W I N T E R 2 0 2 0 heheart of me icine merican Medical ssociation honors founder of Volunteers in Medicine Clinic ... page 21 Presi ent Botzman assuming presi ency at University of Mount Union … Page MISERICORDIA TODAY MA AZINE | WINTER 2020 AICUP outlines economic impact of private higher education B Y PA U L K R Z Y W I C K I Mercy Hall EDUCATION t is an atypical late fall afternoon in higher education in regions Northeastern Pennsylvania, bright across the Commonwealth sunshine glistens off the windshields of Pennsylvania. A Iof passing motorists along state well-educated workforce is Route 415 in Dallas Borough. A the most tangible and HI HER couple, enjoying the unseasonably expected result of the 90 warm weather, walks their dog before private colleges and taking a short break and sitting on a universities in the Keystone bench in the new community park at state. Also, consider the investment in infrastructure that the intersection of the state influx of cultural events that enrich eliminates urban decay. thoroughfare and Lake Street to the region; the employment of monitor the changing of the seasons. countless neighbors and friends, and See STUDY, page 29 Nowadays, it is a common site to see passers-by and pedestrians alike appreciate the greenery of freshly laid o green with MU Today sod and leaves following seasonal tradition in the newly completed The Office of Planning and or an archived Misericordia University Community Park. External Relations publishes edition on a An institutional initiative almost Misericordia Today in February and mobile device three years in the making eliminated August. The award-winning at your neighborhood blight, and improved publication shares exciting leisure. traffic and pedestrian safety as the developments, such as new Readers University purchased underutilized academic programs, expansion of also can properties and land to create campus and additional title runs for continue to welcoming green space and additional our athletics teams. receive the traditional print version. parking for campus. Nearby, a state Beginning with the August 2020 Subscribers who wish to receive their program cleaned up traffic patterns with edition, subscribers can go green news by U.S. mail require no action. the construction of a round-about at the and secure their copy in an For more information, please call five-ways intersection and eliminated a electronic format. By typing the link Paul Krzywicki, editor, at 570-674- long-abandoned service station. below into your web browser and 6372 or email him at pkrzywicki@ The park and cleaner sightlines are providing information to the e-form, misericordia.edu. a fine example of how town-and-gown readers will receive issues in their Please go to www.misericordia. projects can have a host of beneficiaries, email inbox instead of their mailbox. edu/gogreen to activate your free most notably for host communities. The convenient e-edition can go electronic subscription to There are many ways, though, to with you anywhere. Read the latest Misericordia Today magazine. measure the true impact of private cougarconnect.misericordia.edu Instagram.com/MisericordiaAlumni Facebook.com/MisericordiaAlumni my YouTube.com/MisericordiaU Facebook.com/MisericordiaUniversity Storify.com/MisericordiaU MU Twitter.com/MisericordiaU Pinterest.com/MisericordiaU Twitter.com/MisericordiAlum Linkedin.com/groups/Misericordia-- Alumni 141612 Flickr.com/MisericordiaU Stay connected at www.misericordia.edu/social 2 W nter 2020 Volume XXIV, No. 1 Misericordia Today is published by the Office of Planning and External Relations. Misericordia University 301 Lake St. Dallas, PA 18612-1090 ADMINISTRATION 25 Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D. University acknowledges President milestone with Barbara Samuel, Ph.D. Henry Science Vice President, Planning and External Relations Center. David B. Rehm, Ph.D. Vice President, Academic Affairs Mark Van Etten, B.S. Vice President, Finance and Administration Susan Helwig, M.S. Vice President, University Advancement Jean Messaros, RSM, M.S. Vice President, Mission Integration Kathleen ‘Kit’ Foley, M.S. 18 28 Vice President, Student Life Medical community recalls life, legacy Lake Street beautification project lenn Bozinski, M.S. of the ‘father of intravenous feeding.’ receives rave reviews from community. Vice President, Enrollment Management MISERICORDIA TODAY STAFF Paul Krzywicki, Editor Manager, Public Relations and Publications Marianne Tucker Puhalla Staff Writer Kayley LeFaiver raphic Designer 32 39 eisinger promotes adult learner Meet men’s soccer team member alumna to chief nursing executive. Levi Roberts ’19, ‘22. ONLINE Read this edition and other publications produced by the Office of Planning and External Relations online at: publications.misericordia.edu. ON THE COVER Earning her medical degree at age 50, CONTACT alumna Susan Fort Sordoni ’68, M.D., Have a story to share? Contact Misericordia Today recently garnered accolades from by calling (570) 674-6372 or by e-mailing the editor the American Medical Association at [email protected]. Foundation and Misericordia University for her service to the community as the founder of the Volunteers in Medicine Misericordia Today is published in February clinic in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. The clinic and August by Misericordia University. The treats more than 3,200 “working poor” magazine is distributed for free to alumni, in Luzerne County each year. parents and friends of the University. To request a subscription, please call (570) 674-6764. Postmaster: Send address changes to Alumni Office, Misericordia University, Dallas, PA 18612-1090. Copyright Misericordia University 2019. 3 MISERICORDIA TODAY MA AZINE | WINTER 2020 President Botzman to assume presidency at Mount Union in July PRESIDENT President Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D., announced Jan. 23 his intent to resign from his post at Misericordia effective June 2020. Dr. Botzman, an Ohio native, has accepted the president’ s position at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. Dr. Botzman previously served for 15 years as a member of the faculty at Mount Union, where he held the posts of associate academic dean during the 2003- 04 from the academic year and director of international studies from 1993 to 1997. He will begin his service as president of Mount Union on July 1, 2020. “It has been my privilege to serve Misericordia University for the last seven years,” says Dr. Botzman. “The University is well positioned to prosper and deliver excellent academic programming in a collaborative and caring environment in the spirit of our founders, the Sisters of Mercy. “I cherish the relationships I have made here with students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees and the community,” he adds. “As I return to my home state to be closer to my family, I want to express my deep appreciation to the Misericordia community for the hospitality they have shared with Vanessa, abriela and me. I wish everyone associated with Misericordia University all the best in the years to come.” Information regarding a search to replace Dr. Botzman will be released at a later time after review by Board of Trustees leadership. Dr. Botzman officially became the 13th president of Misericordia University on July 1, 2013. During his time, the University undertook its largest fundraising campaign in history. The Now for Tomorrow Campaign, which has raised more than $35 million to date, is funding a large portion of the ongoing construction of the Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Science Center that is slated to be completed in late spring 2021. It will be the University’ s largest academic building. Other notable accomplishments during his seven years include increasing the size of the Ruth Matthews Bourger Women with Children program from 10 to 16 families, with a scheduled increase to 20 families in August 2020 thanks to the addition of a fourth dedicated home on campus. Misericordia also purchased and renovated two academic buildings, Mary and Allen Erwine Hall and Trocaire Hall, and acquired the adjacent Payne Printery building for future use by student life and academic programs. In addition, several faculty- led initiatives to add new academic majors were approved during his tenure, including a Doctor of Nursing Practice graduate degree as well as undergraduate degrees in statistics, sonography, medical and health humanities, and patient navigation. His administration also added the popular Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program in which more than 100 students have collaborated on complex scientific and scholarly research with faculty mentors in the three colleges. The number of full -time faculty increased from 111 to 145 while the percentage of courses taught by adjuncts decreased from 40 percent to 30 percent. Athletics added men’ s volleyball, and, in 2019, an intercollegiate esports program began. The campus enjoyed increased visibility of academic excellence, President Thomas J. ranging from a substantially higher number of student research Botzman, presentations to welcoming of scholars, such as the Woodrow Ph.D. Wilson Visiting Fellow Program. 4 PUBLICATIONS.MISERICORDIA.EDU IVIN ala honors Manetta, Soyka, Friedman and Noll he Board of Trustees honored four people at the established the Soyka Endowed Fund for care of the garden. annual Trustee Associates ala in September, She also established the Soyka Women Endowed whose leadership, generosity, dedication and Scholarship for the Bourger Women with Children Program, Tbenevolence has enabled the institution of higher collaborated on the Soyka/Charlotte Newcombe Endowed education to fully live its Catholic mission and evolve into a Scholarship for Mature Women, and founded the Soyka nationally ranked University. Fund for the Humanities. Trustee emeritus Sherry A. Manetta ‘72 and Barbara A. Mr. Friedman, his late wife, Pauline “Pauly” Friedman, and Soyka received the Trustee Associates Award for their children have been among MU’s most dedicated demonstrating outstanding dedication, service and benefactors. The art gallery and a home for the Bourger generosity in support of Misericordia. Manetta served her Women with Children Program bear the family name. alma mater for 15 years as a respected trustee.