Misericordia University Celebrates Generosity at Annual Gala

Misericordia University hosted its annual Trustee Associates Gala on October 18, 2023, at the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The event recognized supporters whose contributions have significantly advanced the university’s mission of academic excellence, service, and mercy.

Sister Mary Ann Dillon, RSM, Ph.D. ’68, began the evening with an invocation, setting a tone of gratitude and reflection. Daniel J. Myers, Ph.D., the university’s 15th president, highlighted the institution’s “extraordinary generosity” during his fifth year in office. He noted the recent achievement of welcoming the second-largest first-year class in the university’s history, a milestone he attributed to the unwavering support from benefactors and alumni.

Honoring Distinguished Contributors

The gala honored Dorothy Dickson Darling, president of Darling Entertainment Management Group, with the Trustee Associates Award. A Kingston native, Darling has made substantial contributions to campus projects, including the Brassington Athletic Dome and Mangelsdorf Field, named in memory of her late husband, Jack F. Mangelsdorf Jr. Her legacy of support continues through her son, Jack Ewen Mangelsdorf, who is currently a student-athlete at Misericordia.

Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Mercy Mission Medal to Rosemary Dvorsky Gido, Ph.D., ’67, a respected sociologist and criminologist. Dr. Gido shared her inspiring journey from Wilkes-Barre to her esteemed academic career, crediting Misericordia for instilling values of mercy, service, justice, and hospitality. She emphasized the importance of mentorship, particularly from Sister Mary Hildegarde, in shaping her commitment to social justice and educational equity. Her family has established several scholarships, notably the Sister Hildegarde’s Justice and Mercy Scholarship for Women with Children.

A Legacy of Support for Education

The gala also recognized The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation with the Founders Medal for nearly four decades of partnership with Misericordia University. Executive Director Dr. Gianna Durso-Finley accepted the award and recounted the remarkable story of Charlotte Newcombe, who, despite facing significant challenges in her early life, championed lifelong learning and educational support. Dr. Durso-Finley noted that the foundation’s mission to assist mature students and those with disabilities aligns closely with the values of the Sisters of Mercy.

Over its 40 years of operation, the Newcombe Foundation has awarded more than $75 million in scholarships to over 50,000 students across the United States, including 850 students at Misericordia, amounting to a total of $1.3 million in financial support.

The Trustee Associates Gala successfully brought together alumni, benefactors, and friends of Misericordia University to celebrate the profound impact of generosity and commitment to higher education. The evening underscored the university’s mission and the vital role that community support plays in transforming lives through education.