutty, Chick Corea, and arrangements by Clair Musser of works by Anton Rubinstein and Albert Ketelbey.

  • April 28, 7:30 PM, String Ensemble Concert, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual Life
    The University String Ensemble will give a free performance of Bloch’s Concerto Grosso for strings and piano and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3.

  • April 29, 7:30 PM, Evening Of Strings, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual Life
    Marywood String Majors will give a free performance of solo music for violin, viola, cello, and bass.

MAY
  • May 3, 7 PM, Guitar Ensemble Concert, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual Life
    An Intimate Latin Night With the Marywood Guitar Program, with Marywood’s Guitar Ensemble, Beginning Guitar Class, and String Project Guitar, features Latin music from around the world, including Gabriel Fauré’s Pavane and Maddalena Casulana’s Amor per qual cagion.

  • May 4, 2 PM, Chamber Singers Concert, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual Life
    Before embarking on its spring tour to Florida, Chamber Singers will present a free concert that includes motets by Orlando di Lasso and sacred and secular music from the American, English, and Eastern European choral traditions, as well as vocal jazz.
  • May 5, 6:30 PM, String Project Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts
    String Project Spring Gala Concert, featuring Grammy-nominated guest artist, Nick Revel. This will be a culmination of a semester-long project exploring and creating new forms of notation and composition with students ages 4-18 and Marywood string students.

  • 5/9/2025, 7:30 PM, Orchestra Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts
    The Marywood Orchestra’s season finale features two Marywood string faculty, Sophie Till and Christiane Vaida, on the Double Concerto of Johannes Brahms.