Professor honored
Duane Armitage, Ph.D., a 2005 University of Scranton graduate and assistant professor of philosophy, was named Teacher of the Year by the university’s class of 2019.
Armitage, who lives in Old Forge, joined the university’s faculty in 2015. Armitage served as a lecturer in philosophy at Gonzaga University and had been a lecturer in philosophy at the University of Scranton from 2011 until 2013. Along with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the university, he earned a master’s degree in philosophy at Boston College and a Ph.D. in philosophy at the New School for Social Research.
His research interests include continental philosophy, existentialism and philosophy of religion. He has published two books: “Heidegger and the Death of God: Between Plato and Nietzsche” and “Heidegger’s
Pauline and Lutheran Roots” in 2016. His research, focusing on Martin Heidegger and Soren Kierkegaard has also been published in multiple professional journals.
The award recognizes a faculty member who maintains high standards of academic excellence and fairness and, through enthusiasm and dedication, inspires the interest of students in a field of education, according to the university.
Rivals come together
Mid Valley’s Miss Spartan, Natalie Buchinski; Abington Heights’ Miss Comet, Nina Sampogne; Dunmore’s Miss Buck, Mariana Leo; and Riverside’s Miss Viking, Amanda Merrick-Tompkins, recently came together for the first “Features Forward March” at the NEPA Youth Shelter in Scranton.
The students brought donations from the shelter’s wish list and spent the afternoon cleaning and organizing the facility.
Nina organized the joint community service project to bring the on-field rivals together to support their community.
High notes
Charles P. Kumpas was honored with the Rotary Club of the Abingtons 4 Way Test award
during the club’s installation dinner.
Kumpas exemplifies the Rotary 4 Way Test, which is “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”
A retired systems analyst from MetLife, Kumpas has spent countless hours volunteering for youth groups, including Abington Youth Soccer, Scout Thoop 201, the Anthracite Heritage Museum, along with other organizations.
He’s an expert on Clarks Summit history and has contributed to several books and the WVIA presentation, “Our Town, Clarks Summit.”
Also at the dinner, Rotarian Eileen Christian was presented the highest honor in rotary, the Paul Harris medal.
Christian was given the award for contributing — either on her own or in her name — $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation. While she was awarded, her granddaughter in South Carolina was also joining rotary.
Rotary President Ryan Campbell also honored Roger Mattes and John Petry for their significant contributions to the foundation.