Ballet Theatre of Scranton
Joanne Arduino, artistic director of the dance company and owner of the Dance Studio, Scranton, was one of three adjudicators at the Greater New York chapter of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Artists conference and dance competition in Iselin, New Jersey. The event is held annually for members in the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut regions. In addition, Mrs. Arduino was honored as one of the “Top 25 Women in Business” by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. She has been directing, choreographing and producing dance and musical theater productions regionally for more than 40 years.
Benchmark,
McCabe Mortgage Group
Andrew McCabe is a loan officer with the company’s Northeastern Pennsylvania team. Mr. McCabe graduated from King’s College with his B.S. degree in finance. He has worked for the company for the last year, and has become licensed to originate residential mortgage loans throughout Pennsylvania. Mr. McCabe has been accepted to the Leadership Wilkes-Barre class of 2017.
Colbert & Grebas PC
Denise M. Sterenchock has joined as a case manager in the Kingston office. She earned her paralegal certificate from Penn State University, Hazleton Campus.
Dawn Edwards has joined as a case manager in the Moosic office.
Kenneth D. Motichka has been promoted to supervising case manager. Mr. Motichka attended Penn State, earning degrees in health policy and administration, gerontology and business. He will also be supervising all case managers in the Moosic and Kingston offices of the firm.
Delaware Highlands Conservancy
Diane Rosencrance is now executive director. Ms. Rosencrance has an extensive background in land protection initiatives, and has been an active partner with the conservancy in many of its regional activities. Retiring Executive Director Sue Currier leaves after 13 years. Under Ms. Currier’s leadership, the conservancy grew from a staff of one full-time employee to a team of six professional staff members, contractors and a large contingent of volunteers.
The Dime Bank
Melissa L. Wilkins has been promoted to assistant vice president, Hawley branch manager. Ms. Wilkins is a graduate of Wallenpaupack Area High School. She joined the bank as head teller of its Honesdale branch in October 2008. As a branch manager, she is responsible for supervising staff, originating loans, opening new deposit accounts and overseeing branch operations, including general banking functions and building management. She will soon graduate from Lackawanna College with an associate degree in accounting. Ms. Wilkins graduated with honors from the Pennsylvania Bankers Association School of Banking, and completed its School of Lending course. Additionally, Ms. Wilkins is enrolled in the PA Bankers Advanced School of Banking. She is a licensed mortgage loan originator with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System 1143213.
Lenahan & Dempsey
Five personal injury lawyers have been named Best Lawyers in America for excellence in the practice of law and protecting the injured. Named Best Lawyers for 2016-17 are John R. Lenahan, who has been honored each year by Best Lawyers since 1995; Joseph P. Lenahan, who has been honored each year since 2001, and has been named Best Lawyers Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year; Timothy G. Lenahan, who was the 2015-16 Best Lawyers Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year, and has been listed in the publication each year since 2008; and Brian J. Lenahan and Matthew D. Dempsey, who were both first listed in Best Lawyers in 2015-16.
Marywood
University
James Eckler, M.Arch, associate professor and director of the architecture program, was awarded the Council for Advancement and Support of Education Professor of the Year Award at the university. The award recognizes dedication to undergraduate teaching as demonstrated by the impact on and involvement with undergraduate students, scholarly approach to teaching and learning and contributions to undergraduate education. Mr. Eckler’s teaching and scholarship focuses on introductory design education, its content and structure, as well as the particular educational challenges faced by novice learners in the areas of architectural design. He is also the author of the textbook, “Language of Space and Form,” and co-author of “Introduction to Architecture,” each published by Wiley Publishing. Mr. Eckler earned his bachelor of design, master of architecture and master of science in architectural studies: pedagogy degrees from the University of Florida School of Architecture.
Lindsey Wotanis, Ph.D., associate professor in the communication arts department, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award at the university. Dr. Wotanis serves as the faculty adviser for The Wood Word, the university’s student-run newspaper. She has overseen the growth in The Wood Word staff from 10 students five years ago, to nearly 30 student staff members. Under her guidance, the paper transitioned from a broadsheet to a tabloid with spot color, to print and online, to an online only publication with daily reporting and updates. The paper has won awards, including a first place in colleges/universities with more than 250 enrollment and an “Outstanding Editorial” in 2014 from the American Scholastic Press Association Scholastic Newspaper awards. The paper won multiple Society for Collegiate Journalist awards, placing first, second and third in 2014 and 2015. Dr. Wotanis founded and advises the Marywood Society of College Journalists, established in 2011. Additionally, Dr. Wotanis works on recruitment and publicity efforts with the university. She helped start, and continues to oversee, the department’s student-run recruitment blog, “Frame Your Future,” and has marketed the program through various social media outlets. Dr. Wotanis serves on university and community committees, including the President’s Enrollment Task Force Committee, the Policy Committee, the Technology Committee, the Commencement and Convocation Speakers Committee and Middle States Standards Committee.
Sophie Till, clinical assistant professor of violin/viola and director of the String Project in the university music, theater and dance department, was awarded the university’s Distinction in Discipline award. Ms. Till’s work includes translating the Taubman/Golandsky piano technique to the violin, and she has lectured and held master classes on her findings in England, Scotland, Australia, throughout the U.S. and at the university. Ms. Till was an invited presenter at the Australia National String Teacher’s Conference in Sydney in 2015, and was the keynote speaker at the international conference and presented and conducted workshops as well. This year, Ms. Till will work with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Glasgow, Scotland, and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. As director of the String Project, she works with string players 4 through 18 years old, and she teaches applied lessons to university violin and viola students.
New faculty members for the 2016-17 academic year have been announced.
Amy Wescott is a clinical instructor in the nursing department. Ms. Wescott has been in the field of nursing for nearly 20 years, and is board certified as both a primary-care pediatric nurse practitioner and as an acute-care adult nurse practitioner. She earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from Marywood, her Master of Science in nursing degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and her post-master’s certificate from Drexel University. Her research interests include health care problems affecting the lower socio-economic population. Ms. Wescott will teach medical and surgical nursing along with a pediatrics clinical at the university.
Patricia Falkowski is a clinical instructor of nursing. Ms. Falkowski earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from Wilkes University, and her master’s degree in nursing from Misericordia University. She is a clinical nurse specialist in maternal-child, and is certified in in-patient obstetrics and childbirth education. Her research interest is in maternal-child. Ms. Falkowski will teach various nursing courses, including nursing care of child-bearing as well as clinical pediatrics.
Alan M. Levine, Ph.D., is a professor in the nutrition and dietetics department. Previously, Dr. Levine served as the vice president of Academic Affairs from 2008-2016. He has published more than 20 articles on topics ranging from vitamin deficiency to nutrition and aging. Dr. Levine also has presented at more than 40 conferences and seminars on areas of his expertise. In addition, he received the Vicennial Order Cor Mariae Pro Fide Cultura when he reached 20 years of service at the university. Dr. Levine earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in food, nutrition and dietetics from New York University, and his Bachelor of Science degree from Hofstra University.
Nikki Moser is an assistant professor in the visual arts department. Ms. Moser earned her master of fine arts degree in studio art from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She was the 2016 recipient of the F. Lammont Belin Arts Foundation award for her work with the Keystone Iron Works Program and “Fire at the Furnace.” Ms. Moser is the co-founder of the Keystone Iron Works program for at-risk high school students and has received numerous grants and private donations to support this effort.
Alpha Woodward, Ph.D., is an assistant professor and interim director of the music therapy Program in the music, theater and dance department. Dr. Woodward was the course director and lecturer for the master’s program in Music Therapy in the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at Limerick University, Ireland. She has 20 years of experience as a professor, supervisor, program director and music therapist, and her background includes music therapy work throughout the world. Dr. Woodward earned her master’s degree in music therapy from Open University, Vancouver, and her doctoral degree in leadership and change from Antioch University.
Wen Cheng, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the mathematics and computer science program. Dr. Cheng earned her Bachelor of Science degree in software engineering from Beijing Institute of Technology, China, her Master of Science degree in computer science and engineering from Lehigh University, and her doctoral degree in computer science from North Dakota State University. Her current research interests are in the area of computational biology, bioinformatics specified in developing and applying machine learning, and data mining algorithms to address biological programs.
Emily Pellicano is an assistant professor in the school of architecture. She earned her bachelor of fine arts degree in interior design and earned her master of architecture degree from Syracuse University. Ms. Pellicano will teach graduate coursework along with interior architecture courses at the University.
Misericordia
University
Leamor Kahanov, Ed.D., dean of the College of Health Sciences and Education, will make two scholarly presentations at the All Together Better Health VIII: The Global Interprofessional Practice and Education Conference in Oxford, England. Dr. Kahanov is making the presentations entitled, “Leveraging a Campus Clinic to Expand Interprofessional Education and Research,’’ and “Interprofessional Education through Mobile Outreach Clinics.’’ Dr. Kahanov is a certified athletic trainer with a doctorate in education from the University of San Francisco. She earned a master’s degree in exercise and sports sciences from the University of Arizona, and a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science and athletic training from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Mohegan Sun Pocono
Tony Carlucci has been named president and general manager, replacing Mike Bean. In this role, he will be responsible for the overall leadership and direction of the property. Mr. Carlucci has more than 30 years of experience in the casino and hospitality business.
Penn State
Wilkes-Barre
Rick Dierenfeldt has joined the Administration of Justice program as an assistant professor. He earned his Ph.D. in criminal justice from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in May 2016. A police officer for 10 years in the state of Missouri, his research interests include the relationships between community characteristics, race and crime, as well as policy evaluation in the fields of corrections and policing. His works have been published in “Deviant Behavior,” “American Journal of Criminal Justice,” “Criminal Justice Policy Review,” “International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology” and “Security Journal.”
Jonathan Pineno has joined the college as an instructor of arts and music, and will also manage the on campus Friedman Art Gallery. Mr. Pineno earned his Bachelor of Science degree in music education from Mansfield University, and earned a master’s degree in clarinet performance from Temple University.
Getinet Gawo has joined as an instructor of mathematics, and will also be a tutor for the Learning Center and Student Support Services. Mr. Gawo earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Mekelle University and his Master of Science in mathematics from Addis Adaba University, both in Ethiopia, his native country.
Joseph Boylan, vice president of economic development for the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, has joined the Campus Advisory Board. Mr. Boylan is a graduate of Penn State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in business with a concentration in marketing and management. Mr. Boylan also serves on the boards for the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce, PEDA Advocacy Committee, MetroAction Inc. and the Wyoming Valley Challenger League. He was named “Top 20 Under 40” by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Business Journal in 2015.
Robert Katulka begins his term on the Campus Advisory Board this fall. Mr. Katulka is a Penn State University graduate, earning his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, and his Master of Science in business administration from Wilkes University. Mr. Katulka is the director of production engineering for Tobyhanna Army Depot.
Megan Millo, business development manager at Ken Pollock Auto Group, has joined the Campus Advisory Board. A graduate of Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Ms. Millo earned her Bachelor of Science in business administration with a focus in marketing and management.
Amanda Yakus will begin her term on the Campus Advisory Board this fall. Ms. Yakus serves as the director of sales for the Fairfield Inn & Suites. She is a Penn State graduate with a Bachelor of Science in hotel, restaurant and institutional management, and is a member of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network Council.
Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald LLP
Richard A. Russo, a partner in the firm, has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2017. Mr. Russo was selected in the area of personal injury litigation-plaintiffs. He is the chairman of the firm’s personal injury practice. Mr. Russo also handles claims against insurance companies for acting in bad faith toward their insured. He is a member of the American and Pennsylvania Bar Associations, the American and Pennsylvania Associations for Justice and the Wilkes-Barre Law & Library Association. Mr. Russo is a magna cum laude graduate of Wilkes University and a cum laude graduate of Temple University Law School.
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