Misericordia University Announces Mercy Transforms: The Next 100 Years

Misericordia University Announces Mercy Transforms: The Next 100 Years 

DALLAS, PA - Misericordia University is building on the momentum of its 2024 Centennial with the announcement of its next phase of fundraising, Mercy Transforms: The Next 100 Years, the Campaign for Misericordia University. The expanded fundraising initiative was announced during the university’s annual Trustee Associates Gala, held at the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre.  

In addition to honoring Misericordia’s most generous donors at the Gala, President Daniel J. Myers, Ph.D., Roger Howell, chair of the Advancement Committee of the Board of Trustees, and Todd Anthony Sloan, Vice President of University Advancement, together announced the Mercy Transforms phase of Misericordia’s comprehensive campaign, and introduced Marjorie Henry Marquart, of Shavertown, and David M. Payne, Jr., of Dallas, as Mercy Transforms campaign co-chairs.   

“A bold vision requires equally bold investments,” said Dr. Myers. “Our next campaign phase, Mercy Transforms, The Next 100 Years, is built on three foundational pillars— a Misericordia that is energized, engaged, and eternal. These pillars encompass priority investments in capital projects, such as reenergizing the College of Business, instituting academic and athletic enhancements, and providing continued support of the Misericordia Fund and growing our endowment. All of which will forever fund student scholarships, experiential learning, academic innovation, mission, and service. Few understand better than Marjorie and David – two dedicated alumni from the class of 1985 and highly respected members of the Wyoming Valley community –  the value of a Misericordia education. I am exceptionally grateful to have them lead the charge. They are exceptionally capable of helping us succeed.”  

Howell added, “Having welcomed our second largest first-year class in history this fall, our reach now extends beyond northeastern Pennsylvania, attracting bright students from around the world who are called to embrace our values. Today, Misericordia stands at a transformative crossroads: the chance to build not just a university that endures, but one that leads by redefining excellence, expanding opportunities, and shaping the next century of innovation, impact, and ethical leadership. The Mercy Transforms: Our Next 100 Years initiative accelerates our efforts to raise $50 million to enhance the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy charisms of Mercy, Service, Justice, and Hospitality, and advance the capabilities of Misericordia University at the dawn of its second century,” he said. 

“Looking back with pride over the first 100 years shows just how far we have come, and offers an opportunity to develop an equally bold vision for the future,” added Sloan. “The comprehensive campaign plans encompass priority investments in capital projects, academic programming, and student success. These investments will fuel our new strategic plan and next century of growth.” 

Marquart serves as a consultant for Martz Bus, and is a Wyoming Seminary graduate and magna cum laude alumna of the Misericordia University, Class of 1985, where she earned a BS in elementary education. She also holds a BS in business management from the University of Tampa. The daughter of the late Frank M. and Dorothea Henry, the family has been recognized as among most exceptional providers of leadership, business acumen, and philanthropy at Misericordia and across the region. Their many years of support include establishing the Henry Family Scholarship in 2004, and funding the renovation of the former Black Top Lounge on campus, a 1960s-era building that was renovated to accommodate the needs of a growing campus population. In 2014, Mr. Henry committed the largest gift in university history at the time in support of Now For Tomorrow: The Campaign for Misericordia University, resulting in the construction of the Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Science Center. The university’s largest academic building features state-of-the-art laboratories and classroom space, and was dedicated in 2021. A lecture hall in the Henry Science Center was gifted by Marjorie, who follows in the footsteps of her mother, serving on the Misericordia University Board of Trustees since 2013.  

Well respected for his nearly forty-year career in investment banking, Payne is managing director of PNC Capital Markets, Scranton, which provides investment banking and bond underwriting services as part of the PNC Public Finance Group. He is directly responsible for the development and structuring of bond financings for governments, agencies, and authorities located primarily in Pennsylvania. Payne joined PNC Bank in December of 2004 after 20 years of service with Citizens Bank. In addition to his BS in Business Administration from Misericordia in 1985, he holds an MBA from the University of Scranton and a Graduate Banking Degree from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Delaware. As a Misericordia undergraduate student, he was a member of the Alpha Kappa Delta fraternity.  

Payne’s affiliation with Misericordia University goes back to when he was a small child. His father, the late Professor David M. Payne, is revered for his 37-year career at Misericordia, named Professor Emeritus prior to his retirement, and subsequent passing in 2004. David and his four sisters are all Misericordia alumni: Allison Payne ’83; Ellen McLaughlin ‘86, Ed.D., OTR/L; Susan Payne Ferentino ’87; and Catherine Payne ’88. Dr. McLaughlin serves as a valued faculty member and director of the Occupational Therapy doctoral program. In 2006, David presented the Academic Convocation address and received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. His mother, Andrea, was presented with the inaugural Honorary Alumna Award in 2015, recognizing individuals who are not graduates of Misericordia University yet have made significant contributions toward its welfare, reputation or prestige and have shown lifelong devotion and demonstrated loyalty. 

The MU connection continues well into the next generation – two of the Payne siblings’ eight children are speech-language pathology graduates, including Brianna McLaughlin ’12 and David’s daughter, Sarah Payne Zapoticky ’18. David has served on the Board of Trustees since 2022, and is the current vice chair. 

For information on Mercy Transforms: The Next 100 Years, the Campaign for Misericordia University, please contact Todd Anthony Sloan, vice president of University Advancement, (570) 674-6368.