A look back at some historic highlights from 2001 through today.

2021

After enduring the Covid-19 pandemic since February of 2020, Marywood University announced a plan to return to in-person classes in the Fall of 2021.

Marywood University’s Eighth Annual Community Leadership Celebration, Inspiring Social Justice, honored Jim and Cathy Gavin of Scranton.

Marywood University was notified that its Graphic Design program ranks among the top 10 in Pennsylvania, and its Illustration program ranks number 4 in the state and number 18 on the east coast for 2021, by Animation Career Review.

Marywood University’s Accounting and Finance Club held a candlelight vigil on April 27, 2021, to pay respects and honor the lives lost to Covid-19.

February 22, 2021, marked 50 years since a massive fire destroyed the Motherhouse and Seminary at Marywood University. The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary held a memorial service on Sunday, February 21, 2021.

For the first time, Marywood University offered an Esports program during the Fall semester of 2021. The competitive games offered include Overwatch, League of Legends, and Rocket League.

Marywood University's School of Architecture students won first place in the Attached Housing Division of the 2021 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Design Challenge.

On May 20, 2021, Stephanie Wise, Director of the Art Therapy Program, was one of three panelists on WVIA discussing working with Veterans and the arts, “The Veteran’s Experience and the Expressive Arts.”

2020

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Spring 2020 semester shifted to online only after Spring Break. Classes would move to a hybrid system in the Fall 2020 semester, but full in-person classes were still prohibited.

The University purchased the former Holy Family Residence, renaming it Marywood Heights, and established it as the first university-based retirement community (UBRC) in Northeast Pennsylvania. Students will use the space free of charge for their clinical rotations and internships. Additionally, those who reside at Marywood Heights can participate in life at Marywood, such as musical events, art exhibits, use of the Learning Commons, and more.

Marywood’s chapter of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, won the 2019-2020 Psi Chi Model Chapter award. Psi Chi’s Board of Directors and Central Office staff chose only 23 chapters to achieve the Model Chapter status from nearly 1,200 chapters. 

Marywood University’s String Project was selected to be featured in a national documentary by the music company J.W. Pepper. The documentary featured the National String Project Consortium’s (NSPC) Virtual Orchestra celebrating its 20^th Anniversary.

Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., 12^th president of Marywood University, was honored by the Board of Trustees with an endowed scholarship in her name to celebrate her 50^th Jubilee. 

2019

Lindsay Wotanis, Ph.D., associate professor of communication arts, was elected to serve as President of the Society for Collegiate Journalists' National Council at the Society's biennium conference in Louisville, Ky.

Dr. Mary Jo Gunning ’79 announced her retirement after almost 30 years of leadership as Marywood’s Director of Athletics and Recreation, effective June 1, 2019.

In December, Marywood University was named among 2019’s Best Places to Work by the Times Leader Media Group.

Marywood University’s School of Architecture was ranked in one of the top tiers of schools with the most hired graduates from architecture schools by the DesignIntelligence 2019 School Rankings Survey. It was also among the Top 50 Best Architecture Degrees by Learn.org.

Marywood was recognized as one of the 2019 Best Online Master’s in Emergency Management programs in the nation by BestColleges, a leading provider of independent college rankings, college planning resources, and higher education research.

Marywood University senior Interior Architecture students received three of the top ten international design awards from Formica Brand Corporation. Jessica Reid, Oxford, N.J., was awarded third place for her “G Table”, and she received $500. She will also be featured in Form Magazine. Allison Plunkett, Hatboro, Pa., received fifth place with her “Imagination Table” design; and Brandon Freely, Clifford Twp., Pa., rounded out the top ten designs with his “Geode Table” design.

In 2019, Marywood’s Early Childhood Education Program ranked among the best in the country in a recent listing of Study.com’s Best Early Childhood Education Schools.

Marywood University is among Money’s 2020 Best Colleges. Marywood also offers the “Best Value” among Northern Regional Universities, according to the 2020 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges ranking. Marywood University’s clinical psychology doctoral program (Psy.D) ranked #30 among the top 50 in the nation for students to consider in 2020.

2018

On June 2, 2018, during Alumni Weekend, the Michael and Gwen Calabro Delfino ’47 Amphitheatre was formally dedicated by Sister Mary Persico, IHM, President, and blessed by Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn, friend of the University. This made it possible for outdoor summer concerts and performances to return to campus.

Marywood University ranked #17 on the “Best Value Online Colleges in Pennsylvania 2018” list issued by Best Value Schools.

For the first time in their history, Marywood University’s Chamber Singers were invited to perform at the American Choral Directors Association Conference at Lincoln University. Through a competitive application process, Marywood University’s Chamber Singers were one of four choirs chosen to perform at the conference, which took place on October 27, 2018. 

Joy Hughes was appointed as the founding director of Marywood’s new Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) Program, the only BSRT program in the region. 

Marywood University was the recipient of the Moses Taylor Foundation Grant in the amount of $103,147 to purchase an Anatomage Table.It is both a virtual library of human and animal cadavers, as well as a clinical diagnostic tool by visualization of any Medical CT, CBCT, or MRI Scan.

Marywood's women's cross country team earned the first-ever Atlantic East Conference Team Academic Award, officials announced Wednesday. The Pacers' runners finished the Fall 2018 semester with the highest GPA for any Atlantic East athletics program.

Marywood’s newest varsity sports, Men’s and Women’s Rugby, held a Rugby Preview Day on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life, in the McGowan Community Room.

The newly established Presidential Mission Medal was presented for the first time at the Presidential Society Dinner to Dr. Ann Henry, alumna and former Board Chair, for her extraordinary commitment to the mission of Marywood University. Dr. Henry was recognized for giving generously of her time, energy, talents, and personal resources to the advancement of the University.

The National Band Association Executive Committee appointed F. David Romines, DMA, Associate Professor of Music Education, Director of Bands, and Co-chairperson of the Music, Theatre, and Dance Department at Marywood University, to the post of State Chair of Pennsylvania.

2017

Richard Joseph Behun, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS, was chosen by the North Atlantic Region of the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision (NARACES) as the recipient of its 2017 New Professional of the Year Award, and he was selected by the National Board of Certified Counselors Foundation as their sole featured Volunteer of the Month in April 2017.

Harlow Alexander and Taylor Morgan, music education students, met with members of the House of Representatives to lobby for music education. Also, Marywood’s National Association for Music Education Collegiate Chapter (NAfME-C) was selected to receive two national awards, the Chapter of Excellence for its Music Program and the Professional Achievement Award.

Aviation Club members volunteered at the 2017 Northeastern Pennsylvania Air Show.

The School of Social Work hosted a Heroin & Opioid Addiction Panel Discussion on April 4, 2017. Panelists included: State Senator John Blake, Carl Graziano, Douglas Albertson, and Richardo Horn. Stacy Lange, WNEP-TV, moderated the discussion.

Marywood’s Graduate Criminal Justice Program announced that the program would be entirely online for Fall 2017.

The Nutrition Program has been ranked #1 on the National Center for Education and Statistics list of Best Colleges.

As part of National Depression Screening Day, the Psychological Services Center offered free depression screenings to the community on October 5, 2017.

Richard Joseph Behun, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS, was chosen by the North Atlantic Region of the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision (NARACES) as the recipient of its 2017 New Professional of the Year Award, and he was selected by the National Board of Certified Counselors Foundation as their sole featured Volunteer of the Month in April 2017.

The Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams collected Marywood gear for those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

2016

In January 2016, Sister Anne Munley, IHM, Ph.D., Marywood’s 11th president, announced her retirement, effective June 30, 2016. In April, the Board of Trustees named Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D. as Marywood University’s 12th President, and she began her tenure on July 1, 2016, and was formally inaugurated on October 28, 2016.

Marywood signed several new articulation agreements to enhance a shared commitment to students with other institutions.Marywood partners with local colleges, such as Lackawanna College and Luzerne County Community College, as well as community colleges in New York and New Jersey, to create articulation agreements that help students attain their educational goals.

Dr. Mona Griffer, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), was notified that she was elected an ASHA Fellow—one of the highest forms of recognition awarded to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding performance and have made significant contributions to the profession.