Passionist “Lift High the Cross” Exhibit Now Open!

Aware that so many of us carry everyday crosses in life, Italian St. Paul of Cross (1694-1775) founded the Passionist Congregation in 1720. This exhibit shows how Passionist priests, brothers, sisters, nuns and the peoples of the world have found compassion through the wisdom of Jesus on the Cross. See how sacred Passionist relics and inspirational art invites us to meditate on contemporary faith and healings and how artifacts and photos offer an understanding of Passionist monastic traditions and Scranton’s devotion to Good St. Ann.  The diversity of Passionist ministry is represented by scholars, various media and a commitment to peace and justice.   

On April 1, Fr. Rob Carbonneau, C.P., Ph.D., Adjunct Professor of History at the University of Scranton and Passionist historian will offer a free public lecture entitled “Our Modern Quest for Compassion of the Mind and Heart: Reflection on the Passionist Tradition, 1720 to 2020.”   

The Heritage Room exhibit will run through April 19. For more information please contact Special Collections Librarian Michael Knies at 570-941-6341.

Passionist Exhibit Reception on Monday!

This coming Monday, April 8, from 6-8 p.m., the exhibit reception for “Life, Death and Memory: Art and Artifacts from the Passionist China Collection,” will be held in the library’s Heritage Room. Passionist priest and historian Father Rob Carbonneau, C.P., Ph.D., will give a lecture dedicated to remembering the Catholic witness of faith in China and especially honoring the memories of three Passionist priests who were martyred there in April of 1929.

The event, generously sponsored by the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library and the Schemel Forum, is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact archives@scranton.edu or call 570-941-6341.

Thursday, April 9: WWII Exhibit Reception and Presentations by Dr. Sean Brennan and Dr. Frank Homer

Cornerstone of Victory

Millions of young Americans served in the armed forces from 1941 to 1945, including many students and alumni of The University of Scranton.  To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the formal conclusion of World War II, the Heritage Room is featuring an exhibit, Cornerstone of Victory, as a tribute to all of the men and women, particularly our veteran alumni, who went into harm’s way to serve their nation.  The exhibit is based on materials from the Helen Gallagher McHugh Special Collections and the University Archives. Although the McHugh Special Collections does not specifically collect material on World War II, a number of collections have relevant material that highlight the impact that this tragic event had on the University, our nation, and the world.

Two presentations and an exhibit reception will be held on Thursday, April 9 at 6pm in the Library’s fifth floor Heritage Room. This event is free and open to the public, but registrations are encouraged.

For more information, and/or to register, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

“From Harvard to Nuremberg: Father Fabian Flynn and His Service with the 26th Infantry Regiment 1943-1946″ by Dr. Sean Brennan.

Fr. Fabian Flynn was an American priest from the Passionist order who spent the years of 1943 to 1962 in Europe and who served as a military chaplain during World War II.

Dr. Sean Brennan is an Associate Professor of History at The University of Scranton. He specializes in the History of 20th Century Europe, especially in the 1940s and 1950s.

The Impact of World War II on The University of Scranton by Dr. Francis X. J. Homer

The University of Scranton underwent a transition from Christian brothers to Jesuit stewardship in 1942. Besides the change from the Christian brothers to the Jesuits, the University was significantly affected by the war, as were all other institutions of higher learning as young men went to war instead of University.

Dr. Frank Homer is a Professor of History Emeritus and serves as The University of Scranton Historian.

A memorial to alumni and students who were Gold Star Veterans of World War II, which is permanently on display in the foyer of Madonna della Strada Chapel. There is also a second plaque commemorating those who died in Vietnam
A memorial to alumni and students who were Gold Star Veterans of World War II. The plaque is permanently on display in the foyer of Madonna della Strada Chapel. A second plaque hangs next to it commemorating those who died in Vietnam.

The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library.

Click here for more information about the exhibit, which is on display in the Heritage Room until Sunday, April 26, 2015 during normal library hours.

For additional information, please contact Michael Knies, Special Collections Faculty Librarian, (570) 941-6341 or michael.knies@scranton.edu

70th Anniversary of the Conclusion of WWII: Exhibit Reception and Talks

Cornerstone of Victory Exhibit

Millions of young Americans served in the armed forces from 1941 to 1945, including many students and alumni of The University of Scranton.  To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the formal conclusion of World War II, the Heritage Room is featuring an exhibit, Cornerstone of Victory, as a tribute to all of the men and women, particularly our veteran alumni, who went into harm’s way to serve their nation.  The exhibit is based on materials from the Helen Gallagher McHugh Special Collections and the University Archives. Although the McHugh Special Collections does not specifically collect material on World War II, a number of collections have relevant material that highlight the impact that this tragic event had on the University, our nation, and the world.

Two history talks and an exhibit reception will be held on Thursday, April 9 at 6pm in the Library’s fifth floor Heritage Room. This event is free and open to the public.

“From Harvard to Nuremberg: Father Fabian Flynn and His Service with the 26th Infantry Regiment 1943-1946″ by Dr. Sean Brennan.

Fr. Fabian Flynn was an American priest from the Passionist order who spent the years of 1943 to 1962 in Europe and who served as a military chaplain during World War II.

Dr. Sean Brennan is an Associate Professor of History at The University of Scranton. He specializes in the History of 20th Century Europe, especially in the 1940s and 1950s.

The Impact of World War II on The University of Scranton by Dr. Francis X. J. Homer

The University of Scranton underwent a transition from Christian brothers to Jesuit stewardship in 1942. Besides the change from the Christian brothers to the Jesuits, the University was significantly affected by the war, as were all other institutions of higher learning as young men went to war instead of University.

Dr. Frank Homer is a Professor of History Emeritus and serves as The University of Scranton Historian.

A memorial to alumni and students who were Gold Star Veterans of World War II, which is permanently on display in the foyer of Madonna della Strada Chapel. There is also a second plaque commemorating those who died in Vietnam
A memorial to alumni and students who were Gold Star Veterans of World War II. The plaque is permanently on display in the foyer of Madonna della Strada Chapel. A second plaque hangs next to it commemorating those who died in Vietnam.

The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library.

Click here for more information about the exhibit, which is on display in the Heritage Room until Sunday, April 26, 2015 during normal library hours.

For additional information, please contact Michael Knies, Special Collections Faculty Librarian, (570) 941-6341 or michael.knies@scranton.edu

Exhibit: Cornerstone of Victory

Cornerstone of Victory Exhibit

Millions of young Americans served in the armed forces from 1941 to 1945, including many students and alumni of The University of Scranton.  To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the formal conclusion of World War II, the Heritage Room is featuring an exhibit as a tribute to all of the men and women, particularly our veteran alumni, who went into harm’s way to serve their nation.  The exhibit will be based on materials from the Helen Gallagher McHugh Special Collections and the University Archives. Although the McHugh Special Collections does not specifically collect material on World War II, a number of collections have relevant material that highlight the impact that this tragic event had on the University, our nation, and the world.

The Abe L. Plotkin Collection is focused on the end of World War II and immediately thereafter. Plotkin, a 1935 graduate, served in the United States military and was a witness to the liberation of the Ohdruf concentration camp. After the war ended, Plotkin assisted survivors of the concentration camp in getting in touch with American relatives. The exhibit will feature photographs and correspondence from his collection.

The recently acquired Passionist Congregation Archives contains Military Chaplain Reports. The Passionists, like other Catholic Church orders and congregations, provided chaplains to perform sacraments and provide counseling to soldiers. The collection contains photographs and reports from the chaplains detailing their day-to-day life and activities.

Gold Star Veterans of WWII
A memorial to alumni and students who were Gold Star Veterans of World War II, which is permanently on display in the foyer of Madonna della Strada Chapel. There is also a second plaque commemorating those who died in Vietnam

The Joseph Polakoff Collection primarily features his editorial writing on Middle Eastern affairs; however, during the 1940s Polakoff, a 1932 graduate, worked for the United States Information Agency, and some of his correspondence relates to World War II activities.

The exhibit will also feature assorted publications collected over the years that relate to the war. The University of Scranton underwent a transition from Christian brothers to Jesuit stewardship in 1942. Besides the change from the Christian brothers to the Jesuits, the University was significantly affected by the war, as were all other institutions of higher learning as young men went to war instead of University.

This exhibit reflects a period of great transition for The University of Scranton and an experience that shaped the character of many of our alumni, the institution, our nation, and the world. Seventy years ago, America rejoiced in the hope for enduring world peace. Through this exhibit, we aim to honor the bravery, honor, strength, and sacrifices of all veterans and those impacted by war.

This exhibit will be on display in the Heritage Room until Sunday, April 26, 2015. For more information, please contact Special Collections Librarian Michael Knies, Michael.Knies@Scranton.edu (570) 941-6341.