Marywood University Wraps Up Its “Making Spirits Bright” Campaign Successfully Marywood University’s answer to encouraging prayer, sharing gifts, and uplifting people through November and through New Year’s Day is a success. Marywood University began its festivities in November with its “Making Spirits Bright,” initiative, prior to students leaving campus to finish the remainder of their semesters online. The students desire to help plan and share in the holiday event, which has become such a special part of their Marywood experience, was the catalyst for campus representatives to gather with students and find creative, community-minded solutions. The timeline also connected to the spirit of Marywood’s sponsors, the IHM Congregation, who celebrate their Founders’ Month in November. Marywood University’s Community Christmas Card Writing project yielded nearly 5,500 Christmas cards that were delivered to 18 different groups locally, nationally and internationally. Participants included 17 clubs and campus organizations, 2 athletic teams, 21 additional individual students, 58 staff members, 20 departments, 5 faculty, 1 retiree, the retired IHM sisters living at Our Lady of Peace residence, and 97 students at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Elementary School, Dunmore, Pa. Recipients of the Community Christmas Card Writing project included Marywood Heights residents, Our Lady of Peace residents and staff, NativityMiguel School students and staff, the Gino Merli Veterans Centers residents and staff, St. Francis Commons residents and staff, Regional Hospital staff, Moses Taylor Hospital staff, Geisinger CMC staff, St. Joseph’s Center residents and staff, Friends of the Poor staff, the children in Big Friends Little Friends after-school program, and active/deployed military members. Marywood University also collected a record number of gifts this year, thanks to the generosity of the “Making Spirits Bright” initiative. More than 160 gifts were provided to local children/teens through Friends of the Poor, 73 gifts were provided to Marywood Heights residents, and 146 items for persons experiencing homelessness were donated to the Keystone Rescue Mission. Marywood University’s “Making Spirits Bright” kicked off its campaign with an Outdoor Tree Lighting and Blessing of Nativity. Student groups typically create ornaments for the tree, but, since it was an outdoor event this year, the student organizations decided to participate in campus decorating efforts with Marywood’s Grounds/Maintenance staff. Campus decorating was completed by 18 volunteers who contributed 54 hours of service to decorate campus. Marywood University continues its “Making Spirits Bright” project through New Year’s Day. The “Light Up Campus” drive through light display will remain in place through the New Year. Additionally, Marywood University’s award-winning, student-run radio station, WMFM 91.7, will continue its traditional community gift of broadcasting commercial-free Christmas music, 24/7 through News Year’s Eve. And, Marywood University’s concerts, events, mass, and chats can be accessed, at youtube.com/watch?list=PLNBU0ru7D18C-3quPrCUVwxt2FTeHZD6I&v=r_pZAXVqVO4&feature=emb_title. To check out all of Marywood University’s “Making Spirits Bright” initiatives, please visit marywood.edu/article/2020-Making-Spirits-Bright.
Marywood University’s Student Health Services Take Steps to Stop the Impact of Covid-19 on Its Campus Marywood University’s Student Health Services staff are doing their part in limiting the spread of COVID-19. With the help of Geisinger Health System and The Wright Center, Stephanie Jennings, CRNP, and Maura Smith, RN, director of Student Health Services at Marywood University, have received the first of the two doses in the vaccination process. Ms. Jennings received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, and will receive the second dose on January 12, while Mrs. Smith received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, and will receive her second dose on February 1, 2021. Mrs. Smith said, “Neither I or Stephanie had any side effects following our vaccines, other than the side effect of hope. The sooner we can stop the spread, the sooner we can stop the impact on our campus community and beyond.” Ms. Jennings, who works per diem with Geisinger Health System, was able to get inoculated through work, and The Wright Center is offering vaccines to those who are working in the healthcare field, which is how Mrs. Smith received her vaccine. Mrs. Smith said, “We [Marywood University] hope to have a clinic on campus through a local pharmacy for the COVID-19 vaccines, similar to what we [Marywood University] offer to the campus community for flu shots, in the near future.”
Marywood University Offers Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate Program Marywood University’s Office of Institutional Equity and Inclusion (OEI) recently announced that it will offer a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Certificate Program for staff and faculty members. The DEI Certificate Program is a cohort model designed to increase the level of awareness, understanding, and action for equity by creating an inclusive community that reinforces the University’s core values and mission. Attendees of the DEI Certificate Program will attend at least five DEI workshops and/or events, submit a diversity statement, present a reflective portfolio/e-portfolio; and participate in an Intercultural Development Inventory Assessment. The program will be offered in the fall and spring semesters beginning the week of January 18, 2021, with competition of the certificate to occur one calendar year from the chosen start. Continuing education and ACT 48 credits are available where applicable. DEI represents a healthy campus climate at Marywood that proactively prepares students for the global marketplace and faculty and staff to be leaders for inclusive excellence. The overarching goal of this certificate is to foster active engagement of Marywood’s faculty and staff with its student body and to promote an environment of opportunity and success for all members on campus. Participants who obtain the certificate will gain the competencies necessary to enact systemic change at Marywood and in higher education. For additional information about Marywood University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate Program, please contact Yerodin Lucas, Ph.D., director of the office of institutional equity and inclusion and Title IX coordinator, at ylucas@marywood.edu.
