With temperatures in the 50s, fabulous floats and the love of everything Irish, those attending Saturday's 52nd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade wondered how the day could be any better.

"It's a perfect day," Patti Stiner said as she watched the parade with her 6-year-old daughter, Leah. "Everyone is in great moods. There is just a great vibe."

Saturday's parade included more than 12,000 participants. Organizers expected more than 100,000 people to attend the more than three hour parade. With the sunny skies, paradegoers said they had never seen so many people crowded onto Scranton sidewalks. Just the day before, it had snowed.

At the start of the parade at 11:45 a.m., crowds eight people deep stood in front of St. Peter's Cathedral, which had hosted a pre-parade Mass. At the rectory next door, Diocese of Scranton Bishop Joseph C. Bambera waved to marchers from the steps.

Medieval reenactors fought with swords in the street. The Victorian Highwheelers maneuvered around potholes. Irish stepdancers wore curly wigs and toddlers wore tutus. People lined the parking garage at the Mall at Steamtown, hoping to get a better look.

The St. Patrick's Parade Association of Lackawanna County claims the parade is the second largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the country, when measured by participants per population of the city in which it is held. Savannah, Ga., is first, and New York City third, for cities with a population of more than 50,000, according to the parade committee. Saturday's parade grand marshal was Andy Gavin.

Vendors lined Linden Street and Adams Avenue, selling bacon-wrapped hot dogs, green cotton candy and fried food. Face painters set up tables on sidewalks and adorned children's cheeks with shamrocks. People wore feather boas, shamrock headbands and stick-on green mustaches and cheered for the bagpipe bands.

While crowds filled city sidewalks, even more people attended a Parade Day party at the Scranton Cultural Center that featured parade performers. More people filled the area's bars, some arriving as early as 9 a.m.

Molly Romeo, 11, an Irish girl with red hair and freckles, wore a sweatshirt with the saying "A face without freckles is like a night without stars."

She sat with her 5-year-old sister, Lily, watching the parade along Spruce Street.

"I love it," Molly said. "I love all of it."

While many attendees make the parade an annual event, it was the first time cousins Kaitlin Rickert and Victoria Pellew saw the parade.

"I like the bands. And the candy." 8-year-old Kaitlin said.

For many children at the parade, the giveaways, from candy and pencils to T-shirts and can koozies, were a highlight.

Two blocks away, Lissy Taynton, 9, watched the parade with her friend Madison Carney, 8. They each had bags of trinkets to take home.

Teri Taynton of Roaring Brook Twp. said she brings her daughter every year and before the parade, they make sure they are wearing enough green - from the color of their shirts to their shade of nail polish.

And just down the street, Ed Gerrity had the same thought as he waved an Irish flag and held his 5-year-old daughter, Olivia, on his shoulders.

"You can't ask for a better day," he said.

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

Two men charged with burglary

DURYEA - Police charged two men with burglary Saturday, saying they were taking metal from a home at 112 Main St. that was abandoned because of flooding.

Authorities charged David Callahan, 34, of Pittston, with burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, criminal trespass and theft by unlawful taking. He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Joseph Carmody and released on $10,000 unsecured bail.

Eric Burgerhoff, 23, of Pittston, was charged with the same crimes. He also had a detainer from a probation violation, for which police sent him to Luzerne County Correctional Facility.

Monday: Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association Environmental Regulatory Seminar from 9 a.m. to noon at the Top of the 80s, Hazleton. Cost to register is $100 for members and $200 for non-members. For details, call the office at 622-0992 or email Chris Robbins at crobbins@maea.biz.

Tuesday: Cooking for Crowds workshop, 6 to 9 p.m., Penn State Extension office in Monroe County, 724 Phillips St., Suite 201, Stroudsburg. Cost is $35, which includes a manual and thermometer; or $10 each without the manual and thermometer. Details, 421-6430 or extension.psu.edu/pike/events/cooking-for-crowds-workshop

n Northeast PA Manufacturers and Employers Association annual installation of officers luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Pottsville Club. Cost is $37 for members and $74 for nonmembers. For details or to register, contact the MAEA office at 622-0992.

Thursday: Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce Networking Mixer from 5 to 7 p.m. at Sam's Club, Wilkes-Barre Twp. Registration is free for Chamber members and guests and can be made with Angi Coscia at 823-2101 ext. 149 or angi@wilkes-barre.org.

Friday: The Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association Supervisory Development Training Series at the Top of the 80s, Hazleton. The training will be broken into four classes. Cost is $300/member and $600/nonmembers per class. Register for all four classes and receive a reduced price of $275/member per class. Call the office at 622-0992 or email Chris Robbins at crobbins@maea.biz.

Saturday: Northeast Pennsylvania Forest Landowners Conference from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Keystone College, Hibbard Campus Center, Evans Hall, La Plume. Cost is $25. For details, contact Vincent Cotrone at vjc1@psu.edu or call the Luzerne County extension office at 825-1701.

March 18: Marywood University 11th annual Forum and Conference on Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, "Outbehaving Your Competition", doors open at 9:30 a.m. for registration, coffee and muffins. First session begins at 10 a.m. and continue throughout the day. Key address by attorney Jane Carlonas of Oliver Price & Rhodes, 7 p.m., Latour Room, Student Center. Open to the public. For details, Dr. Gale Jaeger, program coordinator, at galejaeger@gmail.com or at 348 6274.

March 21: Greater Hazleton Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Best Western Genetti Inn & Suites, Route 309, Hazleton. No charge for admission. For details, contact the chamber at 455-1509 or hazletonchamber.org.

March 25: Northeast Broadcasting Employment Fair, 4 to 6 p.m., WVIA Public Media Studios, 100 WVIA Way, Pittston. Fair is free and open to public.

SUBMIT BUSINESS BRIEFCASE items to business@times shamrock.com; Business Editor, The Times-Tribune, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503; or via fax to 348-9135.

Saturday's St. Patrick's Day Parade went smoothly, a police official said, with less of what the Irish would call "shenanigans" than in past years.

Acting Police Chief Carl Graziano said the department had fewer arrests than normal during the parade and into the afternoon.

"People seemed better behaved," he said. "It could be because of the high number of families that came out."

Most Parade Day arrests are minor alcohol offenses or summary violations with an occasional fight, Chief Graziano said.

Jack Gaffney, a member of the St. Patrick's Parade Association committee, said the parade itself went off without any injuries or problems among marchers or spectators.

"Not only was it a tremendous day because of the perfect weather, but the police did a great job making sure everyone enjoyed themselves," Mr. Gaffney said.

After the parade ended, however, things changed. Chief Graziano said police were busy in the Hill Section, where large groups of people, generally college students in off-campus housing, generated a variety of police calls from fighting to a minor garbage fire.

State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement working with city police officers cited 49 people for underage drinking on Saturday.

While police responded to several reports of pedestrians being struck by cars, Chief Graziano said it was not an unusually high number given the number of people downtown and the vehicles going through town or trying to get out. None of those calls was very serious, he said.

Chief Graziano said parade attendance was higher than usual, but typical for a Parade Day with such nice weather.

Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

Dog wardens set to canvass area

SCRANTON - Dog wardens will canvass homes in the Clarks Green and Clarks Summit areas the week of March 18 to check for dog licenses, the state Department of Agriculture announced.

All dogs 3 months or older must be licensed by Jan. 1 each year and vaccinated against rabies. The fee for a license is $6.45 for each spayed or neutered dog and $8.45 for nonspayed and non-neutered dogs.

Violators can face a maximum of $300 in fines plus court costs.

To purchase a license, visit www.padoglicense.com.

Clarks Summit

For the second time since August, borough council has named the National Running Center as the "Best Commercial Recycler."

At the borough council meeting Wednesday, council members presented representatives from the shoe and clothing apparel store at 318 Davis St. with a certificate, honoring the shop for its success.

The winner of the monthly award, which is handed to the business that recycles the most days of the month, gets free parking at two meters for the rest of the month.

"They are doing a tremendous job and are taking advantage of a great opportunity," Councilwoman Patty Lawler said.

miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter

Old Forge

Originally called Mommy and Me, an exercise program at Romar Dance Studio, 201 Sussex St., now includes Dad, too.

"It's called Mommy and Me, but we encourage fathers to come," said studio co-owner Rose Graham. "We have a fair amount of that."

Now in its eighth year, the fitness program continues to draw families that exercise with their children age 18 months to 3 years.

Activities include songs and dances to improve a child's coordination, flexibility and listening skills.

The six-week spring session will begin Saturday. Classes will be held on Saturdays from 9:30 to 10 a.m.

For more information, call the studio at 457-6576.

jkohut@timesshamrock.com, @jkohutTT on Twitter

South Abington Twp.

In just a couple of weeks, residents will be able to get a small taste of Italy.

On Saturday, March 23, the Abington Community Library will host La Dolce Vita: Celebrating the Sweetness of Life, a 2½-hour celebration of Italian treats.

Starting at 6:30 p.m., residents will be able to sample cookies, cordials, cappuccino, pizza and other finger foods and enjoy artwork and photography.

Also, the former Italian consul general to Philadelphia, Renzo Oliva, and his wife, Juri Kim, will be in attendance. Tickets to the event are $15.

miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter

Throop

An updated firetruck is back on duty in the borough.

A Throop Hose Company 2 pumper recently returned from being refurbished, Vice President Eric Hartshorn said.

Mr. Hartshorn, who is also the borough fire chief, said getting the truck refurbished instead of ordering a new truck yielded a savings of more than $350,000.

It also returns a potentially life-saving truck to the service of the borough.

"We know the people of Throop are getting a good piece of apparatus sent to their house," he said.

The company had been using a truck on loan from the Scranton Fire Department. That truck was returned earlier this month.

rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

Waverly Twp.

As part of National Women's History Month, the Waverly Community House has organized a luncheon meant to celebrate women's achievements.

Slated for Friday at the Glen Oak Country Club, the event will include a speech by Waverly resident Susan Belin, president of the Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania.

The luncheon, which costs $25 to attend, will begin at noon.

All proceeds from the event will benefit outdoor recreational facilities.

miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter

BOSTON - The stock market keeps pushing higher. The Dow Jones industrial average climbed to a record on Tuesday, finally recovering to surpass its October 2007 high. The momentum continued as stocks piled on more gains the next two days.

To the managers of a select group of mutual funds, that's not a big deal. They crossed the recovery milestone some time ago.

They needed just two or three years to make up for the losses they incurred after the market peaked in October 2007. That's quick work, compared with the nearly 5½ years it took the Dow to return to its pre-crisis level of 14,164 points. The Standard & Poor's 500, a broader index that's a benchmark for many stock funds, remains about 1 percent below its level of Oct. 9, 2007.

Examine the records of the top-performing stock funds since that date, and one thing stands out: Nearly all were unusually successful at limiting their losses in 2008, when stocks plunged 38 percent.

Amid a crisis, losing 30 percent was an acceptable result. It's an accomplishment achieved by the vast majority of the large-cap stock funds with the strongest overall results since October 2007, according to Morningstar. Twenty of the 30 top-performers posted 2008 losses of less than 30 percent.

The best in the bunch since October 2007 lost just 5.1 percent the following year. Manager Frederick "Fritz" Reynolds of the Reynolds Blue Chip Growth fund (RBCGX) sensed trouble in the housing market and began selling stocks and holding onto cash as subprime mortgage troubles rippled into the stock market. When the recovery rally began in March 2009, Reynolds shifted back into stocks.

Such good timing is often a matter of luck as much as skill, and Reynolds posted mixed results in 2009 through 2012.

But the fund's 2008 result was so strong that Reynolds Blue Chip Growth possesses the top record among all large-cap stock funds since Oct. 9, 2007, according to Morningstar. The growth stock fund posted a total return of nearly 88 percent through March 4. That's a huge margin over the broader stock market.

If it seems odd that a single year can have such a big impact over a five-year period, consider the realities of recovery math. If stocks lose 50 percent of their value, you'll need a 100 percent gain - not 50 percent - to get back to where you started. That's comparable to recent experience, as the Dow tumbled 54 percent from October 2007 to March 2009. It has since gained 119 percent.

The takeaway for investors is that limiting losses during market declines can be crucial, because losses have a bigger impact on long-term results than comparable gains.

Here's a look at other top-performing funds since October 2007 in their respective large-cap categories. These funds invest primarily in large U.S. companies, the types of stocks that typically anchor a well-diversified portfolio:

YACKTMAN FOCUSED (YAFFX) and YACKTMAN (YACKX)

These two funds earned the top results in the large-cap blend category, posting returns of 75 percent and 68 percent, respectively. Yacktman Focused is a leaner version of its sibling, with a slightly smaller number of stocks in its portfolio. There's plenty of overlap among the funds' top holdings. They're also managed by the same teams: Donald Yacktman, his son Stephen, and Jason Subotky. They tend to stick with their favorite stocks for years rather than make frequent trades. For example, both funds have owned shares of Coca-Cola and Pfizer for about a decade. Both possess top-rung 5-star ratings from Morningstar based on past performance.

SUNAMERICA FOCUSED DIVIDEND STRATEGY (FDSAX)

This was the top performer among large-cap value funds, which primarily invest in stocks considered inexpensive relative to the earnings they generate. SunAmerica Focused Dividend Strategy posted a total return of nearly 37 percent. Although the fund narrowly edged out its peers in 2008, it beat 98 percent in 2009 and 99 percent in 2011. Brendan Voege has managed the fund since 2006, often holding onto his favorite dividend-paying stocks for several years. Pfizer, DuPont, Verizon and AT&T have been in the portfolio since 2006, for example.

With such strong results since the financial crisis, these funds have helped investors repair their portfolios much faster than most. Yet caution is advisable for anyone who might think it's a terrific time to invest in these funds simply because they led their peers throughout the financial crisis and its aftermath.

Contact the writer: investorinsight@ap.org

THROOP - Dom Rinaldi has seen the devastation of a house fire as a firefighter and a fire victim, forced from his home by a Feb. 11 fire.

Saturday, he found himself in another role he never imagined he'd be in: a beneficiary of a fundraiser.

More than 100 friends, family, fellow firefighters and strangers paid $10 each for entertainment, food and drink at the Throop Fire Company 2 with proceeds going to help Mr. Rinaldi and his family with expenses not covered by insurance.

"This is amazing," Mr. Rinaldi said as he looked over the turnout. "My friends take good care of me."

The fundraiser was hosted by two fire departments Mr. Rinaldi works for: Dunmore and Throop, whose members began planning an event the day after the fire forced the Rinaldi family from its Dunmore Street home.

"We want to help him get some normalcy back in life," said Throop Fire Chief Eric Hartshorn.

The aftermath of a fire, even one in which no one was injured, Mr. Rinaldi learned, is more stressful than the fire itself. For a time, he struggled with basics of where his family would live or where they would eat. The insurance included a hotel room, but that would not have been sufficient for him, his wife, two daughters and several pets.

Fortunately, a friend had an apartment available, but it is still small and unfamiliar. Much of the work in the family's home, a bakery he converted to a residence right down to making the cabinets, is destroyed. He hopes the home will be restored by summer.

"This is the worst experience I had to deal with in my life," he said. "I've never seen this side of it."

The fire changed the way he looks at his job. It added new sincerity to the obligatory comment to fire victims that he is sorry for their loss. When people whose homes are smoldering return a blank stare, he knows the sense of helplessness behind it.

He also got insight into the work of charitable groups to which he has donated and for which he helped raise money.

"We help the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, and here they were helping us," he said. "I never imagined I'd be using those services."

At first, Renee Pasko, Mr. Rinaldi's sister, wondered about the wisdom of having the fundraiser compete with Scranton's St. Patrick's Day Parade. But people seemed to have done what she did, come to the fundraiser after the parade.

"It's an amazing turnout," she said.

Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

Deep cuts at Tobyhanna depot

In its first public announcement since the federal budget sequestration, Tobyhanna Army Depot unveiled $309 million of budget cuts that will result in furloughs of 5,136 civilian employees. The employees will be required to take 22 non-consecutive furlough days between late April and Sept. 30 unless the federal budget impasse in Washington, D.C., is solved.

Snö Mountain sale OK'd

A bankruptcy judge on Wednesday approved DFM Realty Inc.'s $4.6 million bid to take over Snö Mountain. DFM's parent, National Penn Bank of Boyertown, extended two mortgages to Snö Mountain's owners totaling more than $8.9 million and is the facility's largest secured creditor.

Jobless rate drops

The national unemployment rate dropped 0.2 percent to 7.7 percent, its lowest level in more than four years, The Associated Press reported. The jobless rate is now at its lowest since President Barack Obama entered office. The upbeat report fits with other big economic news of recent days, including surging stock prices and steady home price increases that have finally allowed Americans to regain the $16 trillion in wealth they lost to the Great Recession. Job growth has averaged more than 200,000 a month since November.

Boscov lauded

Department store owner Al Boscov became the first inductee into the Pennsylvania Retailers' Hall of Fame this week. Gov. Tom Corbett and former Govs. Ed Rendell and Tom Ridge were honorary co-chairmen of the event. It was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Retailers' Association, a Harrisburg-based trade association. The celebration was appropriate, considering his efforts to preserve downtown commerce in many Pennsylvania municipalities, said Austin Burke, president of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

Private liquor sales touted

During a tour of the café in Weis Markets in South Abington Twp., Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley promoted the plan to privatize Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board "state stores" and make alcoholic beverages more available for Pennsylvania citizens.

Casey: Program neglected

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey is launching an inquiry into a financial shortfall at the federal Department of Labor Job Corps, outraged that the valuable job-training program appears to be neglected by the agency and is under an enrollment freeze.

Geisinger plans new facility

Geisinger Health System plans to construct a new clinic on South Mountain Boulevard in Fairview Twp. to consolidate three current Geisinger locations in the Mountaintop area.

Kids solve problems

POCONO SUMMIT - Abington Heights, Delaware Valley and other school districts from around the region took some top spots in the Northeast Regional Odyssey of Mind Tournament held in Pocono Summit on Saturday.

The competition that tests students' problem-solving skills was hosted by Pocono Mountain West High School. About 700 students from 40 area schools through the Northeast Pennsylvania region, including Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties, participated in the competition that involves students from kindergarten to 12th grade. The competition features several different categories, and students work all year to develop an eight-minute skit - including original costumes, scenery and technical elements - that solves a problem. NEPA Odyssey of the Mind Results

Pet Project

Division one

First St. Clare-St. Paul/Dingman-Delaware Elementary (tie)

Second Shohola Elementary

Third Rice Elementary

Fourth J.M. Hill Elementary

Fifth Palmer Elementary

Division two

First Delaware Valley Middle

Second Pocono Mountain West Junior High

Division Three

First Pocono Mountain East High S

Second Delaware Valley High

The Email Must Go Through

Division one

First Dingman-Delaware Elementary

Second Palmer Elementary, Abington Heights (tie)

Third Northampton Borough Elementary

Fourth Cheston

Divison two

First Delaware Valley Middle

Second Dingman-Delaware Middle

Third Rice Elementary

Fourth Pocono Elementary

Fifth Abington Heights Middle

Sixth Clear Run Intermediate

Division Three

First Abington Heights High Team A

Second Notre Dame High

Third Pocono Mountain West High

Fourth Delaware Valley High

Fifth Abington Heights High Team B

ARTchitecture: The Musical

Division one

First Abington Heights Elementary

Second Pocono Elementary Center'

Third Northampton Borough Elementary

Fourth Easton Area Middle School

Fifth Palmer Elementary

Sixth March Elementary

Seventh Cheston Elementary

Eighth Tobyhanna Elementary Center

Ninth Shawnee Elementary

Divison two

First Crestwood Middle

Second Abington Heights Middle Team A

Third Delaware Valley Elementary

Fourth Abington Heights Middle Team B

Fifth Northampton Middle

Sixth Pocono Mountain East Junior High

Seventh Lehighton Area Middle

Eigthth Easton Area Middle

Division Three

First Abington Heights High Team A

Second Pocono Mountain East High

Third Notre Dame High

Fourth Pine Grove Area High

Tumble-wood

Division one

First Wallenpaupack

Second Abington Heights Middle Team A

Third Rice Elementary

Fourth Tobyhanna Elementary

Fifth J.M. Hill Elementary

Sixth Cheston Elementary

Divison two

First Delaware Valley Middle

Second Abington Heights Middle Team A

Third Pocono Mountain East Junior High

Fourth Lehighton Area Middle

Fifth Pocono Mountain West Junior High

Sixth Dingman-Delaware Middle

Division Three

First Northampton Area Senior High

Second Pocono Mountain West High

Third Delaware Valley High

Fourth Notre Dame High

It's How You Look At It

Division one

First Delaware Valley Elementary

Second Clarks Summit Elementary

Third Dingman-Delaware Elementary

Fourth Rice Elementary

Fifth Barrett Elementary Center

Sixth Forks Elementary

Seventh Abington Heights Elementary

Eigthth Tracy Elementary

Ninth Shohola Elementary

10th Cheston Elementary

11th Palmer Elementary

12th Northampton Borough Elementary

13th J.M. Hill Elementary/Shawnee Elementary (tie)

Divison two

First Crestwood Middle

Second Pocono Mountain East Junior High

Third Dingman-Delaware Middle

Fourth Pocono Elementary Center

Fifth Pine Grove Area Middle

Sixth Abington Heights Middle

Seventh Shohola Elementary

Eigthth Northampton Middle

Ninth Swiftwater Elementary Center

10th Easton Area Middle - Upper

Division Three

First Delaware Valley High

Second Pocono Mountain West High

Third Lehighton Area Senior High

Fourth Notre Dame High

Runners step out ahead of marchers

Before crowds started cheering for the Irish stepdancers and bagpipe bands, they cheered for runners.

This year's Brian P. Kelly Memorial St. Patrick's Day Parade 2-Mile Footrace included 315 people who ran the parade route. They started at Lackawanna College and turned around once they reached St. Peter's Cathedral.

The number of runners increases each year, and the weather definitely helped on Saturday, race director Mike O'Malley said.

"It feels like it's 80 degrees out after the winter we had," he said.

This was the 31st anniversary of a pre-parade race, and the eighth year it has been run in honor of Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kelly, who had been president and treasurer of the St. Patrick's Parade Association of Lackawanna County, died in 2004 at the age of 35. Proceeds from the race go to a scholarship fund set up for Norah Kelly, Mr. Kelly's daughter.

Bill Lawrence of Scranton ran the race dressed like a leprechaun, with green pants, suspenders and hat.

"The pantyhose fit perfectly," he said, laughing. "It's a lot of fun."

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

There is good reason for America's love-hate relationship with the liberal arts in college. For many years, the intellectual elite and the pragmatists have squared off against one another - inside and outside of academe - about the value of the liberal arts. It now appears that those who believe a college education should provide practical and employable skills have popular opinion with them.

The current employment rate and rising college debt are enhancing the argument for a practical college education. Finding a good first job is of great concern to those graduating from college. The thought of doing so without requisite employable skills is freighting for many.

For students who choose to major in one of the liberal arts, the career rewards are usually not allocated based on the major itself, but rather the intellectual rigor in applying the analytical framework of the discipline in practical areas such as business. These undergraduate degrees also provide an outstanding platform for critical thinking and the foundation for graduate work in a specific discipline or in a professional field, such as medicine or law.

Perhaps there is still too much being made of the trade-offs between a four-year liberal arts degree and a career-focused one. The benefits of a good liberal arts education can be effectively combined with practical career orientation and a well-designed curriculum. That is the case at Misericordia University.

Based on the tradition of graduating students who serve humankind, the university has educated high-skilled nurses since l944. Misericordia's tradition in the health sciences was expanded in 1973 with the introduction of one of the country's only medical imaging programs at a four-year college. Our commitment to the health sciences increased with the introduction of undergraduate-plus-masters (five-year) programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and physician assistant. All of these fields require a master's degree before a graduate can practice, and now a 6½-year clinical doctorate in physical therapy.

Driven significantly by an outstanding reputation of high board pass rates and graduate success in the health and medical sciences fields, Misericordia's enrollment has grown in the last 14 years from a little more than 1,000 students to more than 1,900 full-time students and 1,200 part-time students. This growth occurred despite wavering and declining enrollment trends at similar institutions. Last year, when many institutions experienced decreased enrollment, Misericordia's freshman class increased from 370 students to 510. Entering SAT and ACT scores also continue to increase, while the institution's discount rate has remained moderate relative to that of competing institutions. Retention rates have been among the best of any similarly sized institution. The result has been a significant increase in reserves, resulting in fiscal stability not shared by many others.

Does rapid growth in the health sciences mean that the liberal arts have been abandoned? No. All Misericordia students are required to complete a core curriculum which includes courses in philosophy, history, religion, science, mathematics, English and other traditional subjects. The result is a well-rounded undergraduate experience.

The result of this mixture of liberal arts and professionally focused curriculum is a graduate who is not only employable, but flexible. Misericordia graduates often assume well-paying jobs as practitioners in the health sciences and many other fields. Because of their strong liberal arts background, they are rapidly elevated to management positions in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and related for-profit and nonprofit businesses.

Of course, maintaining viable liberal arts departments for the health science majors and the 55 percent of Misericordia students enrolled in other majors is not an easy task. Good faculty in the liberal arts and sciences need to maintain and grow the number of students in their own departments as well.

One way Misericordia has accomplished this goal is to continue to expand its Division III and intercollegiate sports programs. The university made the strategic decision to bring football to campus in 2010 because, as NCAA data showed, many Division III football players choose to study subjects other than the health and medical sciences. The result has been an increase in majors such as English, history, communications, biology and other liberal arts and sciences at Misericordia.

The decision to emphasize the health sciences at Misericordia was made 12 years ago. We believed it made good strategic sense to make a well-focused effort in the rapidly growing health and medical sciences fields. American demographics were on our side. Baby Boomers provide a plethora of patients for health and medical science professionals. The rapidly growing cost of medical care, along with the shortage of MDs and DOs, and the hesitancy of private insurance and Medicare to continue to fund physician services for routine procedures, created a growing niche for a small university to produce quality health care professionals.

The downside of the health and medical science focus is the expense of these programs. These nationally accredited programs are limited in enrollment by their accrediting associations. Salaries for faculty and other professionals are high. However, the programs attract excellent students who are willing to stay at Misericordia for an undergraduate and graduate degree, creating the enviable enrollment patterns.

Perhaps most satisfying is that health science and liberal arts faculty have worked cooperatively to create a solid liberal arts core as the foundation for all Misericordia students, including - of course - the health and medical science majors.

Can a good core curriculum of 50-plus hours provide all that is necessary to be considered liberally educated? The answer is probably no. If, on the other hand, the purpose of a liberal arts education is to provide students with a solid structure for what a well-educated person should know, and instill in them a spirit of inquiry and the willingness to be a lifelong learner, then the basic liberal arts education has been achieved. The result is graduates who are able to reflect, reason well and critically, and have the passion to continue to learn. After all, isn't that what a good college education should be about?

MICHAEL A. MacDOWELL is president of Misericordia University in Dallas.