FALL 2011 - The University of Scranton

Expanded Services to
Community, Parents
In an attempt to better integrate the
University into the community, as well
as make Scranton more accessible to the
families of current students, two new
offices opened this spring.
Local residents, nonprofits and
businesses have a new resource for
information with the arrival of the
Office of Community Relations.
Through a comprehensive website,
and monthly e-newsletter, the office
highlights the many events and
programs the University has to offer. For
more information, visit www.scranton.
edu/community.
The Parent Relations Office offers
parents a one-stop source for information
about their student’s college experience.
The office focuses on providing in-depth
information of campus life, including
features on student organizations and
other events. For more information, visit
www.scranton.edu/parents.
A Tour of Asia
Students, faculty and staff, as well
as the local community, embarked
on a tour of Asia during the 2010-11
academic year. Marketing its Asian
Studies Concentration, the University’s
faculty organized a yearlong “Tour of
Asia” – a series of activities focusing
on the political, economic, historical and
cultural issues of Asian nations, including
Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Thailand, China,
India, Nepal, Bhutan and the Philippines.
In culmination of the tour, the University
hosted a performance in April of “Bond,”
(pictured below) an adaptation of William
Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice,”
by the Taiwan BangZi Opera Company.
More than 1,800 people attended the
opera held at the Scranton Cultural Center.
Remembering
Our Royals
The 10th Anniversary of 9/11
A decade ago, the world was shaken by the
tragic events of Sept. 11, and a surge of shock
and sadness flooded the hearts of those near
and far, including our University community.
Michael Costello ’96, Timothy Finnerty
’90, Charles Heeran ’00, Timothy Hughes ’80
and William Kelly ’93, as well as 32 others
who were related to students and graduates,
were taken from us that day. Their names are
forever enshrined on a plaque in the Madonna
della Strada Chapel.
While we still mourn their deaths, we
pause now – 10 years later – in remembrance,
celebrating their lives.
Michael Costello
For Nancy Costello, Michael’s mother, Sept.
11 is a day for both mourning and joy. In a
strange twist of fate, Dan Keenan ’95 –
Michael’s good friend and roommate for seven
years after college – and his wife, Jessica, gave
birth to twin boys on Sept. 11, 2008. The boys
were named Daniel, after Dan’s father, and
Michael, after Nancy’s son. “This has truly
been a blessing for our families, as has been the
love and support given to us by all of Mike’s
friends that he made while at the University,”
says Nancy. The Michael S. Costello ’96
Memorial Scholarship, dedicated in his
memory, continues his legacy at Scranton.
Timothy Finnerty
In the fall/winter 2001 issue of The
Scranton Journal, Timothy’s father, Peter,
remembered his son as an “extraordinary
child,” who left a lasting impression on all
those who knew him. The former Scranton
basketball player, who helped the Royals
advance to the Division III Championship in
1988, always had a passion for the hardwood,
coaching at all levels, from youth church
teams to the college ranks. The Timothy J.
Finnerty ’90 Memorial Scholarship at the
University was created in his memory.
MICHAEL COSTELLO ’96 TIMOTHY FINNERTY ’90
CHARLES HEERAN ’00 TIMOTHY HUGHES ’80
Charles Heeran
Ten years after his brother’s passing, Sean
Heeran remembers how determined, hardworking
and outgoing
his sibling was. A
natural extrovert,
Charles loved to get
together with friends
and family. Always a
gentle, happy, funloving
guy, Charles’
persistence and tenacity
made him a success at
everything he put his
heart into, whether it was the University’s
rugby club or trading on Wall Street.
WILLIAM KELLY ’93
Timothy Hughes
James Hughes ’79, Timothy’s brother, can
hardly believe that 10 years have passed since
Sept. 11, 2001. “I still miss him a great deal,”
he says. “It was a tragic end for a wonderful
guy with a beautiful spirit.” James’ daughter,
Alexandra Hughes, carried on the Hughes’
family tradition, graduating from Scranton
in 2010.
William Kelly
Bill’s family and friends continue to celebrate
his life through the Bill Kelly Jr. Memorial
Tournament, an annual golf event benefiting
the William Hill Kelly, Jr. Endowed
Scholarship at the University. “He was just
such a kind and generous soul,” recalls Mimi
Donegan, Bill’s sister. “This tournament really
helps us all heal in a lot of ways. It has turned
into a celebration of Bill’s life, and there are so
many incredible people who come back year
after year to help us celebrate.”
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