2010-2011 Annual Report

sister-anne-munley-headshot copy 2.jpeg

Dear Friends,

We've embarked on an exciting journey, as our "Road to the Centennial" of Marywood University stretches before us. Speaking of roads, I want to share with you the new campus road names. Each has a specific tie to the history of Marywood or the IHM Congregation. As we approach Marywood's Centennial in 2015, we celebrate our cherished history in myriad ways, recognizing those who provided the strong foundation that still supports our progress today.

You are a significant part of that progress. It's never too early to anticipate something so monumental, not just for history's sake, but because our decisions about programs, development, research, and other areas of the University's sustainability make such a profound impact on the students we serve, both now and in the future. I know you will join me in this excitement, continuing to partner with Marywood University in meaningful ways as we move forward.

Our mission and core values are a central part of all we do. By actively living the tenets of each, we can continue and build upon that wondrous path our founders and leaders began. So, as we move forward, you will notice that our major accomplishments reflect, integrate, and celebrate:

Catholic identity
Respect for each person
Empowerment
Service
Commitment to excellence

Marywood University continues to demonstrate that "living responsibly in an interdependent world" is more than just catch phrase: it is our vibrant mission, a way of life that requires critical thinking and ethical decision-making on the part of each individual. I hope you enjoy our online-only, "green" President's Report, now our standard presentation of annual highlights and benefactor recognition, which reduces our use of paper products and advances our ongoing efforts to cultivate and practice environmental stewardship.

I am deeply grateful for the remarkable support you have shown and continue to affirm on behalf of Marywood University. Even during challenging economic times, you have chosen to step up and ensure that the important work we do continues to make a difference in the lives of so many.

Let us continue to share that impressive Marywood story!

Sincerely,

Sister Anne Munley, IHM, Ph.D. ’66

President of the University

A grant from the Overlook Estate Foundation supported efforts to create and sustain a 26-plot Community Garden for the Marywood Community on the reclaimed brownfield site on campus during the summer of 2010. The garden has become an annual initiative. It preserves green spaces and natural resources, connects people with nature, advances environmental stewardship, and unities communities.

A forum, Marcellus Shale: Opportunities and Challenges, was presented on August 19, 2010, at Marywood University. The event featured a panel of university professors, industry executives, and local and state officials, as well as U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. More than 300 citizens filled the large room, and a web chat line was also utilized. The discussion focused on the rewards and dangers, as well as the pros and cons, surrounding the Marcellus Shale issue.

Marywood University and WeCar by Enterprise Rent-A-Car have partnered to provide a cost-effective and convenient car-sharing solution for Marywood students, faculty, and staff. This new, environmentally friendly transportation solution, which helps remove vehicles from the road to reduce emissions and traffic, is available around-the clock. The WeCar Program at Marywood helps members achieve their personal sustainability goals and adds to the University's sustainability portfolio.

New road signs were installed around campus, and each name has a specific tie to the history of Marywood or the IHM Congregation. While celebrating the institution's cherished history, the names of the campus roads also recognize those who provided the strong foundation that still supports our progress today.

At the start of the 2010-2011 academic year, a total of 24 new faculty members and three new administrators became part of the Marywood community. Marywood welcomed its largest incoming class ever—1,083 students, which included 654 undergraduate and 429 graduate students. At that point, there was an overall fall enrollment of 3,468 students, consisting of 2,264 undergraduate students and 1,204 graduate students. In 2010-2011, nearly half of Marywood's undergraduates—46 percent or 1031 students—resided on campus.

The Fall Convocation featured speaker Dalton Conley, author of the book Honky, which was required reading for University 100 classes in both 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. A Professor of the Social Sciences and Chair of Sociology at New York University, Conley studies sibling differences in socioeconomic success; racial inequalities; the salience of physical appearance to economic status; the measurement of class; and how health and biology affect (and are affected by) social position.

Marywood University's School of Social Work was awarded the Catholic Charities USA Centennial Medal in the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. The award recognized Marywood's contributions to the reduction of poverty in the United States and its commitment to the principles of Catholic Charities USA. The Marywood University School of Social Work is the leading provider of social work education in Northeast Pennsylvania, having educated more than 4,000 MSW and 500 BSW social workers since 1969.

Marywood University dedicated a new Aquatics Center and Woodland Residence Facilities II during the 2010-2011 academic year. Dedicated on October 22, 2010, the new residence facilities accommodate Marywood's growing student population. The new Aquatics Center provides recreation and competitive opportunities for the campus community, as well as for regional schools and organizations. It was dedicated on April 15, 2011. The new Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving teams began competition in October 2010, prior to the Center's opening.

Presidential Medals were awarded to community leaders who have made a positive difference on local, national, and international levels. In 2010, these medals were awarded to members of the Fricchione Family (local); sanofi Pasteur US (national); and, posthumously, to Laurie Mezzalingua (international). The medals were presented on October 23, 2010, at the 2015 Society Dinner, held on Marywood's campus, which honors the philanthropic support of the University's most generous benefactors.

Reflecting Marywood University's core value of service, students performed approximately 67,000 hours of service during 2010-2011.

Student, faculty and staff volunteers delivered Thanksgiving meals to 160 families registered through United Neighborhood Centers and the Christmas Giving Tree program enabled more than 400 gifts to be donated to: Friends of the Poor; United Neighborhood Centers; Our Lady of Peace, the Holy Family Residences and other agencies; students also shipped candy and snacks for 150 men and women serving in Iraq.

Students in Marywood's School of Architecture continue to give back to the community through several service endeavors, including building toys for donation, community theater projects, and museum exhibits. Graduate students in the program have proposed redesign ideas for underutilized buildings in Scranton and have designed a therapy garden for St. Joseph's Center.

A Communication Arts Symposium, "The Changing Art of Communication: Bringing the Vision of the Future," was held on campus, featuring distinguished Marywood University alumni, faculty, and friends with a wealth of experience in the communications industry.

Reverend Richard Frechette, C.P., D.O., a Passionist priest and physician who serves as the Director of Medical Services, Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos International, was the keynote speaker at Marywood University's Commencement on Sunday, May 8, 2011. Rev. Frechette, known as Father Rick, was given an honorary doctorate. Also recognized with honorary doctorates during the ceremony were Reverend Thomas J. O'Hara, retired President of King's College, Wilkes-Barre, PA, and Reverend Scott R. Pilarz, S.J. Ph.D., who served as the 24th President of the University of Scranton. Rev. Pilarz is now the 23rd President of Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI.

The Marywood University Physician Assistant Program was awarded a $704,000 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Only one of 40 programs to be granted nationwide, Marywood's PA program used the funding to establish scholarships. These scholarships, awarded over a four-year period, aim to increase the number of primary care physician assistants within our regional communities, allowing for more affordable health care to both the uninsured and the under-insured.

Approximately 39,000 students, staff and Recreation Association members used the Mellow Center from July, 2010 – February, 2011, a 6 percent increase; participation in recreation programs continue to be popular with most having increased numbers from 2009 as did rentals of facilities and fields.

The foremost accomplishments of the fall season included: a Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) championship by the Women's Cross Country team, CSAC runners-up finishes by the Men's Cross Country and Men's Soccer teams and an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South Region Championship by the Women's Soccer team; 53 individual and team records were set or tied and a 62+% overall winning percentage achieved by the seven teams with all qualifying for the CSAC championship playoffs; 14 students were selected as "Players of the Week" and 35 earned All-Conference honors; a Men's Soccer player was named the CSAC Rookie of the Year and the Women's Cross Country Coach was chosen as the CSAC Coach of the Year; a Men's Soccer player and two Women's Soccer players earned National Soccer Coaches Regional All-American recognitions.

Among the foremost competitive accomplishments of the winter season were: the Women's Basketball Team reached the second round of the CSAC Championship playoff while the Men's Team qualified for the first round; both teams were selected to participate in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South Region Tournament; individual achievements included: five Women's Team players were the CSAC Player of the Week, one named to the First Team All CSAC and one as Honorable Mention; and, two of the Men's Team were named to the Laurel Line All-Tournament Team; of the new Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Teams, a male and a female swimmer qualified for the ECAC Championship.