Royals Attend an Evening for Northeast Pennsylvania’s Environment

By Amelia Farry '26, and Samantha Kosmark '26, Student Correspondents

University of Scranton representatives gathered recently at the 34th Annual Environmental Partnership Awards Dinner to celebrate sustainable initiatives and collaborative efforts to protect our planet. Award recipients were honored at an Evening for Northeast Pennsylvania's Environment on Oct. 17 at the Woodlands Inn & Resort in Plains Township.

The dinner emphasizes partnership and environmental stewardship and the awards celebrate impactful environmental efforts and recognize passionate individuals and groups making a tangible difference.

At the event, local conservation groups and youth leaders were acknowledged and honored. Their diverse efforts demonstrate that everyone can contribute to environmental sustainability. The event had a strong showing of University of Scranton students, many of whom were inspired by the impressive achievements of the award recipients. Carolyn McNamara Barry, Ph.D. Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Terrence Sweeney, professor and physiology program director, and Mark Murphy, director of sustainability, were all present, actively engaging with attendees and contributing to the inspirational atmosphere of the event.

"The evening was a great experience! It introduced new ways to increase our environmental awareness. There were tables set up by local companies and we were able to talk to them about their mission. This opened up new opportunities for our students to get involved in local environmental efforts," said Rebekah J. Thompson, president of the Society for Sustainability and Conservation, The event also led to an opportunity for us to meet other passionate students from Wilkes University and Lackawanna College. Overall, this was a fantastic event for learning about different ways our local area is working to keep our environment sustainable and healthy."

The dinner placed a strong emphasis on partnership, highlighting the significance of local organizations, businesses, and community members striving toward environmental activism. Tables were set up with informative displays where attendees could explore environmental projects, ask questions and learn about potential opportunities. These displays also featured information on internships, providing students the chance to explore future job opportunities within their field.

Attendees left with a strong message: Real environmental progress depends on collective action, community support, and ongoing education. Students and faculty from The University of Scranton attended alongside other local leaders and were inspired to elevate sustainability initiatives within their own community.

Groups and individuals honored at the 34th Annual Environmental Partnership:

• Anthracite Bicycle Coalition (Lackawanna County)
  
  
• Deborah Pike & the Dallas Intermediate School "Turtle Titans" (Luzerne County)
  
  
• Forest City Outdoor Town Action Team (Susquehanna County)
  
  
• Lacawac Sanctuary's Pocono Lake Ecological Observatory Network (PLEON) (Wayne County)
  
  
• Lackawanna/Luzerne County Master Watershed Stewards (Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties)
  
  
• Susquehanna Brewing Company (Luzerne County)
  
  
• Michelena DeNaples received the 2024 Emerging Environmental Leader Award (Lackawanna County)
  
  
• Grant Genzlinger received the 30th Annual Thomas P. Shelburne Environmental Leadership Award (Wayne County)
  
  

From left are officers of the University of Scranton's Society for Sustainability and Conservation the 2024-2025 academic year: Rebekah Thompson '26, president, Samantha Kosmark '26, chair of sustainability, and Mark Murphy, director of sustainability.