CENTRAL PENN COLLEGE
Mountain Top student earns dean’s list honor
Patricia Searfoss, Mountain Top, was named to the Central Penn College dean’s list for the winter 2025 term. Searfoss is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in business administration.
Of the students who took classes, 38% made the dean’s list. To qualify, an undergraduate student must carry six or more credits and earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or better for the term.
EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY
ESU Theatre Department presents Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’
ESU’s Department of Theatre recently presented Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible.’ The cast and crew of nearly 40 included the following area residents:
• Jesse Carey, West Wyoming.
• Rebekah Hughes, Drums.
Kingston student spends spring break learning abroad
Traditionally a time to rest and recharge, spring break served as a rewarding learning opportunity for students in three East Stroudsburg University programs. Costa Rica, Guatemala and a cruise bound for the Bahamas became classrooms for the groups as they applied critical skills, learned from industry professionals and immersed themselves in other cultures.
Katelyn Mynes, Kingston, traveled to Guatemala to learn about public health and nursing.
In Guatemalan hospitals and group homes, students majoring in nursing and public health got to see classroom concepts being applied on the front lines of health care.
Led by Dr. Royal and Assistant Professor of Health Studies Elaine Rodriguez, Ph.D., the students shared a variety of cultural and service-learning activities from March 8 to March 15.
Working in rotations that included shadowing nurses and physicians in a hospital and assisting residents of a group home with mental and physical challenges, the group was exposed to settings and scenarios they can’t experience in the classroom.
Students also visited historical landmarks, an active volcano, and learned about major Guatemalan exports like coffee and cocoa. The group spent time in multiple cities but were primarily based in Antigua during the trip.
Local student leader recognized
East Stroudsburg University’s Student Activity Association, in conjunction with the Student Government Association, hosted its annual Student Organization Awards Banquet on Sunday, April 6. The banquet honored select clubs and organizations for their achievements during the 2024 calendar year.
During the banquet, Richermy Batista, Hazleton, a senior majoring in political science, received the Robert J. Dillman Student Leader Impact Award.
ESU’s Department of Biology participates in conferences
The Department of Biology at East Stroudsburg University recently participated in three conferences, allowing students to present research they’ve completed during their studies at ESU.
• The Northeast Natural History Conference was held in Springfield, Mass. April 4-6. Kelly Murman, a graduate student from Avoca, gave an oral presentation on “A Dietary Analysis of Four Streamside Salamander Species in Eastern Pennsylvania.”
• The 56th Annual Meeting of the Commonwealth of PA University Biologists (CPUB) was held on the campus of Bloomsburg University on April 5. During the conference, Gianna Donahue, a senior from Nanticoke, along with two other students, presented “Preliminary analysis reveals increased activity of oxidative stress enzymes post exposure to polystyrene nanoparticles in Daphnia magna.” Their project was developed from course-based research the students conducted in the Animal Physiology lab course.
During the conference, student awards were also given out. Donahue earned 2nd place in Ecology, Evolution and Organismal poster presentations.
Political Science and Economics students inducted into honor society
ESU’s Department of Political Science and Economics recently held the joint induction ceremony for the Iota Chi Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Honor Society) and Omicron Delta Epsilon (International Honor Society of Economics).
Local residents who participated are:
• Gianna Donahue, Nanticoke.
• Maya Kasa, Wyoming.
Students visit Aramark headquarters
On Tuesday, April 8, students majoring in hospitality, recreation, and tourism management (HRTM) at East Stroudsburg University visited Aramark’s world headquarters in Philadelphia for a firsthand look at the company’s operations and career opportunities.
The students on the trip are taking a Foundations of Food and Beverage Management course with Chuck Meitner, Ph.D., assistant professor of HRTM.
Local students in the class are:
• Mary Popielarz, Dallas.
• Riley Tolsma, Shickshinny.
HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY
Dallas student helps beautify community
More than 230 Hofstra students went into the community on a recent Saturday morning to garden at neighboring homes. The University’s Annual Pride and Plant event connects students with local homeowners, who need help with yard work and planting.
Among the participating students was Elena Burdge, Dallas, who is studying Pre-Physician Assistant studies.
The beautification event, which started in 2017, was sponsored by Hofstra University’s Office of Commuting Student Services and Community Outreach, directed by Anita Ellis.
Student employees recognized
During National Student Employment Week, Hofstra University celebrated the impact and experiences of student workers across campus and in the surrounding community. Through the student employment program — whether through Federal Work-Study or other opportunities — students are receiving more than just a paycheck. They’re building transferable skills, gaining practical experience, forming meaningful professional relationships, and in many cases, engaging with the wider community.
Jacqueline Meuser, Shavertown, is among the many student workers at Hofstra.
THE HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI
New members elected
The following local residents were recently elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.
• Jennifer Kasel, Kingston, at Pennsylvania State University.
• Kelsey Leck, Shickshinny, at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania.
• Alison Rancont, Freeland, at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania.
• Briana Sebastian, Wilkes Barre, at Texas A&M University.
They are among approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5% of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.
KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Fall 2024, Winter 2025 degree recipients announced
Kutztown University conferred degrees for 414 students for the 2024 fall semester and 2025 winter session.
The university announces degree conferment twice a year, once in the winter and once in the summer. Commencement exercises are held in May and December; however, students finish the requirements for graduation throughout the entire year.
The cumulative grade point average necessary for honors distinction is: with honor (cum laude) 3.40; with high honor (magna cum laude) 3.60 and with highest honor (summa cum laude) 3.80.
Students who have requested privacy (FERPA) are not listed publicly.
Local graduates are:
• Morgan L Allen, Freeland, Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art, summa cum laude.
• Thaddeus K Erzar, Wyoming, Bachelor of Arts in political science, summa cum laude.
• Peter Joseph Ferdinand, Sugarloaf, Bachelor of Science in business administration – marketing.
• Mackenzie Lynn Kile, Mountain Top, Master of Business Administration; Certificate in Decision Making; Certificate in Leadership.
• Anthony Nelson, Wyoming, Bachelor of Science in computer science; Certificate in Scripting for Data Manipulation, cum laude.
• Annie R Plitnick, Sugarloaf, Bachelor of Arts in English professional writing, summa cum laude.
• Nicholas A Semanek, Wyoming, Bachelor of Arts in music – commercial.
• Adam Matthew Wisnewski, Wyoming, Bachelor of Science in computer science; Certificate in Scripting for Data Manipulation, summa cum laude.
LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE
Regan Welch Participates in theater production
Regan Welch, Nescopeck, participated in Wig and Buckle Theater Company’s recent production of “Sorority House of the Dead” at Lebanon Valley College. The show ran in late March.
Welch, a graduate of Berwick Area Senior High School, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and molecular biology at The Valley.
Karly Kile inducted into honor society
Karly Kile, Nescopeck, was one of the Lebanon Valley College students recently inducted into Phi Sigma Iota during the College’s Inquiry celebration.
Kile, a graduate of Berwick Area Senior High School, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in actuarial science at The Valley.
Phi Sigma Iota, the Department of Languages honor society, recognizes outstanding accomplishment in the study or teaching of any of the academic fields related to a foreign language, literature, or culture. These fields include not only modern foreign languages, but also classics, linguistics, philology, comparative literature, bilingual education, second language acquisition, and other interdisciplinary programs with a significant foreign language component. Phi Sigma Iota is the highest academic honor in the field of foreign languages, with 250 chapters of Phi Sigma Iota at institutions of higher learning in the U.S., Mexico, and France.
MUHLENBERG COLLEGE
Shickshinny resident recognized for academic excellence
Academic awards are bestowed each spring at Muhlenberg College’s annual Honors Convocation — a formal academic ceremony designed to honor and celebrate leadership and scholarly excellence in the college community. This year’s convocation was held Sunday, April 27, in Egner Chapel.
Lindsay Sherrick, Shickshinny, received the Elizabeth A. Carlson Memorial Prize, awarded for outstanding creative leadership in dance.
A graduate of Northwest Area High School, Sherrick is studying dance and media and communication at Muhlenberg College.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND GLOBAL CAMPUS
West Hazleton resident completes Leadership Development Program
Alba Espinosa, West Hazleton, completed the Leadership Development Program through the University of Maryland Global Campus chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success during the 2024-25 academic year. The leadership program prepares NSLS members to be effective leaders in their lives and careers.
NSLS is a leadership development organization with more than 1.5 million members and more than 700 chapters across the United States and Latin America. NSLS began 20 years ago to help the greatest number of people in the most significant way through a dedicated mission to build strong, successful leaders. The society encourages community action, volunteerism, personal growth and strong leadership from its chapters and members around the world.
UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION
Kingston student’s research selected for SCHOLAR Day
The University of Mount Union hosted its 18th Annual Student Celebration Honoring Our Latest Academic Research (SCHOLAR) Day on Tuesday, April 22.
SCHOLAR Day is traditionally a campus-wide, day-long event filled with presentations showcasing academic excellence and scholarly research conducted by Mount Union students.
Alexa Harvey, Kingston, was selected to present a research project titled, “Free Your Mind Support Group,” during Mount Union’s SCHOLAR Day.
UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON
West Pittston student inducted into honor society
Madison Kuharchik, West Pittston, was among the University of Scranton students inducted into Alpha Phi Sigma, the national honor society for criminal justice students.
For induction into the honor society, students must be a junior or senior having a criminal justice major or minor, complete at least four criminal justice courses, maintain a 3.2 grade point average overall as well as in criminal justice, and have a standing in the top 35 percent of the class.
The University’s chapter of the honor society was established in 1982.
Kuharchik is a senior majoring in forensic chemistry at the Jesuit university.
Duryea student inducted into honor society
Andrew Mauriello, Duryea, was among the 30 University of Scranton students inducted into Alpha Mu Gamma, the national honor society for students of foreign languages. The University’s chapter of the honor society was established in 1973.
Mauriello is a junior biochemistry, cell, molecular biology major at the Jesuit university.
Local residents inducted into Counseling Honor Society
The following local residents were among the 36 University of Scranton students inducted into Chi Delta Rho, the University’s chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, the international honor society for counseling. The international honor society was established in 1985 to recognize outstanding achievement and service within the profession of counseling. The University’s chapter of the honor society was established in 1994.
• Federico Gutierrez, Hazelton, a graduate student pursing a school counseling degree.
• Angelina Penatzer, Pittston, a graduate student pursing a clinical mental health counseling degree.
• Madison Moyer, Mountain Top, a graduate student pursing a clinical mental health counseling degree.
• Destiny Andes, Kingston, a graduate student pursing a clinical mental health counseling degree.
• Kayleen Post, Kingston, a graduate student pursing a clinical mental health counseling degree.
• Kendalyn Yurkin, Shickshinny, a graduate student pursing a school counseling degree.
Local residents inducted into Communication Honor Society
The following local residents were among the 18 University of Scranton students inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, the national honor society for communication majors. The national honor society was founded in 1985 to encourage high levels of scholarship and leadership in the field of communications. The University’s chapter was established in 1999.
• Ethan Lieberman, Mountain Top, a senior journalism and electronic media major.
• Alex Taylor, Duryea, a senior journalism and electronic media major.
Local residents inducted into Counseling and Human Services Honor Society
The following local residents were among the 16 University of Scranton students inducted into Tau Upsilon Alpha, the national human services honor society. The University’s chapter of the honor society, established in 2008, recognizes academic excellence of undergraduate counseling and human services students.
• Adina DeStefano, Yatesville, a sophomore pursuing a counseling and human services degree.
• Jocelyn Mendoza, Wilkes Barre, a senior pursuing a counseling and human services degree.
Local residents inducted into Healthcare Administration Honor Society
The following local residents were among the 32 University of Scranton students inducted into Upsilon Phi Delta, the national honor society for graduate and undergraduate students in healthcare administration programs. Students must have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.5 for induction. The University’s chapter of the honor society was established in 2002.
• Priyal Patel, Mountain Top, a senior pursuing a health administration degree.
• Brandon DaGrosa, Hazel Township, a graduate student pursuing a Master of Health Administration degree.
• Shashank Kotakonda, Shavertown, a graduate student pursuing a Master of Health Administration degree.
West Pittston student inducted into honor society
Daniel Marinelli, West Pittston, was among the University of Scranton students inducted into Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the only existing international honor society in the computing and information disciplines.
Undergraduate requirements for induction into the honor society include junior academic standing, completion of 18 credits in computing sciences and a grade point average of 3.2 or higher. Graduate requirements for induction include completion of 15 credits in software engineering courses and a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. The University’s chapter of the honor society was established in 1985.
Marinelli is a junior computer science major at the Jesuit university.
