Outreach

A collection of news and stories sharing outreach and service efforts connected to the SFU community. 

Ƶ Friar Raises Over 100k for Charity

01/28/2021
Ƶ is proud to announce that the Brother Shamus McGrenra Charity Bike Ride has raised $113,439 for local residents struggling with rural poverty. On September 14, 2020, Brother Shamus McGrenra, a 73-year-old, stage 4 colon cancer survivor and Franciscan Friar embarked on his 10th Annual #GoBroShamus Charity Bike Ride . Brother Shamus cycled nearly 400 miles following the Erie Canal, starting his journey in Buffalo, NY and concluded his ride in Albany, NY. All the money raised will be used to support the Dorothy Day Outreach Center at Ƶ. Donations

SFU Honors the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

01/22/2021
Ƶ honored the enduring legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with in-person and virtual discussions, group activities and educational displays. The MLK Day Celebration was a day of education and reflection on Dr. Kings’ philosophy of nonviolent social change and conflict-reconciliation. This year’s Martin Luther King Day coincided with SFU’s Convocation, and featured keynote speaker, Mr. Bill Strickland, founder, and Chairman of Manchester Bidwell Corporation . Mr. Strickland is the author of “Make the Impossible Possible”, which speaks of his personal crusade to inspire

Compassion and Computers

12/17/2020
The fullest and most far-reaching expression of the mission of Ƶ are the Franciscan values which were lived by its founding brothers. Humbleness, respect, and service are just a few of the G oals of Franciscan Higher Education . These goals reach well beyond the comfy confines of Loretto and extend to the surrounding community. Recently, Ƶ donated over a dozen laptop computers to the Flood City Youth Fitness Academy’s virtual learning center, a charitable organization serving the needs of children and their families living in the Johnstown area. We

In the News: Ty Stewart's efforts to get out the vote featured on WTAJ

09/17/2020
In the news: With less than 50 days until the election, Ƶ red-shirt sophomore Ty Stewart is working to get his fellow classmates signed up to vote. On top of classes and the Red Flash back to practice, Stewart has been going around campus urging people to sign up to vote at AllintoVote.org, a non partisan voting campaign. Read the full story here: https://www.wearecentralpa.com/local/sfus-ty-stewart-is-urging-his-classmates-to-vote/

Ƶ community launches production of 3-D printed face shields

05/05/2020
SFU Academic Departments Pull Together to Help Medical Staffs Stay Safe with 3d Printed Face Shields We have all seen the constant news reports about the shortages of medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical staffs and first responders. A team from the Ƶ School of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) and the Shields School of Business (SSOB) has swung into action to help mass produce medical face shields. Since April 28, this volunteer team of faculty, administrators, and students has assembled and distributed nearly

PT Students Team Up with Philadelphia Eagles to Help Kids

12/20/2019
The Ƶ GoBabyGo chapter teamed up with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to bring custom-built motorized vehicles to children with disabilities. 34 Physical Therapy students and five faculty members attended the Partners and Power Wheels event on December 2 at Lincoln Financial Field. GoBabyGo is a national organization that builds battery-powered, Power Wheels-brand cars for children with limited mobility. The cars are modified to include hand-switch activation and posture supports so that the children are properly supported in the car.

Real Chemistry Experiments: 40 Exciting STEAM Activities for Kids

10/02/2019
Book of chemistry experiments geared to tweens, penned by SFU professor, released in time for Christmas gift giving Real Chemistry Experiments: 40 Exciting STEAM Activities for Kids i s available for pre-order from Amazon and other larger retailers with a scheduled release date of Dec. 10. This colorful, step-by-step guide, written by Ƶ Chemistry Professor, Dr. Edward P. Zovinka, aims to make the learning process fun for budding kid chemists ages 8-12. The book outlines real-life science activities that allow the tweens to learn the real chemistry behind how and why each

Students develop communication tools for local child who is deaf and blind

08/19/2019
Thomas is a blind and deaf 8-year old from Lilly, PA. SFU Education majors teamed up with Chemistry students to create learning solutions for Thomas. Students designed symbols which they printed on a 3D printer. Project is part of a community-engaged course in which students apply what they learn in class to help the community. Thomas is an 8 year old boy from Lilly, PA who is mostly blind and deaf. Eager to help, Ƶ Education majors began working on a project to support Thomas’s understanding and communication with the world around him. Education Professor MaryAnn Shaw

Students Participate in Domestic Dental Mission Trip

06/09/2019
Dr. Justin Merry , Associate Professor of Biology , Ms. Jen Merry, Assistant Director of Marketing Strategy, and Dr. Tim Bintrim , Professor of English and Environmental Studies , led a delegation of ten student volunteers to MOM-n-PA , the Pennsylvania Dental Mission of Mercy, held at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre June 7-8, 2019. Now in its eighth year, MOM-n-PA is a huge event that serves roughly 1,800 people over two days, each year delivering a million dollars in free dental services to the under-served. Almost all patients either lack dental insurance or are under-insured, and many

Ƶ Partners with GoBabyGo

02/17/2019
Young children develop as they explore their environment. Most are able to independently crawl, roll, scoot, creep, or walk around to explore and learn. When they are unable to do this independently they are at a disadvantage. They are limited to what toys are within reach and are often times stationary and only mobile by means of a caregiver leading the exploration. The Physical Therapy Department at Ƶ has a solution. In collaboration with the national organization, GoBabyGo , the university will begin producing ride along, modified battery powered cars for children