Outreach

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

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Marie Young | 09/20/2021
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, the flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, is now available in Cambria County. Every family residing in Cambria County with children from birth until age 5 may register for this monthly book-gifting program to receive up to 60 free age-appropriate books!

Saint Francis University Chemistry Honor Society Helps Bring Science to Kids

07/07/2021
The Saint Francis University Chemistry Honor Society teamed up with The Quaint Corner Children's Museum to bring chemistry kits to kids. A $500 grant from the Chemistry Honor Society Gamma Sigma Epsilon National office allowed Saint Francis to donate chemistry supplies for ten chemistry kits distributed to local libraries and institutions in Blair County. These kits allow staff to conduct science experiments for children and showcase basic chemistry lessons during organized activities. The kits were assembled by The Quaint Corner Children's Museum in Altoona. Each kit includes the book " Real

Saint Francis University Now Accepting Submissions for New Literary Magazine

05/13/2021
Attention aspiring artists and authors! The English Department at Saint Francis University is now accepting submissions from high school students for their new online magazine, New Constellations . Students looking to be published in the inaugural issue can submit their work starting May 15th through June 15th, 2021. Submission categories include fiction, flash fiction, micro fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Visual art may also be submitted including photographs sketches, and paintings. To submit your work, visit newconstellationsmag.weebly.com . You may also contact the magazine

Compassionate Caregiving and the Healing Power of Music

05/12/2021
When Krysta Weik (an exercise physiology major from Lebanon, PA,) and Paige Bacigal (a nursing major from Campbell Hall, NY) signed up for the Compassionate Caregiving course at Saint Francis University they found themselves tapping into the healing power of music. Kyrsta Weik (left), Paige Bacigal (right) This course (Religious Studies 302) centers on the importance of compassion in health care. Students learn about the religious roots of compassion by reading sacred texts from the East and West, as well as a diverse set of illness narratives. Students are also charged with creating a

SFU to Compete Virtually in Special Olympics Unified Sports® National Championship

04/02/2021
During the week of April 12-16, 2021, Saint Francis University will participate as one of more than 30 teams from across the country in the first ever Special Olympics Unified Sports® Virtual College Championship Week. The teams will compete across a series of 15 challenges that require team members to connect with each other and spread a message of inclusion through social media. Through its partnership with ESPN, Special Olympics is hosting the week as a way for Special Olympics Colleges to compete against others while adhering to social distancing and in-person restrictions that many

SFU to Host K-12 PA Statistics Poster Competition

02/03/2021
Saint Francis University is happy to announce that SFU Science Outreach Center will again host the Pennsylvania Statistics Poster Competition for 2021. The competitions, held virtually, will offer cash prizes and certificates for first, second, third, and fourth place in each category. Certificates are awarded for honorable mentions in each category. The winning posters from the Pennsylvania Competition are submitted to the National Statistics Poster Competition. Posters MUST be registered/submitted electronically by midnight on Friday, March 12, 2021. General Information: A statistics poster

Saint Francis University Friar Raises Over 100k for Charity

01/28/2021
Saint Francis University 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 Saint Francis University. Donations

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

01/22/2021
Saint Francis University 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 Saint Francis University 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, Saint Francis University 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, Saint Francis University 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/