November 17, 2009

Diversity Fair Showcases the Many Faces of Scranton

Fall 2009 Lectures on YouTube

Film Festival Commemorates Fall of Berlin Wall

Bestselling Author Discusses "The Mental Athlete"

General News

• The 3rd Annual Blessing of the Books is Underway

  • We are requesting donations of new and gently used books for toddlers through young teen years.  If books have been a blessing In your life, please consider donating a book as a way to pass the blessing on to others.  The generosity of The University of Scranton community in the 2007 and 2008 Blessing of the Books enabled the distribution of over 3,200 books to needy children in our local community and beyond.

    Purple donation boxes are located on the first floor of: McGurrin, Leahy, Hyland, STT, Library, DeNaples, Condron and in the EXSC wing of the Long Center.  If you want to personalize your donated book, bookplates for that purpose can be found in the donation boxes.

    Please join us on December 1 at 3:30 pm, McGurrin Lobby, as Father Scott Pilarz, S.J. blesses the collected books prior to their distribution. 

    If you have questions or prefer to have books picked up from your office, please contact student
    coordinators Michele Wall wallm3@scranton.edu or Colin Holmes  holmesc2@scranton.edu.
    

• University Advent Liturgy and Tree Lighting
  • Sunday, November 29th at 5:00 PM, Byron Center

    All members of the University Community are invited to attend this annual tradition of celebrating the First Sunday of Advent.  The liturgy concludes with a candlelit procession to the Dionne Green for the lighting of the Christmas Tree.  Students returning to campus from Thanksgiving break are encouraged to invite their families to the Mass.

    Contact: Office of University Ministries

    email: universityministries@scranton.edu

    phone: 941-7419
• Community Outreach Volunteer Opportunities

  • November 4-Dec 1 - Cut out ornaments for The Giving Tree at the U ofS.  Contact Mike Wiencek in the Community Outreach Office, at wiencekm2@scranton.edu. Flexible times.

    November & December- various dates.  Help answer phones with pledges for WVIA public TV.  Your own transportation necessary to Pittston.  Contact cristinmarcy@wvia.org

    November 12-30.  Write holiday cards to soldiers.  Must be mailed by Dec 1.  Contact lettersforiraq@yahoo.com for address and mailing info.

    November 19 - 23– United Neighborhood Centers needs help stocking their pantry shelves.  1:00-5:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.  Great for groups, as 10-15 are needed at a time.  Contact Stephanie Salinis at saliniss2@scranton.edu

    November 20 – Spanish translators for calling families for Thanksgiving food baskets.  2:00-4:00 p.m.  Community Outreach office, contact Ellen Judge @ judgee2@scranton.edu

    November 21 – The Greater Scranton Jaycees Santa Parade needs balloon carriers, traffic helpers, sign holders, etc.  7:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. in downtown Scranton.   This is an outdoor event.  Dress appropriately. Volunteers meet at the Scranton Job Center at Franklin and Spruce (there will be a tent where the volunteer coordinator will be set up).  More info contact president@scrantonjaycees.org

    November 22 – Community Outreach Thanksgiving Food Baskets.  Help put baskets together from 10:00 a.m. –noon in DeNaples.  1:00 p.m. to ? Deliver baskets to families in need.  Drivers with their own car a plus.  Contact Pat Vaccaro @ vaccarop1@scranton.edu

    November 22- CCHF Perkey Turkey 5K run with Compassionate Care Hospice.  From 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., help set up, clean up event, hand out snacks, run around!  Contact Becky Klepadlo at bklepadlo@cchnet.net

    November 24- Friends of the Poor Thanksgiving Dinner at the Scranton Cultural Center.  Peel potatoes, set and decorate tables, carve, serve and carry, clean up.  9:30-a.m.-9:00 p.m.  Contact 570-348-4428.

    November 25- Family to Family Thanksgiving Basket giveaway at the Scranton Cultural Center.  Unload trucks, basket packers, distributors.  6:00 a.m.-2pm.  Contact 570-348-4428.•        

    November 27th – Dec 24 -  Holiday Gift Wrap for UCP.  Individuals and groups are welcome to sign up. Viewmont Mall.  The booth opens daily at noon. Contact 570-347-3357 or email ucpnepa@epix.net.•       

    November 27th – Dec 24. Christmas Gift Wrap Program at Steamtown Mall needs individuals/groups between 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. to benefit Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.   Contact Pamela at Pamela.formica@lls.org

    December 4, 5, 7 &10- EOTC needs elves for their Toyland workshop where kids shop for their families.  Set up and tear down workshop, test out the toys.  Contact Carlene at cgula-eotc@verizon.net

    December 6- The Community Outreach office is hosting a Holiday Party for agency children from 1-4pm.  Help decorate the Ballroom, serve food, do a craft table, help with Santa pictures, assist with sing a long.  Contact Ellen Judge at judgee2@scranton.edu

    For more information on any of these opportunities, please stop by or call The Community Outreach Office at 570-941-7429, DeNaples 205B.

• IEEE Meeting
  • Thursday, November 19

    12:00 - 12:50 in St. Thomas Hall, Room 292

    Free lunch at 11:45am

    Hear from Mike Zablocky, VP R/D & Engineering of Pride Mobility Products

    "Joy of Engineering Design - Solid Works" 

    Campus-wide event - Everyone welcome

    The Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a  program that provides students with the opportunity not only to participate in a campus wide event in the form of an IEEE seminar 

    series (presentations by distinguished scientists, community business  leaders, as well as our alumni and various employers/prospective job  companies), but also as a time and place to pursue the club agenda, 

    professional development and networking. 
• The University of Scranton Concert Band

  • Saturday, November 21, 2009
    7:30 p.m.
    Houlihan McLean Center

    Admission FREE
    The evening's program includes music written by composers from a variety of Eastern European traditions, including works by Rimsky Korsakov, Gliere, Shostakovich, Tschesnokoff, Tchaikovsky, Borodin, and Nelhybel. This year celebrates the 90th anniversary of the birth of Vaclav Nelhybel, who was composer-in-residence at the university at the time of his death in 1996, and whose more than 700 works in both manuscript and published form are housed in The Nelhybel Collection at The University of Scranton.
    The University of Scranton Concert Band is an 80 member ensemble, with students from majors spanning the curriculum all brought together by their shared commitment to making music.

• Annual Intersession Ski/Snowboard Trip!

  • The University of Scranton Mountain Sports Club is going to Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, NY for our Annual Intersession Ski/Snowboard trip!  We will depart from Scranton on January 5th and return January 8th.  The trip includes 2 days of skiing/snowboarding at Whiteface Mountain, 3 nights at the High Peaks Resort in Lake Placid, and transportation to and from Lake Placid.  The cost of the trip is $260.  This trip is open to University of Scranton students, faculty, and staff.  For more information or to reserve a spot, please contact Lauren Hahn, MSC treasurer, at hahnL4@scranton.edu.

• Math Spiral

  • Please join us for Math SPIRAL, Students and Professors InteRacting And Learning, this Wednesday, November 19, 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Math Lab, St. Thomas 161.  This week senior math major Amanda Jones will describe RSA and Public Key Encryption.  All disciplines are welcome and refreshments will be served!   Contact Dr. Jennifer Franko at frankoj2@scranton.edu or x 6113 for more details.
    

Faculty and Staff News

• Staff Senate Website Update

  • The Staff Senate website www.scranton.edu/staffsenate has been updated with a new page titled "Meeting Minutes" located at the left hand navigation.  The new Meeting Minutes page contains links to PDF versions of minutes from all previous Staff Senate meetings since April 9, 2008.  If you're interested in the activities of the Staff Senate, feel free to browse the newly posted information.

• IT Fall Forum

  • The next IT Forum for the Fall 2009 semester is scheduled for Tuesday, November 24, 2009 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Rose Room, Brennan Hall Room 509.  Our focus this month will be on Microsoft’s latest operating system Windows 7.

    Topics will include: 

    Windows 7 Product Comparisons

    Overview and Features

    Deployment & Support plan for Offices and ResNet

    Home Options – Which version and Where to buy it

    Windows 7 Tips & Tricks

    All members of our community are encouraged to attend.

    Lunch will be served.  You might also win one of several prizes!

    Registration is required by emailing ITServices@scranton.edu
    

• The Committee on the Status of Women Open Forum
  • The Committee on the Status of Women will be having an Open Forum on Thursday, November 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the PNC Bank Board Room, Brennan 500.  Information was sent to all female employees, but we welcome male attendees, as well.  The topic is COMMUNITY SAFETY, an issue with which we are all concerned.  Mr. Timothy Briggs, Public Safety, will be the presenter.  If you have any questions you want discussed, you can: 1) send them prior to the forum to Dr. Marian Farrell, 2) deposit them in a box at the site, or 3) ask them at the time of the presentation.  Lunch will be provided.  Space is limited.  Please send your reservation ASAP to farrellm1@scranton.edu
    
• Spring Concert Anyone?

  • USPB 2010 Spring Concert 2nd Survey

    You chose Jack's Mannequin last year; now help us decide who will be performing at the USPB 2010 Spring Concert!

    Vote on the 2nd survey by logging onto my.scranton.The survey will be available from Monday November 16th to Monday November 30th at 11:59 p.m..

    Don’t be worried if your favorite artist was on the first survey and not on the second, they may still have a chance!

    This concert is for everyone at the U; so vote and make it your own!!

    Questions: Contact x6233 or visit us in the Student Forum on DeNaples 2nd Floor.

Student News

• 2009 DAVID A. LONG SCHOLARSHIP

  • $2,000
    AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION
    PENNSYLVANIA SECTION
    
    The Pennsylvania Section of the AWWA encourages study in fields
    relating to the water supply industry and is offering $2,000
    scholarships to eligible students. Students are eligible to apply if:
    1.    They have completed one semester of the college junior year or
    they are a college senior or graduate level student.
    2.    They are pursuing or planning to pursue a degree in
    engineering, biology, chemistry, business administration or other
    field which may lead to a career in the water supply industry.
    3.    They are attending a Pennsylvania college or maintain a
    permanent residence in Pennsylvania.
    Additional information can be obtained by contacting the PA-AWWA
    Office, PO Box D, New Cumberland, PA 17070; phone (717) 774-8870; fax
    (717) 774-0288; or E-mail paawwa@paaawwa.org.
    Applications are also available in the Financial aid Office.
    DEADLINE: February 5, 2010

• Summer Study Abroad in Florence Italy

  • Drs. Virginia Picchietti and Marzia Caporale of the Department of World
    Languages and Cultures are happy to announce the Summer Study Abroad in
    Florence, Italy, in June 2010. Students will enroll in courses and live
    in Florence for the duration of the program. The program will also
    include day trips to other exciting Italian destinations. Applicants
    must be in good standing at the University of Scranton and must meet GPA
    requirements.  Applications due on or before December 1. For more
    information, please contact Dr. Picchietti at picchiettv1 or Dr.
    Caporale at caporalem2. 
    

• Residence Hall Thanksgiving Schedule

  • On Campus Houses, Apartments and Residence Halls Close on Wednesday,
    November 25 at Noon for Thanksgiving Break.
    On Campus Housing re-opens on Sunday, November 29 at Noon.

    Dining Information -
    The Fresh Food Company (3rd Floor of DeNaples) closes on Tuesday,
    November 24 at 2:30 p.m. and re-opens on Sunday, November 29 at  4:45 p.m.
    The 1st floor Food Court and Convenience Store closes on Wednesday,
    November 25  at 2:00 p.m. and opens on Sunday, November 29 at 4:00 p.m..
    
    All residents are required to complete the following closing procedures -
    *Clean your room (i.e. remove trash/clean out personal refrigerators).
    *Remove any items that may spoil over break (i.e. milk, bread, etc.).
    *Close and lock all windows.
    *Pull down and close blinds.
    *Turn off all lights.
    *Close and lock room door.
    *Last person to leave, sign the "We're Outta Here" form and place on the
    outside of the door.
    
    Residents are not permitted to stay on campus during the Thanksgiving
    Break.  Contact res-life@scranton.edu if you have questions

• Wondering what to do with that extra meal swipe?

  • Want to help others enjoy a wholesome meal?
    Share a Swipe!
    It’s easy!  Here’s how:
    
    1) Choose a swipe to donate (lunch or dinner of that day)*

    2) Email your NAME, ROYAL NUMBER, and MEAL SWIPE you wish to donate to
    EFFORTteam@gmail.com by 4pm on November 23

    3) Your swipe will not work for your donated meal; commit to using flex
    instead
    The monetary equivalent of your donated swipe will benefit the Leahy
    Community Health and Family Center food pantry.

    *Sorry, those on the Unlimited meal plan are not able to donate
    
    

• Writing Center

  • Center for Teaching & Learning Excellence
    St. Thomas Hall, Harper-McGinnis Wing, Room 588
    941-6147

    You can meet with a writing consultant during all stages of the writing process.

    Schedule an appointment to brainstorm your next writing project at the Writing Center

    Do it early in the writing process so you can revisit the Writing Center with your various drafts

    Visit the Writing Center often and regularly.

• USPB Coffeehouse
  • This event is FREE to students! Graham Colton will be performing at 8:00 p.m.  in the DeNaples Theater on Tuesday November 17th for the University. If you have any questions contact Jessica Palmeri palmerij2@scranton.edu or Will Mascio at masciow2@scranton.edu or the Student Forum at X 6233. 
    
• USPB Open Mic
  • Join us for USPB Publicity's first event of the semester to hear your fellow students at our Open Mic night on Thursday November 19th at 7:30 till 10:00 p.m.  If you have any questions contact Kevin Giblin at giblink2@scranton.edu or the Student Forum at X 6233.
    
• USPB Royal Ball

  • Join us to dance the night away at the Royal Ball – Saturday, November 21st from  7 p.m. till 11 p.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom, 4th floor DeNaples Ballroom. This year's theme is 'Under the Sea'. Ticket sales are on the 2nd floor of the DeNaples Center November 16-20th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and again from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wear your formal wear!  If you have any questions contact Danielle Corapi at corapid2@scranton.edu or Kira Wagner at wagnerk2@scranton.edu or the Student Forum at X 6233.
    

• USPB Mission & Identity

  • USPB Mission and Identity along with many other University organizations present Post Secret: An Evening with America's Most Trusted Stranger. This is a FREE event to the University of Scranton Community. The Educational Lecture will be held in the McIlhenny Ballroom, 4th floor DeNaples Center from 7:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m. Frank shares the inspirational and funny stories behind some of the quarter million secrets he's received on postcards. Refer to the News & Notes section of our homepage or the Announcements section on my.scranton for ticket information. If you have any questions contact Elyse McCabe at  mccabee2@scranton.edu or Mark Wehrenberg at wehrenbergm2@scranton.edu or the Student Forum at X 6233.
    

• Tuition Raffle

  • The University of Scranton Seniors Programmers would like to remind you that the Tuition Raffle is still going on!  Entries can be purchased and sent in until Friday November 20th.  The winning raffle ticket will be pulled during Christmas on the Commons on Sunday November 29th.  Contact the USPB office in the DeNaples Student Forum 205Q X 6233 or Analiese Crosby at crosbya2@scranton.edu for more information or to obtain more raffle tickets.

    Don't forget to visit out website at www.uspb.org.

• Information Session on Alternative Spring Break Trips
  • The Community Outreach Office will be conducting an information session on Thursday, November 19 from 12-12:45 p.m. in the Moskovitz Theater, 4th Floor DeNaples for Alternative Spring Break Trips (3/13-3/20).  Trips this year are being planned for SanDiego CA, Chicago IL, Philadelphia PA and KY.  Volunteers will be doing work with homeless outreach, housing rehab, at risk youth, and social justice issues.  Applications will be handed out at the meeting and participants will chosen by lottery.  Items of discussion will be costs, transportation, waivers, fundraising, etc.  For more information, please contact Pat Vaccaro at vaccarop1@scranton.edu or by stopping by The Community Outreach Office, DeNaples 205B.
     
    
• SIFE To Host "Ethics in Advertising" Seminar
  • Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) will be hosting an "Ethics in
    Advertising" Seminar on Friday, November 20th  from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  A panel of guests from the advertising industry  will speak to students about
    ethical decisions facing advertising industry.  The event will take place in the Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center room 401.  All are invited to attend this event
    Anyone with questions may e-mail ritinskik2@scranton.edu
    
    

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