News & Notes
Déjà Vu!
This fall, Moravian University welcomed the largest incoming class in its 282-year history—528 full-time students. While across the nation, college and university enrollments continue to decline, and 99 institutions closed their doors from the 2022–23 academic year to 2023–24, Moravian continues an upward trajectory. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Moravian University is the fastest-growing college or university in the region, with a 30 percent increase in full-time students since 2014.
Student orientation leaders are an enthusiastic bunch. Photo by Nick Chismar ’20
Photo by Nick Chismar ’20
More Apples on Campus
This fall, in addition to a MacBook Pro, iPad, and Apple Pencil, all incoming first-time undergraduate students received an Apple Watch to support them in their physical, mental, and emotional well-being throughout their time at Moravian and beyond. The watch provides students a mobile ID for access to facilities and for payment at the dining hall. In addition, students can anonymously provide data on their health and wellness. The university will analyze that data and support users with easy access to resources as they address wellness gaps, stress, and anxiety. The initiative comes as Moravian’s designation as an Apple Distinguished School has been extended to 2027.
Biology Professor Awarded $500,846 Grant
Sara McClelland, associate professor of biological sciences, has been awarded a $500,846 grant. The three-year grant was awarded by the National Science Foundation’s program Building Research Capacity of New Faculty in Biology (BRC-BIO). It will fund McClelland’s research into the potential health effects of our exposure to micro- and nanoplastics, which we inadvertently eat, drink, and breathe. It’s an area that—surprisingly—hasn’t been studied. The funding for McClelland’s research will also support a considerable amount of student research and travel to conferences.
Photo by Nick Chismar ’20
Elementary school students work on the peace mural; Mary Jo Rosania-Harvie, assistant professor of art education, speaks at the celebration of the Bethlehem Peace Mural. Photos by Nick Chismar ’20
Bethlehem Mural Represents PA in CITYarts’ 50 States of Peace
Thanks to a collaboration between Moravian University and CITYarts, a global nonprofit organization based in New York City, a colorful mural symbolizing peace has been installed at Bernie Fritz Park. The peace mural was created entirely by Bethlehem community members, most of them students from the 4th through 12th grades. Moravian’s Cathy Coyne, associate professor of public health, and MaryJo Rosania-Harvie, assistant professor of art and art education, cochaired the project.
The endeavor engaged not only Moravian University and CITYarts but also the Bethlehem Area School District (BASD), the City of Bethlehem’s Department of Community and Economic Development, the Bethlehem Arts Commission, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and ArtsQuest/Banana Factory. Students in Coyne’s and Rosania-Harvie’s Integrated Learning Communities courses were also involved.
Roughly 200 Bethlehem students painted pieces of the mural at their schools. Renowned muralist Matt Halm then assembled the more than 90 images into the Bethlehem Peace Mural at Bernie Fritz.
Tsipi Ben-Haim, founder, executive, and creative director of CITYarts, was on hand to celebrate the unveiling on September 7. CITYarts’ 50 States of Peace is an initiative to bring young people from across the country into a dialogue with each other through the creation of art reflecting their visions of peace.
Department of Education Receives Funding
Moravian’s Department of Education has been generously funded through a grant by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to run two Service Learning Opportunities (SLOs) through the Developing Future Special Educators Grant. Faculty members Jean DesJardin, Laurie Kahn, and Carolanne Carty are arranging panels of local experts in the field of special education and related services and creating an inclusive education club that will connect local high schools with our Moravian education students.
60th Anniversary of Sisterhood
President Grigsby represented the Honorable J. William Reynolds, Mayor of Bethlehem, at the 60th anniversary celebration of the Sister City relationship between Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Tondabayashi, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. The event was marked by an exchange of gifts with the Honorable Toshi Tada, Mayor of Tondabayashi, and a symbolic tree-planting ceremony.
This event also marked the 30th anniversary of the cultural and academic exchange between Moravian University and Osaka Ohtani University. Over the past three decades, this partnership has facilitated the exchange of scholarly ideas, research, and student experiences, greatly benefiting both institutions.
An Emmy Nomination!
Okay, we didn’t win the Emmy, but the short film about the Black and Latino Male College Readiness Program of the Lehigh Valley at Moravian (a mouthful indeed!) received a nomination for a regional Emmy Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion—an accomplishment to celebrate. The film was produced by eMediaWorks in collaboration with Moravian University and 2023 program sponsor Air Products. You can view the inspiring film at mrvn.co/readiness-video, then read all about the readiness program.
A First for Moravian
Moravian University has appointed Heather K. Hosfeld, Esq. ’92 as its first Vice President and General Counsel. Hosfeld is a 1992 graduate of Moravian College and has served as part-time counsel for the university since October of 2022 through an arrangement with Lehigh University. Hosfeld brings to Moravian more than 20 years of experience in the practice of higher-education law.
Where We Stand
Every year, national publications put out their rankings of colleges and universities. Moravian is happy to boast about several of our standings.
#37
in the best universities in the North
U.S. News & World Report
#32 Best Value Schools
among Regional Universities
U.S. News & World Report
#39 Best Colleges for Veterans
among Regional Universities
U.S. News & World Report
#104 Best Colleges for Social Mobility
among Regional Universities
U.S. News & World Report
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