University of Scranton alumni Jacquelyn Dionne, R.N. ’89 and Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn, J.D., J.C.L. ’72 will receive honorary degrees at the undergraduate commencement ceremony May 18.  

Dionne, from Scranton, graduated from the Community Medical Center in 1986 and became a registered nurse. She then received her bachelor’s degree from The University of Scranton in 1989, according to a news release.

Dionne has earned certifications as an intensive care nurse at Mount Auburn, a Harvard University teaching hospital, and at the New Hampshire Heart Institute.  

Dionne took time off from her work to raise a family. Seven years ago, she returned to the medical care profession and is working as the health and wellness coordinator for Brookdale Senior Living in Wilton, Connecticut.  

She and her husband, John ’86, H’10, are the co-chairs of the largest capital campaign in the University's 137-year history, “A Fire That Kindles Other Fires: The Campaign To Advance Mission, Access and Excellence.” Dionne has led the campaign as well as others to raise funds to advance the mission of the university.  

Dionne and her husband both received the 2013 University Presidents Medal. The award recognizes individuals who have achieved excellence in their fields and who demonstrate compassion for other people. She and her husband were the driving force in creating the Kania School Business Leader Hall of Fame, and they have donated to two honors programs in the business school.  

The university named its green at the heart of campus in 2008 to honor Dionne and her husband.  

She has served on the University's Board of Trustees for 14 years. She has served as co-vice chair of the board, chaired the advancement committee, and has served on the executive committee and presidential and provost search committees. Dionne is active in charitable organizations and served as the vice president for the National Charity League, Westport Chapter, and the Horizons Organization in Bridgeport, Connecticut.  

Dionne and her husband live in Westport, Connecticut, and are the parents of current Scranton student Jonathan Dionne ’28, Scranton graduate Kristen Rajbanshi, and Courtney Fodero. They are also the grandparents of Giancarlo Fodero.  

Quinn, a priest who served in the Diocese of Scranton for more than 40 years, was named pastor emeritus of Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Clarks Summit after his retirement in 2024, according to a news release.

He received his bachelor's degree in accounting from the University in 1972. He then earned his Doctorate in Jurisprudence from Seton Hall University School of Law. When he was 25, he was appointed as a federal magistrate judge for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, making him the youngest person in the country to work in this position.  

He discerned his call to the priesthood and entered the seminary in 1981. He completed his studies at the North American College in Rome, where he was awarded graduate degrees in theology from both the Gregorian University and the Angelicum University.  

After his ordination, he was awarded dual degrees in cannon law from the University of Ottawa and St. Paul’s University in Ottawa, Canada.  

He has served in key pastoral and administrative roles and special assignments in the Diocese of Scranton. This includes 16 years as rector of St. Peter’s Cathedral. Quinn was the dean of the Scranton Central Deanery of the diocese, moderator of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal and chair of the diocese’s 150th Anniversary Committe. He also served on the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, was a member of both the Diocesan College of Consultors and the Diocesan Presbyterian Council and was chairman of the Diocesan Communicaitons Commission.  

He served as vice president for Mission and Ministry for six years at Fordham University in New York, as the first non-Jesuit to serve this role.

Quinn is active in the University community and was a member of the University’s Board of Trustees for 15 years. At the same time, he chaired the presidential search and enrolment management committees. He has been active in campus and alumni events and is the recipient of the Alumni Association's Frank O’Hara Award.

Quinn was awarded the University Presidents Medal in 2020, which recognizes his excellence in his field and his compassion for others.  

He has served as a member of the Board of Advisors of the North American College in Rome, as the founding chairman of the Scranton Preparatory Authority and the first president of Scranton Tomorrow.  

His work within the community has been recognized in many ways, including the Lackawanna Bar association President’s Award, the B’nai B’rith Americanism Award, the Lackawanna Bar Association Chief Justice Michael J. Eagan Casey Medal for a Lifetime of Service Award. He was also awarded an honorary degree from Marywood University.  

The university's undergraduate ceremony and the awarding of the honorary degrees to Dionne and Quinn will begin at 11 a.m. on May 18 at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre.  

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