On Nov. 9, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce chose the Learning Commons as the recipient of the 2016 Pride and Progress: New Construction Award, according to Marywood’s website.

The ceremony took place at the Theater at North in Scranton and the award was presented at the Chamber Gala to Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D, president of Marywood.

The Scranton Awards for Growth and Excellence (SAGE) honor outstanding local businesses for their talent, creativity, and innovation, according to the Chamber’s website.

According to the Chamber’s website, more than 100 applications were submitted this year and a committee of 40 community leaders teamed up to select the finalists.

The Learning Commons won this award because it works harmoniously with the area that surrounds it and, according to Marywood’s website, “the Pride and Progress award recognizes public/private sector operations for upgrading their establishments and improving the region.”

Renee Zehel, director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, said this award is special to the whole Marywood community.

“We are very grateful for the recognition and we look forward to the community using and seeing the facility,” Zehel said. “It was intended to be a facility where knowledge was created and shared…the open spaces were designed for people to relate to one another.”

Zehel went on to say that there were other awards that included different Marywood alumni.
“Three of the finalists of the Woman of Excellence were alumni of Marywood: Mandy Pennington, Marianne Gilmartin and Mary Ann LaPorta,” she said.

In 2011, Sr. Anne Munley, IHM, Ed.D, previous president of Marywood, was presented the Woman of Excellence award. 

Sr. Mary accepted this Pride and Progress award only a few weeks after her inauguration, which took place on Oct. 28.

“We want to bring the university to the community and the community to the university…that’s Sr. Mary’s vision,” said Zehel.

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