Students currently enrolled in Marywood's architecture program have been busy giving back to the community through several opportunities, including building toys for donation to The Friendship House, the "Introducing Possibilities" exhibit at the Everhart Museum, and the construction of a six-foot Victorian Christmas tree for use in the Ballet Theatre of Scranton's annual community presentation of The Nutcracker Ballet at Marywood, which helped raise money for Habitat for Humanity.

A group of twelve seniors from the Interior Architecture program volunteered to design a new center for Marley's Mission, a private, non-profit corporation whose goal is to provide equine (horse-assisted) therapy for children victimized by abuse. The students' work was featured at a Blue Ribbon Gala in February with over 500 people in attendance. Their designs will serve as the catalyst to raise funding to make construction possible.
Interior architecture students also designed outfits out of recycled materials for the 12th Annual Dress for Success Fashion Show. Newspaper ball gowns, paint–swatch shirts, and magazine dresses were just some of the earth-friendly fashions created.

"My design is wine corks from the restaurant where I work. They are recycled. I asked them to collect them for me. The ribbon is from my mom who makes bows. So, she had all of this extra ribbon," said Kim Becker, Marywood University Interior Architecture student.

The mission of Dress for Success is giving underprivileged women professional clothing to help them succeed in the workplace and in life.

Service, a core value of Marywood University, has become engrained in every Marywood architecture student. These students have been inspired to pursue their own dreams, with full support from the community. These acts of dedication to the campus and greater Scranton community were made possible through the financial support of Marywood's benefactors and a steadfast belief in our students, "the leaders of tomorrow."

This ongoing, reciprocal collaboration continues to inspire students and contributes to positive changes throughout the community. Thank you to the George I. Alden Trust, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, Penn Security Bank and Trust Company, the PNC Foundation and PPL for investing in our students. Your generosity and interest have led to current and future community developments.

Meeting the Challenge: Alden Challenge Grant Will
Support Architecture Phase II

A one-to-one Challenge Grant of $100,000 has been awarded to Marywood by the George I. Alden Trust to support Phase II renovations and expansion of our Center for Architectural Studies. This innovative opportunity provides a full match in new gifts or increased giving from existing benefactors up to $100,000 dollars. Your support is vital. With a three-year commitment of $2,015 per year, you will become a member of our 2015 Society and help us secure a $100,000 grant.
As this second phase of the facility takes shape, it will provide students with first-hand insight into three-dimensional sustainable design concepts and technologies, as well as the environmental and human impact of this kind of project. Marywood University is grateful to the George I. Alden Trust for its vision and generosity.