Gretchen J. Van Dyke, Ph.D., Receives Earl Award

Gretchen J. Van Dyke, Ph.D., associate professor in the Political Science Department at The University of Scranton, received the John L. Earl III Award for service to the University, the faculty and the wider community. The 2024 John L. Earl III Award was presented at the University's annual Fall Convocation, which took place on campus on Sept. 6.

The award is given annually to a member of the University community who demonstrates the spirit of generosity and dedication that the late Dr. John Earl, a distinguished professor of history, exemplified during his years at Scranton from 1964 to 1996.

Stephen E. Whittaker, Ph.D., professor of English and theatre and the 2023 John L. Earl III Award recipient, read the citation for Dr. Van Dyke, which described her as "a person with and for others" who has "generously embraced her duties as a department member, faculty colleague and advisor to administrators and students." In presenting the award to Dr. Van Dyke, he said that she "has fully engaged in the academic and social fabric of the greater University community since her first arrival on campus."

At Scranton, Dr. Van Dyke has served as the Truman Scholarship advisor, a faculty mentor in the University Honors Program and member of the Honors Council, and a member of the University's Fulbright committee and the First-Year Seminar program. She created the popular political science European Union simulation preparatory course, the students of which have participated since 1996 in the annual intercollegiate Mid-Atlantic European Simulation in Washington, DC. She has also developed and taught courses that address contemporary questions of war and peace, global justice and humanitarianism. Dr. Van Dyke received the University's 2020 "Excellence in Advancing Global Learning Award," which recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated remarkable academic leadership in integrating international issues and perspectives into the curriculum. In 2013 she was recognized with a University's Provost Award for "Excellence in Integrating Mission and Justice into the Curriculum."

Dr. Van Dyke has served as a vice-chair and grievance officer on the Faculty Affairs Council, a 15-year member of faculty handbook committee and a faculty marshal and member of the University's Commencement Committee since 2004. In 2012, she became the first University faculty member to complete the 18-month Ignatian Colleagues Program of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Since 2000, she has served as the University's faculty representative to the Lilly Network of Church-Related Colleges and Universities. She currently is a member of both the Lilly Network National Board and the Friendship House Board of Directors here in Scranton.

Dr. Van Dyke joined the faculty at Scranton in 1994. She earned her bachelor's degree from Trinity College in Washington, D.C., and her master's degree and Ph.D. in foreign affairs at the University of Virginia.

At the Convocation, University President Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., congratulated Dr. Van Dyke on her "well-deserved" award.

In his State of the University address, Father Marina took inspiration from words engraved on a plaque he received from Providence University, a Catholic university in Taiwan that he visited last year. "'Love your students, then teach them;' six words so simple, yet so powerful and which help us to stay focused on why we came here and why we remain," said Father Marina. He recalled multiple instances throughout the 2023-2024 academic year when he saw that simple mantra expressed at Scranton, including the commencement address of Shabana Basij-Rasikh, the co-founder and president of the School of Leadership Afghanistan, whom the University recognized with an honorary degree.

In the commencement address, which roused a standing ovation, Basij-Rasikh called Scranton's class of 2024 graduates to "seek knowledge even to the ends of the earth." Father Marina said, quoting from Basij-Rasikh remarks, that this call is to all of us "'to be curious, to be fearless, to ask hard questions of others and yourselves, and with your knowledge, with compassion and with confidence be the actors who can finally create a better world.' All of that, and so much more, should easily propel us forward with strength and community to 'love our students and then teach them.' This is who we are," said Father Marina of The University of Scranton community.

Also speaking at the convocation were: David Marx, Ph.D., acting provost and senior vice president of academic affairs; Mary Elizabeth Moylan, faculty emeritus; Carolyn Barry, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Victoria Castellanos, Ph.D., dean of the Leahy College of Health Sciences; Murli Rajan, Ph.D., associate dean of the Kania School of Management; and George Aulisio, Ph.D., dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library.

Faculty who joined the University this academic year were also recognized at the event.