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Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5958

King’s College and Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) have announced the creation of a 1-2-1 Dual Bachelor of Nursing Degree program based on students doing course work on both campuses. A national search for a director/program chair will begin shortly.

The King’s-LCCC agreement is the first of its kind in the region for a collaborative nursing program and builds on the existing strong relationship between the two institutions. In 2014, King’s and LCCC agreed to terms of a five-year dual admission agreement that guarantees students pursuing Associate in Applied Science, Associate in Arts, and Associate in Science degree programs at the community college will be granted admission and a merit scholarship to King’s in order to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

As currently configured, students in the nursing program will spend their first and fourth years at King’s completing the core and upper level nursing requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree; the middle two years will be devoted to nursing studies at LCCC, including labs and clinical studies.

King’s interest in developing this program was inspired in part by the success of its Physician Assistant Studies Program, which has expanded in recent years to help meet the demand for highly qualified health care professionals in the region and beyond.

“This new program will make it possible for King’s and LCCC students to earn the BS in Nursing credential, which is becoming the standard (entry level) credential for the nursing profession,” said Fr. John J. Ryan, C.S.C., president of King’s College. “By adding nursing, King’s now offers a comprehensive suite of health care-related programs, including physician assistant studies, athletic training, and exercise science, giving students another path to an in-demand profession.”

“We’re pleased to be able to capitalize on the success of our strong nursing program and enter into a new agreement with King’s College to benefit students,” says Thomas P. Leary, president, LCCC.  “This unique program, which allows students to earn a degree from both institutions, further solidifies our cooperative educational partnership with King’s while supporting students who wish to continue their education and complete their bachelor’s degree.”

While prospective students will apply to the program through King’s, King’s and LCCC mutually will determine the number of students to accept into the program each year based on academic standards agreed to by both institutions. While King’s will be the institution of record for the purposes of admission, the decision to admit students will be shared by King’s and LCCC through a joint admission committee. Program development and the accreditation process will begin in earnest as soon as the director/program chair has been named.

For immediate release
Further information: contact Joseph Giomboni
Public Relations office, (570) 208-5957

King’s College will host free screenings of the films “La Jaula de Oro” on September 15, “Zootopia” on September 29, and “Dying to Live: A Migrant’s Journey” on October 6, as part of the Sixth Annual Diversity Festival. Screenings will be held at 7 p.m. in the Burke Auditorium, William G. McGowan School of Business, on North River Street. 

In addition to the film screenings, the Diversity Festival features “The Ultimate Flag Challenge,” which includes games and prizes based on national flags to raise cultural awareness. The event will be held from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Oct. 19, in the Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center, located between N. Main and N. Franklin streets. 

The award-winning Mexican drama, “La Jaula de Oro,” follows three Guatemalan teens dangerous voyage to the United States. As the vulnerable teens seek the Promised Land in America, they are harassed by soldiers and policemen, forced to work as drug mules, and imprisoned by kidnappers. 

Disney’s “Zootopia” is an animated comedy-adventure is set in a mammal metropolis. When the first rabbit joins the police force, she quickly learns how tough it is to enforce the law but is determined to prove herself by solving a mysterious case with the help of a wily fox.

Drawing on the insights of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographers, theologians, politicians, activists, musicians and immigrants, “Dying to Live: A Migrant’s Journey” takes personal look at the lives of immigrants to tell their story and the search to find God in the midst of their personal struggles and hope along the US-Mexico border. 

The annual Diversity Festival is co-sponsored by Multicultural and International Student Programs Office and the McGowan Hispanic Outreach Program. For more information, contact Reyna Logsdon, Coordinator, McGowan Hispanic Outreach Program, at (570) 208-8021. 

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Disney’s “Zootopia” is one of three free public film screenings  held during the Sixth Annual Diversity Festival at King’s College. 

For Immediate Release
Further Information: Contact Joseph Giomboni
Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5958

Atty. Robert Vischer, Dean and Mengler Chair in Law, University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, will explore the tension between individual autonomy and state power during the Constitution Day Lecture, at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19, in the Burke Auditorium at King’s College. 

In a free public lecture titled “Conscience and the Common Good,” Vischer will focus on recent constitutional debates about religious liberty. According to Vischer, the formation and expression of conscience occurs through relationships, and so people need to protect relationships like family, association, or church, in order to protect conscience. The Constitution provides tools through which the institutions that make up the space between person and state can be protected, but their ultimate flourishing requires a political culture that values their role in American society.

Vischer came to St. Thomas from St. John's University Law School, where he was an Assistant Professor of Law and Fellow of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society. Previously, Vischer practiced corporate litigation at Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago. He received his bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from the University of New Orleans, and his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the “Harvard Law Review.”

Vischer’s scholarship explores the intersection of law, religion, and public policy, with a particular focus on the religious and moral dimensions of professional identity. His scholarship has appeared in several notable academic journals, including “Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics,” “Notre Dame Law Review,” “Journal of Law & Religion,” “Journal of Catholic Social Thought,” and Journal of Catholic Legal Studies.” He has published the books “Martin Luther King Jr. and the Morality of Legal Practice: Lessons in Love and Justice,” and “Conscience and the Common Good: Reclaiming the Space Between Person and State.” 

The Burke Auditorium is located in the William G. McGowan School of Business on North River Street. Parking will be available in on-campus lots. The lecture is co-sponsored by the College’s McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility and History Department. For more information, contact Dr. Bernard Prusak, director of the McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, at 208-5900, ext. 5689 or e-mail BernardPrusak@kings.edu.

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Robert Vischer, Dean and Mengler Chair in Law, University of St. Thomas

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Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5957

Twenty-two King’s College students have begun a 14-week student teaching experience at area elementary, junior-high, and senior-high schools. The supervised student teaching experience is necessary to fulfill King’s degree requirements and to obtain a Pennsylvania Teacher Certificate.

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King’s College education majors student teaching in local elementary and high schools are, seated from left: Rachel Vidumsky, Shavertown, Tunkhannock; Audrey Golosky, Scranton, Dunmore High School; Theadora Treslar, Shavertown, Wyoming Area; Dominique Exter, Suscon, Pittston Area Primary Center; Brittany Marra, Hanover Twp., Heights-Murray Elementary and Dodson Elementary; Katherine Cryan, Cedar Grove, N.J., Dodson Elementary; Alexandra Weidtman, Lindenhurst, N.Y., Wyoming Valley West High School; Nathaniel Eric Seals, Allentown, Jim Thorpe High School; Ryan Hettes, Swoyersville, Lake Lehman High School; and Gianna Cordasco, East Brunswick, N.J., Hazleton Area Academy of Science.

Standing: Dr. Denise Reboli, chairperson of the education department; Alicia Pizano, Wyoming, Dana Street Elementary; Lindsey Humanik, Plains, Plains-Solomon Elementary and Kistler Elementary; Kady Zawadski, Bethlehem, Tenth Street Elementary; Andrew Manganaro, Horseheads, N.Y., Greater Nanticoke Area; James Rose, Jr., West Pittston, Hanover Area Junior Senior High School; Matt Mahony, Maplewood, N.J., Third Ave. Elementary and Graham Academy; Ryan Plumer, Baltimore, Md., Plains-Solomon Elementary and Kistler Elementary; Lydia McDaniel, Stockton, N.J., Heights-Murray Elementary and Dan Flood Elementary; Janene Cain, Hazleton, Arthur Street Elementary and Heights-Murray Elementary; Danielle Georgetti, Plains, Plains-Solomon Elementary and Dan Flood Elementary; Jocelyn Lee, Ormond Beach, Fla., Good Shepherd Academy; Kallista Myers, Hudson, Lake-Noxen Elementary; and, Bob Richards, Director of Student Teaching.

For Release
Further Information: Contact Joseph Giomboni
Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5958

Ryan Rosenthal of Pittston has been named Web Systems Manager in the Office of Marketing and Communications at King’s College. 

He is primarily responsible for the maintenance and ongoing development of the College’s website and oversees internal and external Web systems and services. He will work in conjunction with the marketing team to implement King’s brand into web-based projects, create graphic standards for the web, and collaborate with the College’s Information and Instructional Technology Services Department to research and support back-end web server requirements. 

Rosenthal graduated from King’s in 2015 majoring in Computers and Information Systems. As a student, he worked as a web development and IT support student aide, where he was responsible for maintenance and troubleshooting computers and printers, building web pages, and content management. He also served as an editor of “SCOP,” the College’s student literary magazine, and a member of the In-House Design Club.  

Prior to joining King’s, Rosenthal was a web developer and graphic designer for Ken Pollock Auto Group in Pittston and conducted Internet-based research at Devonian Stone of New York in Windsor, N.Y. 

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Ryan Rosenthal 

For immediate release
Further information: contact Joseph Giomboni
Public Relations office, (570) 208-5957

The King’s College Theatre kicks off the season with performances of the award-winning musical, “Godspell,” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29-30, Oct. 1, and Oct. 6-8, and at 2 p.m. on Oct. 2 in the George P. Maffei II Theatre.

Featuring music and lyrics by three-time Grammy and Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Pippin,” and “Children of Eden”) and based on visionary playwright John-Michael Tebelak book, “Godspell” is a selection of musical parables from The Gospel According to St. Matthew.

Using a music festival as a backdrop, the King’s production will chronicle the last days of Jesus as He recruits a group of musicians, artists, and music lovers and teaches them various lessons through song and dance. As the story dissolves into the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, Jesus' messages of kindness, tolerance and love come vibrantly to life.

"Godspell" will feature actor Dylawnie Woods in his first feature role as John the Baptist/Judas; and Dylan Koch as Jesus of Nazareth. The Tribe (Ensemble) includes local actors: Greg Adams, Wilkes-Barre; Britney Benkoski, Exeter; Jarret Gabriel, Wilkes-Barre Twp.; Beth DeMichele, Wilkes-Barre; Lindsay Denion, Mountain Top; Talia Johnson, Nazareth; and Skyler Makuch, Mountain Top.

The George P. Maffei II Theatre is located in the Administration Building on North River Street. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $7 for senior citizens, and $5 for King’s alumni and non-King’s students. For more information on upcoming performances or to reserve tickets, visit the website http://kingsgodspell.bpt.me or call the box office at (570) 208-5825 or e-mail boxoff@kings.edu.

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King’s College Theatre Department’s production of the musical “Godspell" will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29-30, Oct. 1, and Oct. 6-8, and at 2 p.m. on Oct. 2 in the George P. Maffei II Theatre. 

For release
Further Information: Contact Joseph Giomboni
Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5957

King’s College appoints five new full-time faculty members for the 2016-17 academic year.

Megan Baumann is an assistant clinical professor in physician assistant studies. After earning her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree at King’s, Baumann was a physician assistant at the Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine Office of Dr. Sean McVeigh in Honesdale and at the Honesdale Family Health Center.

Dr. Heather Grimm, assistant professor of exercise science, served as a graduate research assistant, study coordinator, and lab manager at the Vascular Health Lab, Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition at the University of Illinois Chicago, where she earned her doctorate. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, and a master’s degree from Temple University.

A 2010 King’s graduate, Jill Kisel will serve as an assistant clinical professor in physician assistant studies. After earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from King’s, Kisel was a part-time lecturer and Dermatology Course Director at Marywood University and a physician assistant at Lackawanna Valley Dermatology Associates in Scranton.

Dr. Jillian McCue has been named an assistant professor of chemistry. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Susquehanna University and doctorate at the University of Connecticut. She was previously a postdoctoral teaching fellow and a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry at Susquehanna University

Dr. Christopher Moore is an associate professor of sociology. He was a tenured associate professor of sociology at Lakeland College and a visiting assistant professor of sociology at Purdue University, North Central. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Clair, master’s degree at the University of Iowa, and doctorate at the University of Georgia.

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Megan Baumann

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Dr. Heather Grimm

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Jill Kisel

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Dr. Jillian McCue

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Dr. Christopher Moore

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Further information: Contact John McAndrew
Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5958

Sixty one students recently completed the physician assistant (PA) studies master’s degree program at King’s College and received their degrees at the College’s annual summer commencement ceremonies.

The Class of 2016 is the 40th graduating class of the King’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program, the longest established program in Luzerne or Lackawanna County. 

PAs are health care providers who are nationally certified and state licensed to practice medicine. As a part of their responsibilities, PAs perform physical exams, diagnose illnesses, develop and carry out treatment plans, order and interpret lab tests, assist in surgery, provide patient education and prescribe medications.

Upon graduation, PAs take a national certification examination developed by the National Commission on Certification of PAs (NCCPA). PAs are employed in virtually all types of health care settings including private offices, clinics and hospitals. PAs can practice in almost any field of medicine including family practice, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry and orthopedics to name just a few.

King’s PA graduates have achieved placements throughout the country, many of whom are working in medically underserved areas.

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Pictured in front row, from left, is Julie Mathew, Jocelyn Mathew, Ashley Marsh, Emmalee Meyers, Kasey Critchlow, Taylore Bardo, Carlee Komoroski, Rachel Pierantozzi, Tuyen Nguyen, and Lisa Hoogsteden

Pictured in second row, from left, is Paige Perry, Kathleen Cheseldine, Caitlin Ralston, Marissa Mutzek, Colleen Kiriazes, Elizabeth Shannon, Stephanie Dosiak, Caitlin Haenig, Paige DeSaulniers, Jamie DeLeon, and Lauren Duguid.

Pictured in third row, from left, is Matthew Asmar, Molly Spanfelner, Suzana Silva, Brandon Lombardo, Jaclyn Beck, Morgan Hoferica, Alexandra Heavilon, Tonya Mattei, Sara Lynn, Kelby O’Neil, Danielle Yakup, and Krystina Carcone.

Pictured in fourth row, from left, is Mustafa Monis, Haley Baran, Allison Johns, Jacqueline Czwojdak, Alicia Kolling, Katlyn Rossowski, Robert Lawler, Shannon Dunski, Alexis Hargrave, Anna Bergeman, Jenna Gleason, and Amanda Ketusky.

Pictured in back row, from left, is Michael Anderson, Erica Schweitzer, Mallory Bryant, Connor Prince, Erin Rupell, Stanley Yanik, Emma Leatham, Victoria Nytch, Bailey Amos, Tyler Baran, Joel Dorman, Katelyn Rivers, Abraham Kibbey, and Jesstine Kane.

Absent from photo was Kylanne Berry and Jessica Hamilton.

For immediate release
Further information: contact Joseph Giomboni
Public Relations office, (570) 208-5957

Local high school students will showcase a variety of original creative works during “The 14th Invitational Emerging Artists Exhibition” through September 23 in the Widmann Gallery at King’s College. 

The artists will discuss their work from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Sep. 16, in the Widmann Gallery in the Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center, located between North Franklin and North Main streets. Each student was invited to participate based on his or her artistic talent and past record of exhibitions and awards. 

Exhibiting artworks will be 31 high school students representing 10 local high schools and home schools.

Participating students are: Faith Christman, Abby Hastings, Nicole Jacobs, Johanna Kiska, Rachel Klinges, Alexis Lanza, Erin May, Lexie Oster, Troy Reinert, Allison Stallard, Sarah Stallard, Alicia Vincelli, and Kyle Yagloski, Dallas High School; Emily Andrews and Bobby Brenner, Coughlin; Madeline Forba, Home School; Shawn Deeds, Carolyn Kerkowski, Samantha Mihalko, Ciera Snyder, Gianna Williams, and Madalyn Wright, Lake-Lehman; Caitlyn McHenry, Nanticoke Area; Miranda Nardone, Scranton Preparatory School; Rachel Caudell, Tunkhannock Area; Lauren Shission, Wyoming Area; Nicole Amoachi and Leanna Yatcilla, Wyoming Seminary; and Ashley Collura, Morgan Collura, and Erica Thomas, Wyoming Valley West.

The exhibit is coordinated by local artist Sue Hand, who holds an honorary doctorate of humanities from King’s College. The exhibition is free and open to the public. Gallery hours: Mon. through Fri., 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., as arranged. The Gallery is closed on national holidays and during scheduled breaks throughout the academic year.  

For more information, contact Michelle Leonard, Widmann Gallery Coordinator, at (570) 208-5900, ext. 5328, or visit the Experiencing the Arts Calendar at www.kings.edu. 

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Blossom Ballet, watercolor by Caitlyn McHenry will be on display in the Widmann Gallery at King’s College. McHenry is a ninth grade student at Greater Nanticoke Area High School. 

For release
Further information: Contact Joseph Giomboni
King’s College Public Relations, (570) 208-5957

Shyann Church and Jared Menghini have joined the Financial Aid Department at King’s College.

Church has been named Financial Aid Specialist. She will be primarily responsible for managing the Perkins Loans and student work-study programs. As Associate Director for New Student Financial Aid, Menghini will serve as the College’s liaison for all first-year undergraduate domestic students.

Prior to coming to King’s, Church worked in various customer service positions at Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Genpact, and Sallie Mae. 

Menghini previously served as Senior Assistant Director of Admission at King’s, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and management and a master’s degree in health care administration. He also worked as a Human Resource Business Partner for Celtic Healthcare, Inc.

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Shyann Church

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Jared Menghini

For Immediate Release 
Further information: Contact Joseph Giomboni 
Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5957

Dr. F. Daniel Davis, director of bioethics at Geisinger Health System and formerly a senior advisor for bioethics and policy with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Science Policy, will deliver a free public lecture titled “Organizational Ethics in Healthcare: Thinking and Doing,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, in the Burke Auditorium at King’s College. The event is sponsored by the McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility at King’s.

Davis’s lecture will address the challenging ethical questions encountered by health care organizations, the moral terrain providers confront daily, and the lessons emerging from studies of organizational culture and change. He will also present an analysis of the practical challenges of bringing ethics to the forefront of organizational structures.

Davis came to Geisinger Health System in 2012  with 20-plus years of experience in theoretical and applied bioethics.  A member of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities, Davis served as an associate dean at Georgetown University School of Medicine where he also chaired the institutional review board for psychosocial and behavioral research and served on the hospital ethics committee. Before taking up his post at the NIH, he served as executive director of the President’s Council on Bioethics.

The Burke Auditorium is located in the William G. McGowan School of Business on North River Street. Parking will be available in on-campus lots. For more information, please contact Dr. Bernard Prusak, director, McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, at 208-5900, ext. 5689.

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Dr. F. Daniel Davis, Director of Bioethics at Geisinger Health System. 

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Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5958

Zian Chi, center, a resident of Wilkes-Barre and a senior accounting major at King’s College, was selected as the initial recipient of the Kearney & Company Scholarship.

Established in 1985 by Edward F. Kearney a 1974 graduate of King’s, Kearney & Company provides auditing, accounting, and consulting services to the Federal Government and its agencies throughout the country.

To qualify for the scholarship, students must be majoring in accounting, must demonstrate academic merit, and either be working part-time or be involved in extra-curricular activities at King’s.

Chi was selected for the scholarship in the spring and completed an internship at Kearney & Company this summer.  At King’s, Chi is a consistent Dean's List student and has been selected for induction to the Delta Epsilon Sigma, Omicron Delta Epsilon, and Institute of Management Accountants honor societies. She also serves as a tutor, maintains two part-time jobs, and participates in service activities.

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Two King’s College students and an administrator were selected to attend the three-day Student Leadership Ambassador Summit (SALT) of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) held recently at Loyola University in Maryland.

The group was among representatives from almost 50 other colleges and universities from across the country. 

The purpose of the summit was to cultivate skills, passion, and knowledge about international relief and development among US college students.  During the summit, delegates received training on media and communications, campus organizing, and advocacy and learned first-hand from CRS overseas staff about topics such as the current state of refugees and how climate change is impacting the poor.  

Each delegation made legislative visits to their representatives in Congress as the culmination of the summit.

During the current academic year, the student leaders will help to educate the King’s campus on the realities of the world’s most vulnerable populations and the need for global solidarity.

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Pictured, from left, is Margaret Kowalsky, director of the King’s Office of Study Abroad; and student ambassadors Elizabeth Novak and Megan McGowan.

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King’s College Public Relations, (570) 208-5957

King’s College faculty members Dr. Thomas Concannon, adjunct professor of mathematics, and Dr. Gerardo Giordano, assistant professor of physics, co-wrote a paper about the amount of time it would take to travel to the center of the earth. The King’s professors introduced the role that frictional effects would play for a gravity train traveling down a hypothetical tunnel through the core that would enable faster trips from one point to another on the Earth’s surface.

A pre-print of the paper was available this summer and was featured in articles from countries around the world, including “Physics Today’s Daily Edition,” “Science News,” and “Sputnik News.”

Concannon earned his doctorate in theoretical physics from the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, where he studied black hole thermodynamics. He was a full-time physics professor at Wake Forest University and Elon University in North Carolina before becoming a software support specialist at Synopsys, an electronic design automation company. He earned a master’s degree in mathematics from Lehigh University.

Giordano earned his doctorate in theoretical physics and a master’s of education in physics education from Penn State University. His graduate work concerned neutrino flavor oscillations and time-compressed course pedagogy. His current research interests include investigating the effectiveness of classroom activities and atmospheric muon tomography.

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Dr. Thomas Concannon

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Dr. Gerardo Giordano

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Further information: contact Joseph Giomboni
Public Relations office, (570) 208-5957

Religion scholar, author, and Franciscan sister Ilia Delio of Villanova University will deliver the 2016 Feast of Saint Francis Lecture at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10, in the Burke Auditorium at King’s College.  

In his recent encyclical “Laudato Si',” Pope Francis presents the earth as our home.  But are we at home in the cosmos?  In the free public lecture titled “Are We at Home in the Cosmos? A Franciscan View of Creation,” Delio explores this question by drawing from both religion and science and looking to the contributions of the innovative twentieth-century theologian and scientist Teilhard de Chardin.

Delio holds the Josephine C. Connelly Endowed Chair in Theology at Villanova University, where she is a tenured full professor of theology with an emphasis on constructive systematic theology. She is the author of 17 books and lectures nationally and internationally in the area of science and religion, with particular interests in evolution, ecology and artificial intelligence.  

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology from DeSales University, a master’s degree in biology at Seton Hall University, and a doctorate in pharmacology from Rutgers University–New Jersey Medical School. She later joined the Franciscan community and earned a master’s degree in theology and a doctorate in historical theology at Fordham University. 

Following graduation from Fordham, Delio taught science and religion at Trinity College in Connecticut and served as professor and chair of Spirituality Studies at Washington Theological Union, where she taught courses in the history of Christianity, Franciscan theology, and science and religion. She also was a Senior Research Fellow at Woodstock Theological Center and Director of Catholic Studies at Georgetown University. 

The Burke Auditorium is located in the William G. McGowan School of Business on North River Street. Parking will be available in on-campus lots. For more information, please contact Dr. Bernard Prusak, director, McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, at 208-5900, ext. 5689.

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Ilia Delio, O.S.F., Connelly Chair in Christian Theology, Villanova University

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Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5958

King’s College earned high marks for student satisfaction and career preparation in the inaugural college rankings released by “The Wall Street Journal.”

King’s was the highest rated Wyoming Valley higher learning institution at 423^rd among all United States colleges and universities. 

According to “The Wall Street Journal,” the rankings offer students an invaluable guide because it places more weight on the students’ postgraduate success and their own opinions about the quality of their education instead of the more conventional emphasis on such measures as average SAT scores of incoming freshmen or the overall acceptance rate.

The rankings are based on 15 factors across four categories: Forty percent of each school’s overall score comes from student outcomes, including how they fare after leaving campus, 30% from the school’s resources, 20% from how well it engages its students and 10% from the learning environment, or diversity.

In addition to the overall rankings, King’s fared well in survey results of 100,000 college students in areas related to student satisfaction.  In response to the question “do you think this education will prepare you for your career?” King’s received a score of 8.49 on a scale of 10.  King’s received a score of 8.2 in response to the “if you could start over, would you still choose this college” question and received a score of 7.99 in response to the “do you think your college will be worth what you and your family will be paying” question.

King’s has also earned a place for eight consecutive years on an exclusive list of “Best American Colleges” compiled for “Forbes” magazine by The Center for College Affordability and Productivity based on multiple factors related to success after graduation, affordability, student satisfaction, and student and faculty achievement.

For immediate release
Further information: contact Joseph Giomboni
Public Relations office, (570) 208-5957

Artist Howard Hao Tran will display sculptures and drawings in a variety of mediums during a free public exhibition, titled “Howard Hao Tran: Drawings and Sculptures,” from Monday, Oct. 3, through Sunday, Oct. 30, in the Widmann Gallery at King’s College.

Ranging from clay and burlap to wood and plaster, the artwork ranges from figurative sculpture to abstract, two-dimensional pieces. Utilizing traditional and non-traditional materials, he creates pieces that emphasize texture and symbols and reflect his Vietnamese/Chinese background.

“I consider myself Chinese Vietnamese American,” said Tran. “I have aspects of all three cultures, yet I am in between them all. In my art I explore identity, home, keeping traditions, change, and the dichotomy between East and West.”

Tran’s work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions, including Stockton Art Gallery in Galloway, N.J., Station Gallery in Lock Haven, and the Wilson Gallery at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, N.Y. He is currently an associate professor of art at Lycoming College and chair of the art department.

He received his master’s of fine arts in sculpture from Boston University.  He earned his bachelor’s of fine arts in sculpture from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

Tran will discuss his craft during a Meet-the-Artist reception from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, in the Widmann Gallery, Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center, located between North Franklin and North Main streets.

Gallery hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, as arranged. The Gallery is closed on national holidays and during scheduled breaks throughout the academic year. For more information, contact Michelle Leonard, Widmann Gallery coordinator, at (570) 208-5900, ext. 5328.

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“Ghe #74,” mixed media artwork by Howard Hao Tran will be on display in a free public exhibition in the Widmann Gallery at King’s College.

For immediate release
Further information: Contact Joseph Giomboni 
Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5957

King’s College will host several events this fall offering prospective students the opportunity to learn more about the college and to inform and update students and their families on the benefits of pursuing a King’s education. 

King’s will host Open Houses for high school students and their families from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23, and Sunday, Nov. 13.  Participants will have an opportunity to attend sessions on the various academic majors at King’s College. Sessions on financial aid, career planning and placement, as well as the honors, study abroad and internship programs will be available. A panel discussion of student life at King’s also will be featured.

High school seniors also have an opportunity to experience a day in the life of a King’s student by attending classes, meeting with admission representatives and taking a tour the campus during Senior Preview Days from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Oct. 21, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, Nov. 11, Nov. 18, Dec. 2 and Dec. 9.

In addition, King’s financial aid and admissions professionals will host an event to help area college-bound high school students and their families understand the financial aid process from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, in the Burke Auditorium, William G. McGowan School of Business on North River Street.

King’s financial aid experts will provide useful general information about the financial aid application process and timetable, including how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). They will also cover in detail federal and state financial aid programs and financing options.

The Open Houses, Senior Preview Days, and Financial Aid Night are free and advance registration is preferable. To register, visit the website www.kings.edu/admissions/admission_events. For more information, please contact Dr. Thomas Landon, associate director of admissions, at 570-208-8389, or the Office of Financial Aid at (570) 208-5876.

For release
Further information: Contact John McAndrew
Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5958

A team of four King’s College students were named semi-finalists in a national marketing plan competition sponsored by Marketing EDGE, a national non-profit to educate college students in the field of marketing.

Only 10 percent of the hundreds of student teams that enter the contest attain semi-finalist status.  The Collegiate ECHO Marketing Challenge focused on the social media network, Facebook. Each team was challenged to create an integrated marketing campaign with the goal of increasing the awareness and consideration of Custom Audiences, a product that Facebook sells to businesses to help them contact potential customers in an innovative way.  Students were charged to create a comprehensive marketing campaign with a theoretical budget of $5 million. 

The students participated in the competition as part of the requirements for a Principles of Marketing class at King’s.

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Pictured, from left, is Dr. J.C. Blewitt, assistant professor of management and faculty advisor for the competition; and student team members Adrian Mackiewicz, Samra Jo Fassett, Liz Novak, and Caryn Wielgopolski.

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Further information: Contact John McAndrew
Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5958

Two staff members, a faculty member, and three students from King’s College were invited to participate in a panel at the Sixth Annual President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge held near Washington, D.C., last week.

A group from King’s attended the conference last year to gather ideas for appropriate campus inter-faith activities.  Their efforts included a fast for Syria that raised several thousand dollars for Syrian refugees, a breakfast meal and reflection event.  The success of the events earned the group an opportunity to participate in this year’s conference as panelists.

Participants in the panel discussion, titled “Building Interfaith Communities of Welcome: Engaging Immigrants, Refugees, and International Students on College Campuses,” were, from left,  Dr. Janice Thompson, theology department; Jasmine Tabron, Diversity Office; students Sara Ahmed, Umar Alkhaldi, Ida Dumbuya; and Dr. William Bolan, Shoval Center for Community Engagement and Learning.

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