Gift from Bequest of Brian E. McHugh ’59 on Display in 5th Floor Heritage Room

A gorgeous grandfather clock, dated to the 1780s, has been installed in the Library’s 5th floor Heritage Room. This was made possible by a bequest from the late Brian E. McHugh ’59, who also included an incredible $500,000 endowment fund in support of the Library. 

“Tall case” clock making flourished in Pennsylvania in the late 18th and early to mid-19th centuries, first imitating English craftsmanship before developing its own unique characteristics. This example, in the style of famed London furniture-maker Thomas Chippendale but likely Pennsylvania Dutch built, must be hand wound and includes a rotating dial depicting phases of the moon throughout the month. The hourly chimes have been disabled so all can study in peace, and two finials and an eagle, usually sitting on top, are currently being repaired.  

This will serve to complement the beautiful grandmother clock, formerly belonging to Brian’s mother, on display in the 4th floor Reading Room of The Helen Gallagher McHugh Special Collections named in her memory.  

In Memoriam: The 20th Anniversary of 9/11

Twenty years ago, The University of Scranton joined the world in shock and heartache as we witnessed the tragedies of September 11th transpire across New York City, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

On that day, the University community lost Michael Costello ’96, Timothy Finnerty ’90, Charles Heeran ’00, Timothy Hughes ’80 and William Kelly ’93, in addition to 32 relatives of students and graduates, all of whose names are preserved within the Madonna della Strada Chapel.

In the subsequent days and weeks, the University community showed its indomitable Ignatian spirit: students, staff, and faculty donated blood, raised money for numerous organizations such as the United Way 9/11 Fund, and procured supplies for the ongoing rescue effort.

Now, two decades later, we pause in remembrance of those lost and to reflect upon our shared experience.

 

 

In Memory of Katherine “Kay” Reilly ’53 (July 12, 1922-August 31, 2021)

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Katherine “Kay” Reilly. Kay was a great supporter of The University of Scranton and the Weinberg Memorial Library, in particular.

Kay was one of the first female graduates of The University of Scranton, along with her sister, Evelyn ’52. After graduating, they helped draft the charter that formed the Women’s Alumni Society and served as its officers for many years.

Kay, Evelyn, and their brother Joe donated to The University of Scranton and the Weinberg Memorial Library allowing for the creation and dedication of the Reilly Learning Commons. In addition to the Reilly Learning Commons, Kay and her sister also established the Evelyn M. and the Katherine T. Reilly Scholarship at the University. 

Kay was a trailblazer who set the course for future women at the University. We are thankful for all she has done for our community and the Library, and we send our deepest condolences to her family.

You can view her full obituary  here.

In Memory of Brian E. McHugh ’59 (January 1, 1937 – August 9, 2021)

It is with immense sadness that we announce the loss of Brian E. McHugh ’59, dear friend to the Weinberg Memorial Library, The University of Scranton, and the wider community.   

Born in Kingston and a graduate of Kingston High School, Brian would serve in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. After being honorably discharged, Brian studied at the University of Havana, Cuba and earned a B.S. in Psychology from The University of Scranton in 1959.   

With an entrepreneurial career spanning instruction, banking, and construction, Brian was most recently a field consultant for business development. He was also a member of the Advisory Board of The Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library and active in both the Luzerne County and Kingston Historical Societies. His generous estate gift to the library, in memory of his mother, resulted in the naming of the Helen Gallagher McHugh Special Collections.  

He will be greatly missed.

In Memory of Glynn S. Lunney H’71 (November 27, 1936 – March 19, 2021)

Legendary NASA engineer and University of Scranton alumnus Glynn S. Lunney passed away on March 19th at the age of 84. Lunney was lead flight director at NASA for Apollo 1, 4, 7, and 10, and on duty as flight director during the Apollo 11 moon landing. A native of Old Forge, Lunney graduated from Scranton Prep and studied at the University until 1955 before receiving his B.S. in aerospace engineering from the University of Detroit. He was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Scranton in 1971, conferred by president Rev. Dexter Hanley, S.J., who received an autographed moon landing photo from Lunney (see below). He will be remembered for his incredible contributions to US spaceflight.

The full citation for his 1971 honorary doctor of laws degree is in our digital collections. If you’re on campus, you can also browse newspaper clippings concerning his honorary degree and undergraduate commencement address.

Apollo 11 Moon Landing Photograph Signed by Glynn S. Lunney for Rev. Dexter Hanley, S.J.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, we are honoring Glynn S. Lunney H’71. Lunney was a flight director for NASA and was on duty during the Apollo 11 moon landing. A native of Old Forge, Lunney graduated from Scranton Prep and studied at the University of Scranton from 1951 to 1953 before receiving his B.S. in aerospace engineering from the University of Detroit.

He autographed this moon landing photograph, probably in 1971, for Rev. Dexter Hanley, S.J., president of the University of Scranton from 1970-1975.

The full citation for his 1971 honorary doctor of laws degree is in our digital collections. If you’re on campus, you can also browse newspaper clippings concerning his honorary degree and undergraduate commencement address.

 

 

University of Scranton Alumni Authors Exhibit

Each June, the Weinberg Memorial Library presents the University of Scranton Alumni Authors Exhibit. Covering a range of subjects, the exhibit presents the works of alumni who became nonfiction writers, novelists, children’s literature writers, and historians. The earliest alumnus featured is Clarence Walton, ’37, 10th president of The Catholic University of America and the first layman to hold the position. Also presented are works by Jason Miller, ’61, H’73, who received the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play That Championship Season. The exhibit also includes Highways into Space, by retired NASA engineer, Glynn Lunney, ’55, H’71.  Lunney joined NASA as an engineer in 1958 and went on to become a flight director for the Gemini and Apollo programs, including the Apollo 13 crisis for which he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

For a full list of books by alumni at the Weinberg Memorial Library, please visit Scranton.edu/alumniauthors. The exhibit will be on display in the Library’s 5th floor Heritage Room through the month of June. It is open to the public and can be viewed during normal library hours. For more information, please email Special Collections Librarian, Michael Knies, at michael.knies@scranton.edu or call 570-941-6341.

Alumni interested in donating their published works to the Library can mail a copy to the Office of University Advancement, 800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18510.

University of Scranton Alumni Authors Exhibit

Each June, the Weinberg Memorial Library presents the University of Scranton Alumni Authors Exhibit. Covering a range of subjects, the exhibit presents the works of alumni who became nonfiction writers, novelists, children’s literature writers, and historians. The earliest alumnus featured is Clarence Walton, ’37, 10th president of The Catholic University of America and the first layman to hold the position. Also presented are works by Jason Miller, ’61, H’73, who received the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play That Championship Season. The exhibit also includes a recent acquisition, Highways into Space, by retired NASA engineer, Glynn Lunney, ’55, H’71.  Lunney joined NASA as an engineer in 1958 and went on to become a flight director for the Gemini and Apollo programs, including the Apollo 13 crisis for which he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

For a full list of books by alumni at the Weinberg Memorial Library, please visit Scranton.edu/alumniauthors. The exhibit will be on display in the Library’s 5th floor Heritage Room through the month of June. It is open to the public and can be viewed during normal library hours. For more information, please email Special Collections Librarian, Michael Knies, at michael.knies@scranton.edu or call 570-941-6341.

Alumni interested in donating their published works to the Library can mail a copy to the Office of University Advancement, 800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18510.

University of Scranton Alumni Authors Exhibit

Each June, the Weinberg Memorial Library presents the University of Scranton Alumni Authors Exhibit. Covering a range of subjects, the exhibit presents the works of alumni who became nonfiction writers, novelists, children’s literature writers, and historians. The earliest alumnus featured is Clarence Walton, ’37, 10th president of The Catholic University of America and the first layman to hold the position. Also presented are works by Jason Miller, ’61, H’73, who received the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play That Championship Season. The exhibit also includes a recent acquisition, Highways into Space, by retired NASA engineer, Glynn Lunney, ’55, H’71.  Lunney joined NASA as an engineer in 1958 and went on to become a flight director for the Gemini and Apollo programs, including the Apollo 13 crisis for which he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

For a full list of books by alumni at the Weinberg Memorial Library, please visit Scranton.edu/alumniauthors. The exhibit will be on display in the Library’s 5th floor Heritage Room through the month of June. It is open to the public and can be viewed during normal library hours. For more information, please email Special Collections Librarian, Michael Knies, at michael.knies@scranton.edu or call 570-941-6341.

Alumni interested in donating their published works to the Library can mail a copy to the Office of University Advancement, 800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18510.

University of Scranton Alumni Authors Exhibit

Throughout the month of June, The University of Scranton Alumni Authors Exhibit is on display in the Library’s 5th floor Heritage Room. The exhibit showcases books by more than a hundred alumni authors.

Covering a wide range of subjects, the exhibit encompasses alumni who became authors in their academic fields, nonfiction writers, novelists, children’s literature writers, and historians. The earliest alumnus featured is Clarence Walton, ’37, 10th president of The Catholic University of America and the first layman to hold the position. The youngest graduate featured in the exhibit is Sarah M. Piccini, ’07, G’10, whose local history book, Framing Faith, provides a pictorial history of former churches in the Diocese of Scranton. Also included in the exhibit is Jason Miller, ’61, H’73, who received the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play That Championship Season. 

The exhibit also features a collection of books by alumna and children’s literature writer, Susan Campbell Bartoletti, G’82, who has written a Newberry Honor Book and a Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal winner.  She is also the recipient of 2013 Friends of the Weinberg Library Royden B. Davis, S.J., Distinguished Author Award.

A recent addition to the collection is a book by retired NASA engineer, Glynn Lunney, ’55, H’71.  Lunney was an employee of NASA from its creation in 1958 until 1985 and was the flight director during the Gemini and Apollo programs. He was on duty during historic events such as the ascent of Apollo 11 and the pivotal hours of the Apollo 13 crisis.

We encourage you to explore this exhibit and celebrate our alumni and their important contributions to the publishing world. The exhibit is on display during normal library hours.  For a full list of books by alumni authors that are available at the Weinberg Memorial Library visit Scranton.edu/alumniauthors.

For more information about the exhibit, please contact Michael Knies, Special Collections Librarian, (570) 941-6341.

If you are an alum with a published book and would like to donate a copy to the library for display in its annual exhibit, please mail a copy to The Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement, 800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18510.