Alvernia University

27 Alvernia University students were honored at the inaugural Student Leadership Recognition award ceremony on Sunday, May 4 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading. The ceremony honors student leaders who have left their mark on the campus in addition to excelling in their studies at the university. "We often speak of our 'culture of care'-and it is not just a slogan. It is a calling for all of us. And today's honorees have answered that call," said Alvernia University President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. "They have done so by leading with love and humility, by fostering inclusive communities, and by putting others first. They have led in ways that mirror the core values of our Bernardine Franciscan tradition: service, contemplation, humility, peacemaking, and collegiality. I am so proud of each of them, and I am grateful to have walked this part of their journey." Honorees include students who mentor and guide peers as Golden Guides and Resident Assistants, serve with compassion through Holleran Corps and the Reading Youth Initiative, learn through experience as APEX participants and Alternative Break Leaders, model collaboration, advocacy, and voice through your work with the Student Government Association and those who teach and learn as peer tutors and peer mentors in ways that lift up the whole community. "We honored students who have gone above and beyond-not only excelling in their academics and co-curricular activities, but also living out the Franciscan values that are the heartbeat of Alvernia University," said Executive Director of Student Engagement and Leadership, Abby Swatchick, M.S.Ed. "To our student leaders: your passion, your resilience, and your unwavering commitment to leading with integrity and purpose inspire us all. You are shaping a brighter future for this university and for the communities you will one day serve. To the families, faculty, staff, and supporters-thank you. Your guidance and encouragement are what help these students grow into the leaders we need. As we move forward, may we all continue to lead with humility, serve with joy, and reflect often on how we can lift others. Congratulations once again-and thank you for being the leaders our world so deeply needs." Additional awards were given to Registered Student Organizations. The Community Service Project of the Year Award recognizes a student organization that has made a meaningful impact through service, demonstrating compassion, leadership, and a commitment to Alvernia's mission of serving others. Circle K received this award for its work with Hannah's Hope Ministries. The Registered Student Organization's Event of the Year Award recognizes an event that brought students together in a meaningful way and made a lasting impact on the Alvernia community and beyond. The Pre-Physical Therapy Organization earned this award for their Team FTK Dance-a-Thon which raised $11,379 for pediatric cancer-the highest amount raised by any FTK team in the country. The Pre-Physical Therapy Organization also earned the Registered Student Organization of the Year for their efforts.

In the Fall 2024 semester, Alvernia University Resident Assistants (RAs) successfully hosted 73 programs while balancing their academic pursuits, extracurricular commitments, and leadership responsibilities. These events reached 1,081 students, strengthening the campus community and providing meaningful engagement opportunities for residents. "I am incredibly proud of the dedication and creativity our RAs have shown this semester," said Associate Director of Residence Life, Logan Houptley. "Their commitment to fostering community within our residence halls is evident in the number of students they have engaged. Each program is a reflection of their hard work and dedication for making our residence halls feel like home." Programming efforts within Residence Life align with key student development outcomes, including a sense of belonging, health and wellness, cultural awareness, self-sufficiency, and academic success. Through intentional event planning, RAs play a vital role in providing a sense of belonging where students can learn and engage with one another in a positive way. The RAs came back in January for Spring training, which featured a new conference-style model that allowed them to focus on personal growth and skill development. "The choose-your-own conference-style sessions for this spring's RA training were very helpful," said Spencer Kneisley, and a first-year RA in Ehlerman Hall. "It gave us as RAs a chance to reflect and focus on what skill or knowledge we needed to be successful in our RA role this semester. I had the chance to attend the 'Re-Instilling the Values of the University' session, which helped us see the connections between the RA role and the core values of the University. It also showed how we can utilize those core values to guide us through our experiences as an RA." Beyond programming, the impact of the RA role extends far beyond event planning-it's about mentorship, support, and developing connection. "Being an RA has truly changed my life, helping me grow as a person while building meaningful relationships," said Francisco Sandoval, a second-year RA in Clare Hall. "The most rewarding part is guiding residents through their college journey and being a support system for them. It's an experience that has made a lasting impact on me." "As student affairs professionals, we know that learning also happens beyond the academic setting," said Associate Director Logan Houptley. "The work our RAs do directly contributes to student engagement and success, and it is rewarding to see the enthusiasm from both our RAs and the students they serve."

The Orientation Weekend Leaders (OWLs) for the 2024-2025 academic year brought the university's mission of 'knowledge joined with love' to life during New Student Orientation (NSO) and welcomed Alvernia's record-breaking incoming class with enthusiasm. From assisting with move-ins to leading a variety of engaging activities, the OWLs were dedicated to making sure new students felt embraced by the Alvernia community through service, leadership, and inclusion. "I really enjoyed being in OWL training this year because it gave me connections with professional staff members and the rest of my team so we can be successful in welcoming new students," said Car Johnson, Head OWL for August 2024. "The scavenger hunt for Orientation Day of Service stood out to me specifically because students could learn about campus resources in a fun format." OWLs are members of the Student Affairs para-professional staff selected based on leadership, character, and the ability to relate well with others. They facilitate the events of NSO, which support the academic and social transitions new students entering Alvernia University experience. During training, OWLS learn to articulate strategies that promote respectful and meaningful conversations in the Alvernia community and how to effectively promote campus resources for individual students' needs presented during NSO. Their vibrant leadership not only eased the transition for incoming students but also sparked a sense of belonging, setting the foundation for a transformative Alvernia experience. "Being an OWL is such a fun experience," said Hailey Rohrer, new OWL hire for August 2024. "I loved helping new students connect with one another and get familiar with campus. The day of move-in may be busy, but it always comes together smoothly for students to create a lot of new relationships and settle into campus life"

Alvernia University student Lucero Orozco of Reading, Pa., has been named a 2018 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact. A graduate of Reading High, Orozco is a junior Reading Collegiate Scholar at Alvernia, where she is studying healthcare science. She is the seventh Alvernia student to be named a Newman Civic Fellow since 2012.

22 students in Sue Guay's "Interpersonal Communication" course had work published in Berks County Living Magazine and BCTV.org this fall.

Peer Mentors are high-achieving, upper-division students who act as guides and additional resources for first year students, as they adjust to college life and academic expectations.

Top students have been named Peer Tutors at Alvernia University for 2017-18. Tutors are expected to have extensive knowledge of the subjects in which they specialize, and the ability to communicate that knowledge to peers.

Alvernia University students are serving as members of the Alvernian student newspaper staff for the fall of 2017:

2017 Mr. Alvernia winners include runners up: Eric Moran and Pete Reilly, and winner: Mike Tierney.

Mikaileigh Baker of Covington, Pa., has begun a new Post Graduate Year of Service project this fall at Alvernia University. Coordinated by the university's Holleran Center for Community and Global Engagement, Baker's project will focus on environmental education in the City of Reading.

Eight Alvernia students brought home several awards from the Pennsylvania Phi Beta Lambda 46th Annual State Leadership Conference in Harrisburg this spring.

Twenty Alvernia students will meet with Harrisburg lawmakers this April as part of AICUP's Student Aid Advocacy Day. The students will lobby for legislative support of private institutions in higher education.

Alvernia University student Ashley Tomlinson, of Mountville, Pa., has been named a 2017 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact for her work in service leadership.

Alvernia students, led by Communication Department Chair Beth DeMeo, are presenting roundtable discussions and original work at the 2017 Sigma Tau Delta International English Society Convention in Louisville, Ky.

Nine Alvernia students are attending the Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) Conference this spring. Additionally, two are presenting original SURF research at the event.

Several Alvernia University students traveled to Washington D.C., this January to prepare for the 45th U.S. Presidential Inauguration. Though a partnership with The Washington Center (TWC), the students are taking part in a two-week Inauguration 2017 Academic Seminar program that began Jan. 9 and culminates with the inauguration ceremony.

An all-student led planning team hosted a Search Retreat for peer students at Alvernia University this fall.

Students took part in an all-student Search Retreat at Alvernia University this fall.

Alvernia student wins award at the National Association for Campus Activities Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in October.

Alvernia University students are serving as members of the Alvernian student newspaper staff for the fall of 2016:

Several students in Sue Guay's "Writing for the Media" communication course had work published in Berks County Living Magazine this fall.

After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Alvernia University, Class of 2016 graduate Briana Pearson, Mount Bethel, Pa., has taken on a new role through the Holleran Center for Community Engagement's Post-Graduate Year of Service. Pearson will work with current Alvernia undergraduate education and science students to bring STEM education to local children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Alvernia students hosted an annual community social work conference on homelessness in April 2016.

Alvernia students, led by Communication Department Chair Beth DeMeo, presented papers, panels, and creative work at the 2016 Sigma Tau Delta International English Society Convention in Minneapolis, Minn.

Twenty-three students in Sue Guay's fall 2015 COM 213 "Interpersonal Communication" class earned bylines in the December issue of Berks County Living magazine.

Peer Mentors are high-achieving, upper-division students who act as guides and additional resources for first year students, as they adjust to college life and academic expectations.

Top students have been named Peer Tutors at Alvernia University for 2015-16. Tutors are expected to have extensive knowledge of the subjects they tutor and the ability to communicate that knowledge to peers.

Alvernia University students are serving as members of the Alvernian student newspaper staff for the 2015-2016 academic year:

These Alvernia students offer tours and guidance to high school students and their families.

An all-student led planning team hosted a Search Retreat for peer students at Alvernia University this March.