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

July 1, 2018 – Sixty-seven students entering their final year of the master’s degree physician assistant studies program at King’s College recently began their clinical rotations, many with local health care practitioners.  A twelve-week rotation in family medicine and separate six-week rotations in medical specialties including emergency medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and general surgery will conclude with their graduation from the program in August 2019.  In addition to local health care facilities, physician assistant students are also completing rotations in Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

PA-Rotations18.JPG

King’s College physician students beginning their clinical rotations are, pictured kneeling, row 1 from left: Howard Kilpatrick, Conor Knight, Brian Wisowaty, Shefin Mathew, Andrew Gardner, John Yacano, Corey Rossi, Jason Nobrega, and Tian Yuan Wang. Kneeling, row 2: Max Mazzarino, Jared Genett, Richard Jones, Evan Skene, Steven Tlatenchi, Garrett Steiber, Sijo Devasia, Gabriel Lopez, and Tyler Scicchitano. Seated: Alyssa Gurzynski, Taryn Birrane, Jade Etter, Nicole Schnell, Ashley Rood, Leah Merrick,  Evonna Ackourey, Gracey Giberson, Emma Hanrahan, Elizabeth Moyer, Taylor Dinelli, Amanda Lloyd, Amelia Sobolewski, Olivia Jankowski, and Nancy Shukry. Standing, row 1: Melissa Montalvo, Allison Butrie, Ashley Arroyo, Leeanne Chung, Samantha Cummins, Anamaria Schier, Vanessa Novinger, Bridget Pepe, Julia Franzosa, Meredith Lastra, Gabrielle Corpuz, Sydney Myers, Yardley Phillips, Danielle Sforza, Mackenzie Martin, Kristen Hudak, Morgan Garman, Maureen Waters, and Kaylee Kachurka. Standing, row 2: Brianna Gaylets, Lindsay Denion, Lisa Lau, Shyla Kissoon, Abigail Nelson, Megan Bresnahan, Carissa Smith, Rachel Jankovsky, Emily Shultis, Kayley Spinella, Sarah Jacobs, Nicolena Verardi, Allison Kizer, Christie Tuttle, and Katelyn Buyarski. 

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

July 6, 2018 – Approximately 1,100 regional students from elementary through high school recently competed in the National Spanish Examinations, sponsored locally by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP). The contest concluded with 40 Chapter winners from public and private schools in the Wyoming Valley, Scranton, Poconos, Hazleton, and South Williamsport areas.

King’s College has hosted a dinner for Chapter Spanish contest winners and guests on campus since 1970. Dr. Anne Massey, associate professor of Spanish and chair of the Department of Foreign Languages at King’s, is National Spanish Exam Coordinator for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of AATSP.

Local chapter Spanish contest winners are: Robert Beletsky, Natasia Corba, Thomas Figura, Eric Gardner, Adrien Hazzouri, Katelyn Hohn, Tracey Kindler, Aarez Khan, Andrew Kuloszewski, Andrew Mauriello, Samantha Quinn, Claire Stretanski, and Hamza Waseem, Wyoming Seminary Lower School; Sophia Adeghe, Hope Austin, Jared Bozinko, Felix Hammond, Christina Kaspar, Maheen Mahar, and Emily Urbanski, Wyoming Seminary Upper School; and Andrew Faul and Gracelyn Marsh, Wyoming Valley West High School. 

In addition, Charles Kulick of Scranton Preparatory School earned a $500 scholarship as the Grand Prize winner of the Chapter’s annual essay contest. Felix Hammond of Wyoming Seminary and Brenna Jordan of Scranton Prep earned $100 scholarships as runners up. 

Spanish-WSLS18.JPG

Wyoming Seminary Lower School winners who attended the Spanish awards dinner at King’s College are, seated from left: Andrew Mauriello, Robert Beletsky, Andrew Kuloszewski, Adrien Hazzouri, and Natasia Corba. Standing: Claire Stretanski, Hamza Waseem, Aarez Khan, Katelyn Hohn, and Dr. Anne Massey, associate professor of Spanish and chair of the Department of Foreign Languages at King’s College. 

Spanish-HS18.JPG

Local high school Spanish contest winners who attended the awards dinner at King’s College are, standing from left: Gracelyn Marsh, Wyoming Valley West High School; Wyoming Seminary students Emily Urbanski, Hope Austin, Christina Kaspar, and Felix Hammond; and Dr. Anne Massey, associate professor of Spanish and chair of the Department of Foreign Languages at King’s College. 

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

July 20, 2018 – Twenty local grade school students and 13 candidates for a Master’s degree in reading from King’s College recently completed the College’s annual Reading Clinic.

The goal of the week-long event is to pair students looking for assistance in improving their reading comprehension level with people in the master’s of reading degree program at King’s. Many of the master’s degree students are full-time grade school teachers.

ReadingCamp18.JPG

Grade school students completing the program are pictured seated, row 1 from left: Aviry Cook, Colin Prawak, Ella Prawak, Evan Walsh, Grace Garcia-Adon, Aiden Walsh, Emelia O’Shea, Allison Desciak, Aleena Choudhry, and Anaya Choudhry. Seated, row 2: Aryella Cook, Noah Balcziunas, Ayden Acernese, Becca Dunn, Karly Harris, Jett Prukala, Jojo Tomasino, Jaggar Prukala, and Aubriella Wojnarski. King’s Education Master’s Degree students, standing from left: Samantha Kozokas, Nicole Velekei-Hydock, Teila McNulty, Jennifer Confletti, Tracy Tomasura, Amanda Carannante, LeeAnn Duda, Jordan Zande, Emily Kesselring, Diane Bojarcik, Carissa Smith, Megan E. Smith, Patrick Brown, and Dr. Jill Yurko, director of graduate programs in reading at King’s.

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

July 31, 2018 - King’s College will welcome back more than 1,000 alumni and friends for the 2018 Homecoming/Reunion Weekend to be held Friday, Sept. 21, through Sunday, Sept. 23.

The weekend will include a special reunion and recognition of the Class of 1968, the members of which will celebrate their 50^th Anniversary this year and be pinned “Golden Monarchs” in a special ceremony. There will also be milestone reunion gatherings for classes ending in “3” and “8.” In addition, King’s radio station, WRKC 88.5 FM, celebrates their 50-year anniversary and the college will host a reunion for alumni and friends of the station from 7-11 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 22, at Karl Hall. All King’s alumni and friends are invited to participate in the weekend’s activities.

The schedule for the weekend follows:

Friday, September 21

11 a.m. • Alumni Golf Tournament • Mountain Laurel Golf Club, White Haven. Alumni can kick off the weekend at Mountain Laurel with a great day of golfing, lunch and prizes.

Classes Without Quizzes! Throughout the weekend, King’s professors will be delivering informative and entertaining lectures for alumni and friends to enjoy. Feel like a student again, but without the pressure of a final!

7 p.m. •  Women’s Volleyball• McGrane Gym in Scandlon Center.

7 - 9 p.m. • Pints with Professors• Regina Court. Alumni will enjoy a relaxed evening on campus catching up with friends and favorite professors. There will be music, hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer.

Saturday, September 22

11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. • Homecoming BBQ and Football Game • Betzler Athletic Complex. The family-friendly homecoming tradition continues! Reconnect with friends, classmates, professors and staff while cheering on the Monarchs as they take on the visiting Stevenson University Mustangs at 1 p.m. The event sponsors include Senunas’ Bar & Grill, Mark Nobile ’79, Genetti’s Best Western Plus, Hilton Garden Inn, and TravelWorld.

6 - 8 p.m. • Class of 1968 “Golden Monarchs Dinner” • Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center. In honor of their 50-year anniversary, the Class of 1968 will enjoy a special dinner with King's College President, Rev. Jack Ryan, C.S.C.

6 p.m. • Milestone Reunion Gatherings • In addition to the Class of 1968, the classes of 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018 will be gathering to celebrate together at various locations. Visit the event website for a full schedule.

Sunday, September 23

9:30 a.m. • Parker Palermo Memorial 5K Run/ 2 Mile Walk • Kirby Park. The King’s College Cross Country team organizes this annual race in memory of Parker, a 2003 King’s graduate. Register for this event separately by visiting  https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Kingston/11thAnnualParkerPalermoMemorial5KRun2MileWalk

11 a.m. • Alumni Reunion Mass • Chapel of Christ the King. Members of the Class of 1968 will process to receive their Golden Monarch pins in honor of their 50th anniversary as graduates. A farewell reception will take place following Mass.

1 p.m. • Field Hockey • McCarthy Stadium.

For more information about homecoming/reunion events and to register, please visit: www.Kings.edu/homecoming-reunion or contact Beth Doherty, associate director of alumni engagement at King’s, at (570) 208-5900, ext. 5732 or e-mail BethDoherty@kings.edu.

KChomecoming18.jpg

King’s College will celebrate 2018 Homecoming/Reunion Weekend with numerous festivities for more than 1,000 alumni and friends on Sept. 21-23.

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

August 6, 2018 – Dr. Allen Dieterich-Ward, assistant professor of history at Shippensburg University, will examine the labor landscape of Pennsylvania’s workforce during the 2018 Labor Day Lecture at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 5, in the Burke Auditorium at King’s College. Titled “Pennsylvania’s Working Landscapes: Rust, Revival, and the Future of Labor in Penn’s Woods,” the lecture is free and open to the public. The program is sponsored by the McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility at King’s.

Dieterich-Ward’s talk will explore the history of the state’s working landscapes, paying particular attention to Northeast Pennsylvania, through the crisis of deindustrialization and with potential lessons for the future drawn from the ongoing process of urban revitalization.  

From the seventeenth through the early twentieth centuries, Pennsylvanians’ identity was forged at the intersection of nature and culture as they sought to transform the earth’s bounty into marketable goods. Industrialists amassed enormous fortunes at the expense of wrecked bodies, poisoned rivers, and denuded terrain, resulting in a Progressive movement that embraced protections for labor and the state’s current legacy of state forests and urban parks. 

Today, Pennsylvania’s working landscapes have become key ideological battlegrounds in the political fight over the state’s future. While progressives dream of a blue-green alliance, conservative anti-environmentalists link job losses to environmental protection. In his lecture, Dieterich-Ward will argue that this divide has manifested in a bifurcation between urban areas where brownfields are reimagined as sites of high-tech production and preservation of natural “amenities” is seen as key to recruiting and retaining the so-called creative class, and rural areas where farmers, manufacturers, and energy workers are leery of regulations that may have only limited environmental benefits on the local level. 

Dieterich-Ward’s research focuses on the role of politics, economics, and the natural environment in the shaping of metropolitan development with a particular emphasis on twentieth century Pittsburgh. He is the author of “Beyond Rust: Metropolitan Pittsburgh and the Fate of Industrial America, Politics and Culture in Modern America” published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 2015. His current research is a college-oriented survey of Pennsylvania's environmental history for the History Studies Series of the Pennsylvania Historical Association.  

Dieterich-Ward joined the faculty at Shippensburg in 2006. He was awarded a Teaching Innovation in Pedagogical Spotlight Award in 2013 and Shippensburg University Provost’s Award for Extraordinary Service in 2010-11. He was also awarded the Urban History Association Prize for Best Scholarly Article Published in 2009. 

He earned his master’s degree and doctorate in history from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree at the College of Wooster. 

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 (570) 208-5900, ext. 5689.

Dieterich-Ward.jpg

Dr. Allen Dieterich-Ward of Shippensburg University will deliver the annual Labor Day Lecture at 7 p.m. on Sept. 5 at King’s College. 

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

August 7, 2018 – Poetry In Transit, an award-winning community program, will host a free public launch party to announce the 13 contributing poets whose work will be featured on Luzerne County Transportation Authority (LCTA) buses in the coming year.  The event will be held  at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at the Barnes & Noble Wilkes-Kings Bookstore on the Public Square in Wilkes-Barre. The event will be part of Third Friday Art Walk. 

The selected poets will share their works at the event. Poetry in Transit contributing poets will be Maddison Black, Samantha Bucher, Janine P. Dubik, Amlanjyoti Goswami, Maria Jacketti, Nancy Jackson, Tom Johnson-Medland, Sara Pisak, Brianna Schunk, Megan Sobieski, Samantha Stanich, John Lemuel Woods, and Terry Zipay.

The poems are featured on LCTA buses for up for one year, with a monthly rotation so that riders can see all of the selections. The theme for the 2018 program is “Unbreakable.”

Jennifer Yonkoski, assistant technical professor of English at King’s College, coordinates the program. Poetry in Transit is inspired by “Poetry In Motion” on New York's Transit System and London’s “Poems on the Underground” program. The Luzerne County project began in 2007 with 12 placards featuring the work of established and canonized poets such as Wordsworth, Dickinson and Frost. The work of local poets was introduced to the project in 2008.

July 31, 2018 – Tom Smith, a dedicated alumnus, mentor, and current chair of the King’s College Board of Directors, has been selected as the fifth recipient of the Rev. James Lackenmier, C.S.C., Award for Achievement and Leadership.  The award will be presented at a ceremony to be held Thursday, October 18, at the Union League of Philadelphia.

Proceeds from the award dinner will benefit the King’s College Presidential Hope Fund, a critical resource that supports deserving King’s students who are faced with unforeseen financial hardships that threaten their ability to complete their undergraduate studies.  Nearly $840,000 has been raised for the Fund through the four previous award dinners.

The award dinner will be held in conjunction with the College’s 14th annual McGowan School of Business Forum.

“Tom Smith is a committed Monarch who leads by example,” said Father John Ryan, C.S.C., King’s president.  “Despite many demands on his time, he is ever-present on King’s Campus, and he is accessible to students, faculty, and staff. The priests and brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross play an important role in his life, counting many of these special men as close friends.”

Smith is the vice president of finance for Campbell’s Snacks and International Business, where he has fiscal responsibility for nearly 50 percent of the company’s global revenues. In addition, he is overseeing the financial integration of the recent $6.1 billion Snyder’s-Lance acquisition, the largest in the company’s history.

A 1977 graduate of King’s, Smith began his career as an auditor at Coopers & Lybrand. In 1981, he joined The Campbell Soup Company in Camden, NJ, where he has steadily advanced through increasing levels of financial and management responsibilities to where he currently leads a global team of more than 300 finance professionals.  A resident of Cherry Hill, NJ, Smith has been a member of King’s Board of Directors for 23 years and has served in the role of the Chairman of the Board for the past eight years.

“King’s College inspired me to seek more than I thought I could ever achieve,” said Smith “They taught me the importance of hard-work and being committed to excellence and to each other.  These are values I try to share with my team members and to personally live every day.”

With more than 35 years at Campbell, Smith has helped solidify the company’s global market presence, while mitigating many of the financial risks associated with these strategic initiatives. He is credited with helping Campbell expand its market throughout the US and Asia-Pacific.

In addition to helping Campbell grow its global market, Smith helped revitalize leading brands and innovate key manufacturing facilities. When he was senior vice president of finance for Pepperidge Farms, he led the financial team during the launch of the iconic Goldfish Colors and Goldfish Graham Crackers.

The annual McGowan School of Business Forum provides approximately 100 King’s students each year an opportunity to be mentored by leaders in the business field, most of whom are graduates of the College.  The mentoring session is followed by a formal dinner, presentation of the award, and remarks by the recipient.  The award dinner and Forum rotate on an annual basis between New York City, Philadelphia, and Wilkes-Barre.

Tickets for the event are $250/person or $175/person for King’s graduates from the classes of 2008 to the present.  Various levels of sponsorships and program ads are available. For further information, contact Rose Gryskevicz at  rosegryskevicz@kings.edu at 570-208-5879.

Smith.jpg

Tom Smith

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

August 16, 2018 - Two King’s College students, a recent graduate, and an administrator attended the three-day Student Ambassador Leaders Together (SALT) Summit, held recently at Loyola University and the headquarters of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), both in Baltimore, and at Capitol Hill.

The group was among representatives from 60 student ambassador teams from colleges and universities from across the country to attend the event organized by CRS.

The purpose of the summit was to cultivate skills, passion, and knowledge to allow college students to advocate for policy change on key international humanitarian issues, such as migration, hunger, climate change, and human trafficking.   During the summit, delegates participated in policy briefings and skill-building sessions focused on leadership, campus organizing and advocacy.

The King’s delegation made legislative visits with staffers of both Pennsylvania Senators and a member of the House of Representatives on the final day 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.

SALT-18-Conference.JPG

Pictured, from left, is Bethany Makuta, vice president of the King’s CRS Campus Ambassadors; Katelyn Talbot, president of King’s CRS Campus Ambassadors; Margaret Kowalsky, director of the King’s Office of Study Abroad and advisor to the King’s CRS Campus Ambassadors; and Tara Westington, a May graduate and former secretary of the King’s CRS Campus Ambassadors.

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

August 23, 2018 – King’s College will host a nonpartisan panel discussion on the limits and scope of presidential power as the topic of its annual Constitution Day lecture to be held at 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 17, in the Burke Auditorium. Sponsored by King’s McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, the panel discussion is free and open to the public. 

The panel, titled, “The Scope and Limits of Presidential Power: A Nonpartisan Discussion,” will feature political science professors Dr. Beth Admiraal of King’s, Dr. Thomas Baldino of Wilkes University, and constitutional law professor and lawyer Dr. Michael Moreland of Villanova University. 

The lecture will focus on the constitutional constraints on presidential power in the U.S. political system, particularly how U.S. presidents have interpreted their constitutional powers. There will also be discussion of the U.S. system of checks and balances, with a comparison of other country’s political structures, including impeachment powers and processes.

Admiraal is a professor of political science at King’s. A past recipient of the Hon. Max and Tillie Rosenn Award for Faculty Excellence, she served as a faculty co-leader for a study abroad experience to Eastern Europe, titled “Identity and Place in Slavic Cultures.” In addition to her teaching experience, she writes on issues of nation and religion in the post-Soviet world. She is currently the book review editor for “Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe.” 

Baldino is a professor of political science at Wilkes. He has served as interim dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as chairperson of the political science department and division of social sciences.  His teaching and research interests include legislative politics, parties and elections, and Pennsylvania government and politics.  He serves as a faculty associate to the Legislative Office of Research Liaison of the PA House of Representatives and as the associate editor of “Commonwealth,” the journal of the Pennsylvania Political Science Association.

Moreland was appointed University Professor of Law and Religion and Director of the Eleanor H. McCullen Center for Law, Religion and Public Policy at Villanova University in 2017. A renowned scholar of constitutional law, torts, bioethics, and religious freedom, he is frequently sought for commentary at national and international conferences, in the media, and before Congress. He has published articles in leading legal, public policy and medical journals. Most recently he was a Visiting Professor of Law at the University of Notre Dame and the Mary Ann Remick Senior Visiting Fellow at the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture.

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, contact Dr. Bernard Prusak, director of the McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, at (570) 208-5900, ext. 5689 or e-mail BernardPrusak@kings.edu. 

Admiraal.jpg

Baldino.jpg

Moreland.jpg

Dr. Beth Admiraal of King’s College and Dr. Thomas Baldino of Wilkes University and constitutional law professor and lawyer Dr. Michael Moreland will participate in a panel discussion on the limits and scope of presidential power during the Constitution Day Event at 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 17, at King’s College.

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

August 23, 2018 – Forty local high school students will showcase a variety of original creative works during “The 16th Invitational Emerging Artists Exhibition” to be held from Monday, Aug. 27, through Friday, Sept. 21, in the Widmann Gallery at King’s College. 

Each student was invited to participate based on his or her artistic talent and past record of exhibitions and awards. Exhibiting artworks will be high school students representing home schooled students and 11 local high schools, including Elizabeth Weed, Bethlehem Catholic; Julia Poncavage, Crestwood High School; Sarah Gurzynski, Nicole Jacobs, Johanna Kiska, Rachel Klinges, Alexis Lanza, Bryan Osipower, Lexie Oster, Joshua Peters, Jimmy Ruane, Sarah Stallard, Caroline Stallard, Alicia Vincelli and Morgan Williams, Dallas High School; Bobby Brenner, Coughlin; Claire Dougherty, Katie Kaplanski, Alyssa Kapsick, Morgan Masters, Samantha Mihalko, Cierra Snyder, Abbey Stokes and Madalyn Wright, Lake-Lehman; Amelia Grudkowski, Isabella Locke and Madeline Mohutsky, Holy Redeemer; Keirstyn Empfield and Katherine Majeski, Homeschool; Caitlyn McHenry and Rachel Polifka, Nanticoke Area; Miranda Nardone, Scranton Preparatory School; Emily Fairchild and Chelcea Morgan, Wyoming Area; Nicole Amoachi, and Leanna Yatcilla, Wyoming Seminary; and Hannah Leary, Alyssa Pisano, Kristin Pisano and Karly Wolfe, Wyoming Valley West.

The exhibit is coordinated by local artist Sue Hand, who holds an honorary doctorate of humanities from King’s College. The artists will discuss their work from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, in the Widmann Gallery in the Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center, located between North Franklin and North Main streets. 

The exhibition is free and open to the public. 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. 

50-Shades-of-Green.jpg

“50 Shades of Green,” watercolor by Amelia Grudkowski will be on display in the Widmann Gallery at King’s College. Grudkowski is a tenth grade student at Holy Redeemer High School. 

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

August 24, 2018 – Ten new full-time faculty members have joined the King’s College community for the 2018-19 academic year.  The group includes four King’s College graduates.

Dr. Thomas Concannon has been appointed instructor of computer science. Previously a part-time instructor in mathematics at King’s since 2010, he earned the status of adjunct instructor in August of 2017. His professional experience includes serving as a Software Applications Engineer at Synopsys, Inc. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University, a master’s of science from Lehigh University, and a doctorate from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Matthew Eaton, assistant professor of theology, was a Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow at Fordham University, an adjunct assistant professor at St. John’s University, New York, an instructor at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut and an instructor at University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Bethel College, master’s degree from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, and doctorate from the University of St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto. 

Katherine Filbert has been named instructor of philosophy. Prior to coming to King’s, she was a part-time instructor of philosophy at King’s and an adjunct faculty member in the Philosophy Department at Villanova University, where she earned her master’s degree. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Towson University.

Hussam Ghunaim is an assistant professor of computer science. His classroom experience includes serving as a Visiting Lecturer at Rochester Institute of Technology, a Visiting Instructor at Ohio Northern University, and a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Bridgeport. He earned his bachelor’s degree from United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, UAE, a master’s degree at London South Bank University, and he is expected to graduate with his doctorate this fall from the University of Bridgeport. 

Dr. Ismail Haltas, assistant professor of civil engineering, previously served as a Senior Research Fellow at Cranfield University, United Kingdom, and an associate professor at Zirve University, Turkey.  He earned his bachelor’s degree from Middle East Technical University, Ankara, and a master’s degree and doctorate from University of California – Davis. 

King’s alumna Jessica Hildebrand will serve as instructor of accounting. After graduating from King’s in 2015, Hildebrand earned her MBA from Capella University. In addition to working as an adjunct professor at Bloomsburg University, she was as a Core Tax Senior Associate at Price Waterhouse Coopers, LLP.  

Dr. Corinne Kiessling, assistant professor of neuroscience, was a clinical assistant professor and a research assistant professor at the Freshman Research Immersion program – Neuroscience stream at Binghamton University, where she earned her master’s degree and doctorate. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University. 

After graduating from the Physician Assistant master’s degree program at King’s in 2015, Gianna Moulton was a Physician Assistant in Internal Medicine with a local doctor and instructor of pre-medical programs at Hazleton Area STEM High School. She has been named a assistant clinical professor in physician assistant studies. 

King’s graduate Linette Rayeski has been appointed assistant technical professor of accounting. After earning her bachelor’s degree from King’s in 1998, she earned her MBA from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business. Rayeski brings significant professional experience to the classroom, including serving as an advisor at E to Infinity LLC, in West New York, NJ; the vice president of finance at Glansaol, New York; Operations Accounting Manager, Global Manufacturing & Distribution Centers at Ali Group, and Inter Metro Industries, Wilkes-Barre. She also returns to King’s after serving as an assistant technical professor of accounting at King’s from 2013-2015.

Christopher Stine was named instructor of philosophy. He served as an adjunct instructor at both Immaculata University and King’s, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 2002. He earned his master’s degree from West Chester University.

New-Faculty-18.jpg

Ten new full-time faculty members have joined the King’s College community for the 2018-19 academic year.  Pictured at the College’s new faculty orientation, from left, are: Jessica Hildebrand, Ismail Haltas, Corinne Kiessling. Dr. Matthew Eaton, and Gianna Moulton. Absent from photo are Dr. Thomas Concannon, Katherine Filbert, Hussam Ghunaim, Linette Rayeski, and Christopher Stine.

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

August 28, 2018 - Michael Post, a resident of Plains and a 2017 graduate of King’s College, recently became the first King’s student to earn a Master of Science degree in Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame.   Post attended the Mendoza College of Business at Notre Dame as part of a unique relationship that provides qualified King’s accounting students guaranteed admission to one-year master’s degree program in accountancy.

Post has also accepted a position in the Assurance Services Division in the San Francisco office of Ernst & Young, a ‘Big Four” accounting firm.

A graduate of Coughlin High School, Post graduated with cum laude honors from King’s with majors in accounting and finance and a minor in economics.  He was selected for membership to the Aquinas Society, the King’s College honor society, as well as national honor societies for students in accounting, finance and economics.  In addition to membership in the Accounting Association and Investments and Finance Club, he also participated in service initiative that raised money for a Holy Cross Congregation school in Uganda.  He was also a four-year member of the College’s golf team.

Post completed accounting internships at both Wilkes-Barre based Prociak and Associates and Kearney and Company in Virginia.

While at King’s, Post benefitted from the Presidential Hope Fund and addressed the College’s annual McGowan Business Forum in 2016.

Based on his academic achievement and extracurricular activities at King’s Post received a partial scholarship toward his one year of studies at Notre Dame.

While at Notre Dame, Post participated in an immersion program to China to study for business and cultural advancement.  He was also a member of the university’s Boxing Club and was a Becker CPA Campus Ambassador.

Post is the son of Robert and Joanne Post.

Michael-Post.JPG

Michael Post

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

August 30, 2018 - For the 11th consecutive year, King’s College has been placed on an exclusive list of “Best American Colleges” published by “Forbes” magazine. The list is based on multiple factors related to success after graduation, debt, student satisfaction, graduation rate, and academic success.

King’s placed 590th in the annual rankings.  King’s is the only Luzerne County college or university included in the list of the top 650 in the country and one of only two institutions (University of Scranton) from either Luzerne or Lackawanna County. Both have been named to the list every year of its existence.

Forbes considered for inclusion on the list all colleges and universities with an undergraduate enrollment greater than 300 students which retained at least 60 percent of incoming students during a three-year period and had a six-year graduation rate of at least 25 percent. 

According to the magazine, “Forbes' list of top colleges aims to measure what we believe students care about most. Where will a college steer them in their life after graduation? How likely are they to find success in their chosen field, to earn enough money to pay their student debt, and to become leaders in private and public life?”

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

September 4, 2018 - Twenty-six students recently began their first year of study at King’s College as part of the 1-2-1 Dual Degrees in Nursing Partnership in conjunction with Luzerne County Community College (LCCC). 

The 1-2-1 Dual Degrees in Nursing Partnership is based on students doing course work on both King’s and LCCC campuses. It allows students to receive two degrees, an associate of science and a bachelor’s of science in nursing, in four years.

Students in the 1-2-1 Dual Degrees in Nursing Partnership 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 primarily devoted to nursing studies at LCCC, including labs and clinicals, with some additional core classes at King’s.

At the end of the third year, students will take the National Council Licensure Examination for registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). During the final year, students can practice as an RN while completing the RN to BS in Nursing program and any outstanding core courses at King’s.

Dual-Degrees-Nursing.jpg

Pictured seated, from left, are student participants Erika Freely, Genevieve Federici, Samayah Coleman-Smith, Valerie Genao, Megan Giangiulio, Samantha Labenski, Gianna Marsico, Hannah Redding, and Eden Stella.

Pictured in second row, from left, is Dr. Deborah Vilegi- Payne, PhD., RN, dean of nursing health, Luzerne County Community College; student participants Nicole Kalinowski, Meghan Smith, Hunter Masters, Alison Binderup, Isabelle Colon, Alanis St. Clair, Elaina Coppola, Paige Parchinski, Olivia Hains, Faith Schaffer, Kathleen Kerlin, Taylor Bradley, Vaughn Hayes, Marisa Mauro; and Dr. Cynthia Mailloux, PhD., RN, CNE, professor and department chair of nursing, King’s College.

Pictured in back row, from left, are student participants Caleb Cragle, Matthew Piontkowski, and Ward Beley.

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

September 5, 2018 - Nine King’s College students have begun a 16-week student teaching experience at area elementary and senior high schools. The supervised teaching experience is necessary to fulfill King’s degree requirements and to obtain a Pennsylvania Teacher Certificate.

Student-Teachers-Receive-Assignments.JPG

Pictured, seated, from left, are student teachers Elizabeth Koch, Lee Park Elementary; Nickarena Gilpin, Wyoming Area Primary; Brooke O’Brien, Solomon-Plains Elementary; Nicole Dileo, Wyoming Area Primary; Rose Melf, St.Nicholas/St. Mary Elementary; Nicole Halbing, Lee Park Elementary; and Alaina Garubba, Kistler Elementary.

Pictured standing, from left, are student teachers Sean McCormick, Hazleton High School, and Brandon Zlotek, Wyoming Valley West High School; Doreen Lavan and Teresa McAndrew, student teacher supervisors; Brother Stephen LaMendola, CSC, Director of Student Teaching; and Dr. Denise Reboli, chair of the Education Department.

In addition to providing programs leading to an initial license, King's Education Department offers master’s degree programs in curriculum and instruction, special education, and reading. The College’s Post Baccalaureate program is available for persons possessing a bachelor’s degree who wish to become certified teachers in about 18 months and includes certificates in elementary, secondary, special education and languages.

For more information about King’s Education Department graduate programs, call (570) 208-5991 or visit www.kings.edu/academics/graduate_majors.

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

September 7, 2018 - David Schappert was recently named director of the D. Leonard Corgan Library at King’s College. 

Prior to his appointment at King’s, Schappert served as Director of Library Services and Learning Commons Manager at Marywood University.  Previously, he was Director of the Library and Instructional Services at East Stroudsburg University and as the Director of Reeves Library at Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem.  

Schappert earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from Michigan State University, a master of Library Science from Drexel University, and, in May, a master of arts degree in Theological Studies from Moravian Theological Seminary. 

Schappert has served as chair of the Keystone Library Network and as Board President of both the Pennsylvania Library Association and the Pennsylvania Academic Library Consortium, Inc.

Schappert.JPG

David Schappert

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

September 11, 2018 - King’s College’s eighth annual Diversity Festival will kick-off with a Spanish Fiesta and will include free film screenings and several international cultural offerings.  The events will be held in September and October on the College’s campus.

The festival opens with a celebration of Latin American heritage during the Spanish Fiesta from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19, in Monarch Court, on the center of the campus. Local vendors will be on hand to sell authentic foods as part of a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The first-floor lobby of the Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center, located between N. Main and N. Franklin streets, will serve as a rain location.

Screenings of the films “Black Panther” will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 26, and “McFarland USA” on Wednesday, October 3, in the Burke Auditorium, William G. McGowan School of Business, on North River Street.   Both screenings begin at 7 p.m.

In addition to the film screenings, the Diversity Festival features “The Ultimate Flag Challenge,” which includes games and prizes based on knowledge of national flags. The event will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Thursday, September 27, in the Campus Center. 

The festival will conclude with an “Around the World” event at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9, in the lobby of the first floor of the Campus Center.  Information tables will be set up representing various countries and food dishes representing the countries will also be available.

King’s Eighth 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, Director, McGowan Hispanic Outreach Program, at (570) 208-8021 or Jasmine L Giddings, Director of Multicultural and International Student Programs at (570)208-5898.

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

September 12, 2018 - Six nurses working for local hospitals have begun their studies as part of the inaugural RN-to-BS in Nursing program at King’s College.

The program was established at King’s in response to the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation that the RN workforce with bachelor’s degrees increase from 50 percent to 80 percent by 2020. 

The coursework, which will focus on primary care, teaching and learning, leadership and management, and global health, is designed to allow current Registered Nurses with an associate or diploma degree an opportunity to further their education and increase their opportunities for career advancement. 

Further information about the RN to BS program is available by visiting kings.edu/nursing or by contacting Brigit Ford at (570)208-8408 (brigitford@kings.edu) or Cynthia Mailloux (cynthiamailloux@kings.edu) at (570)208-5900, x. 5210.

King's also offers a Dual Degrees in Nursing (DDN) partnership with Luzerne County Community College which offers students a seamless route to earning the BS in nursing degree in just four years. It is tailored to traditional-aged first-year college students seeking a four-year degree in nursing.  The 1-2-1 Dual Degrees in Nursing is based on students doing course work on both campuses. The pathway allows students to receive two degrees, an AS and a BS in nursing, in four years. 

Nurses-Inaugural-RN-to-BS.JPG

Pictured, from left, is Dr. Deborah Vilegi- Payne, PhD., RN, dean of nursing health, Luzerne County Community College; Christine Bonczewski and Kimberly Thomas, both Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre; Wendy Bealla, Geisinger Wyoming Valley; Michelle Phares and Sirena Mehall, both Commonwealth Medical Systems; and Dr. Cynthia Mailloux, PhD., RN, CNE, professor and department chair of nursing, King’s College.

Missing from photo is Terri Cesarini, Geisinger Community Medical Center Scranton.

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

September 14, 2018 - A free heart screening for area youth ages 12-19 will be held at King’s on the Square, located on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 6.  The event is being sponsored by The Peyton Walker Foundation, King’s College, Geisinger and District II of the PIAA.

The heart screening clinic is open to students who are not currently under the care of a cardiologist. All participants will receive a vital check and electrocardiogram free of charge. For students whose results indicate the need for additional testing, echocardiograms will also be provided on-site free of charge.

Approximately 120 people can be screened at the event. People interested in participating must pre-register by Saturday, September 29.  Registration can be completed at PeytonWalker.org.

The Peyton Walker Foundation was established in memory of a King’s College student who died in a King’s residence hall in November 2013 from sudden cardiac arrest related to a genetic heart condition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. At the time of her death, Peyton was a sophomore physician assistant major at King’s.

The heart screening at King’s on the Square is the first to be offered in Northeastern Pennsylvania by the foundation.  Most of the foundation’s previous activities have occurred in the Central Pennsylvania area where more than 1,500 young men and women have been screened and almost 30 significant and previously undiagnosed cardiac conditions have been detected.  The Walker family resides in Mechanicsburg. 

Additional information is available by contacting the Peyton Walker Foundation at (717) 697-5511 or by visiting PeytonWalker.org.

Peyton-Walker.JPG

Peyton Walker

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

September 17, 2018 - Sixty 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 2018 is the 42^nd 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.

PA-Graduates.JPG

Pictured in first row, from left is Natasha Raffai, Marissa Breeze, Erin Hurley, Heather Horvath, Tarah Zajaczkowski, Devon Bizarre, Aaron Sosa, Jacqueline Biacco, Kimberly Stanford, Grace Geno, Melissa Colon-Roman, and Mae Janiga.

Pictured in second row, from left, is Jordyn O’Leary, Brenna Smudde, Eleanor Cabrera, Julia Shandra, Julianna Grandinetti, Lauren Ax, Tia Pilikian, Briannon Yadrick, Marissa Durako, Lauren Francisci, Ancy Chempola, and Adam Andriulli.

Pictured in third row, from left, is Frank Commisso, Spoorthy Challa, Alexa Lambert, Madysen Jones, Jordan Kingdon, Rebecca Johnson, Anthony Tolerico, Amanda Millard, Meghan Cawley, Amber Soden, Nicolle Finn, and Samuel Goldheart.

Pictured in fourth row, from left, is Leah Makarevich, Tia Rex, Brianna Heldt, Jocelyn Mastaler, Kaylee Grapsy, Andrea Grammatico, Miranda Warunek, Jamie Broughton, Marybeth Rudy, Elizabeth George, Justin Liddy, and Kiera Halligan.

Pictured in back row, from left, is Kathryn Harpin, Tyler Gallagher, Dylan Saxon, Alexander Taylor, Justin Barnett, Courtney Stefanik, Molly Conlin, Nicholas Kaufman, Thomas Madigan, Macy Bosshard, Alexandra Garrett, and Matthew Messina.