The President’s Breakfast, the last event of CHEW’s Stress-Less Week, was hosted on the third floor of The DeNaples Center on Monday night. The breakfast helps students take time away from the books and their notes for a much-needed study break. Professors took a break from preparing the students’ final exams to serve some staple breakfast foods: scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, french toasts. Professors brought the meals to the students to help ease the stresses of finals week, even if only a bit, as well as to interact with the students and impart some words of wisdom about how to prepare for the exams and how to stay just a little less stressed. Even Fr. Keller was on third floor doing some rounds to say hi and chat with the students and the CHEW helpers.

“It’s so nice to see the professors outside of the classroom. I’ve come to this event every year because it really does let me take a breather from all of the hectic studying,” said Justin Cardino, a senior.

The President’s Breakfast is a tradition of sorts for most of the students that go, it gives them a chance to bond and relax in the midst of a chaotic week — the free food is an added bonus. CHEW’s Stress-Less officially ended on Monday and it ended with a bang — the good feelings of knowing that there are organizations like CHEW that are willing to look out for you is yet another thing that make The University of Scranton feels like home.

For more information on CHEW, check out their page.

To watch the Instagram story from the President’s Breakfast check out our Flickr.

Sitting down to write this, I’m finally coming to terms with the fact that graduation really is right around the corner (I still refuse to have an accurate countdown, though, because I definitely cannot handle that). The feeling is definitely bittersweet — new opportunities and a new chapter lie just beyond graduation, but that carries with it the reality that I won’t be coming back to campus in the fall for another year at The University of Scranton. My time here at the University has, in every sense, changed my life for the better. These four years here have been so precious to me and I have so many people and experiences to thank for that.

Being at the University has drawn me out of my comfort zone and into the habit of welcoming the unknown. I learned from the people around me and from my experiences here that not everything requires meticulous planning because why not be spontaneous — you never truly know what good could happen. If it wasn’t for this lesson I never would have done half of the things I experienced on campus. I would never have met some of my closest friends. I would have been stuck in a routine that wouldn’t have gotten me anywhere. But, the warm and welcoming atmosphere that I found when I first visited the University drove me to reach out and to try new things. I knew deep down that here, at the University, is where I belonged. And, it was in this sense of belonging that my love for The University of Scranton grew.

I want to leave some advice to the current students and the incoming first-years: Be open to the people and things around you. Welcome them in because that’s where you will find the most love for this school and for what it offers you. Cherish the little moments, as well as the big ones. When I look back on these four years, it’s not always the big things that stick out to me. It’s downtime I spent with my friends after classes, gathered in one of our rooms sharing stories of the day or cracking jokes and teasing one another. It’s all of my friends getting dinner every day exactly at 5 o’clock sharp. It’s watching the Dionne Green get crowded with students playing with frisbees and dogs and basking in the sun on the first warm day after a brutal Scranton winter. It’s realizing you can actually make jokes with your professors without getting in trouble. It’s every second of every day at The University of Scranton where you see a tight-knit community come together and form to create a place you never want to leave. This is why I love my four years here at The University of Scranton, and this is why I want you to love yours too.

Seniors (but this goes for the other class years as well), no need to fear, the Career Center is here to help with any and all of your burning questions about finding a career and the process it can involve. We got in touch with Chris Whitney, director of The Gerald Roche Center for Career Development, to see what she had to say:

Q: As we get closer to graduation, how can seniors use the services of the Career Center (in general, what do you offer that seniors can turn to)? Where do we, “the seniors”, go from here?

A: The Center for Career Development is available to all students and alumni to help at any stage of your career path. If you are trying to figure out where to go or what to do after graduation, I suggest talking to one of the career coaches. You can reach a member of the team by calling (570)941-7640 or emailing careers@scranton.edu.

You can also explore what options are available by going to Handshake, our job posting site at scranton.joinhandshake.com/login There are currently more than 4,000 active listings in all parts of the world.

Q: What are some tips and tricks and advice that the Career Center can offer seniors in the pursuit of a job and/or how to properly enter the workforce?

A: The Royal network is mighty! We have alumni all over the world that are willing to help students along their path to success. LinkedIn is a great tool to locate alumni in the city or industry that you are most interested in. When getting ready to apply for a job, I suggest that you try to find alumni that work there to get some insight to what the company culture is and how you could be most competitive.

Q: What kind of work the Career Center does with resume-building, networking/finding alumni connections, practicing for interviews?

A: As our seniors get ready to be competitive in the job market, we can walk with them every step of the way. We can review resumes and help prepare for interviews through in person or online mock interviews. We can guide them through the networking process to help them reach out to alumni.

Leaving campus to enter the world of work can be a little nerve-wracking. My advice to seniors as they prepare for this is to take a deep breath. Remember that you will never be alone. We will always be here to serve you – Once a Royal, Always a Royal. We are a phone call or email away.

For more information about the Career Center or for any other questions check out their page, here.

Q: What is one of the biggest lessons you learned after your time at Scranton?

A: I learned that if you or someone you know has a problem or an issue that it’s okay to go and ask for help. No one has to handle anything on their own, especially at a place like the University.

Q: What is one thing you will miss about The University of Scranton?

A: Definitely being able to see my friends every day. You never realize how convenient and close they are until you all move to different places after graduation.

Q: What is one piece of advice you have for incoming or current students at The University of Scranton?

A: Be open…to people, activities, clubs, events and fun. It’s the best thing you can do if you want to have a fulfilling campus life and college experience.

Q:  What is a major life lesson you learned after your time at Scranton?

A: Independence is something that should be cherished, don’t rely on someone else for something that you can do yourself.

Q: What is one thing you’ll miss the most about your time in college?

A: Being surrounded by my best friends on campus.

Q: What is one piece of advice for incoming or current students at The University of Scranton?

A: Be genuine, be open to meeting new people & learning new things, and always stay true to yourself.

By: Olivia Adams

As the countdown from 10 finished, an avalanche of tennis balls came out of a truck and down the commons. The Great Commons Ball Roll had officially begun.

Students, faculty, staff and even a few puppies lined the barricades for the balls, cheering as rolled and bounced toward the finish line. Who knew watching tennis balls could draw such a crowd? Well, with sunshine, pizza, Italian ice, 130 different prizes and a good cause, the University’s International Service Programs (ISP) knew.

ISP hosted the event to raise money for their many service trips.

“We’re raising money for our club, and also the trips,” said junior ISP member, Emily Erickson. “Students have to pay a flat rate when we go on the trips, but all the fundraising we do, especially the ball roll, helps for our costs.” Erickson will be going to El Salvador this summer with CRISPAZ, a faith-based organization helping bring help to people in need in El Salvador.

The Great Commons Ball Roll was a huge success! ISP sold 4,084 balls, the most ever in club history. This generated an estimated almost $9,000. More than 400 students shuffled through the crowd to grab a slice and some Italian ice, on top of donating to a great cause! The event offered 120 boxes of pizza, 130 prizes for the winners of the ball roll — donated by ISP members — and Rita’s for everyone in attendance.

The winners of the ball roll are posted on second floor of The DeNaples Center and also can be seen in the Royal News, here.