College’s ‘University’ Status OK’D

By The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Aug. 15–DALLAS TWP. — A College Misericordia spokesman said Tuesday that the state Department of Education has approved the college’s request for university status.

Spokesman Paul Krzywicki said the school is awaiting a letter from the state and that Misericordia will be a university as of Aug. 24. Krzywicki said the school has a new emblem that will not be unveiled until that day.

Under state requirements, College Misericordia first had to establish at least three separate colleges within the university and offer degrees at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. Misericordia is now divided into three colleges: health sciences, arts and sciences, and professional studies and social sciences.

The doctoral program in physical therapy and the master of business administration program will begin with the fall semester, and the occupational therapy doctoral program will start in the 2008 spring semester.

The College Misericordia board of trustees in June 2006 had voted to accept the recommendation to seek university status. The process began in August 2006 with the formation of a group of students, faculty, staff and members of the Religious Sisters of Mercy charged with exploring the idea.

The state Department of Education visited the campus as part of the process. State Department of Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak had to make the final decision on university status.

The school plans an Aug. 24 convocation ceremony on campus at Wachovia Amphitheater to welcome the freshman class and to mark the institution’s first day as Misericordia University. A condensed class schedule is planned for Aug. 27 to allow students to attend the events celebrating university status. That day will include a picnic-style lunch for the Misericordia community and its neighbors, music, a cookout and a 20-minute fireworks display.

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