Alvernia University

Four Alvernia University students, Logan Minford, Anthony Florkowski, Tyler Johnson, and Ivan Zhevnov, achieved 6th place in the Finance Case Competition at the Future Business Leaders of America, Inc. (FBLA) National Leadership Conference. "It's been a joy to support Alvernia University's FBLA collegiate competitors this week," said Michelle Conway, Phi Beta Lambda Advisor and Executive Director of Student and Client Services at the O'Pake Institute. "Their hard work, teamwork, and dedication stood out as they competed against over 25 finalists and placed at the national level." The Finance Case Competition provides FBLA members with the opportunity to review a case study and present their findings to a panel of judges. The case study incorporates many aspects of finance such as financial management, financial institutions, financial services, investments, etc. "Participating in FBLA was such a fulfilling experience," said Tyler Johnson. " It was an absolute honor to be presented with the awards given. We felt extremely proud of our Finance Case Competition and the work we put into it. Personally, I gained a brand new perspective on what leadership is and how I can inspire others. Many of the problems and questions presented to me through my competitions had a direct correlation to what I have been learning in class. So it was great to see that what I am learning can be applicable to the real world." In addition to the 6th place group win, Johnson earned 10th place in the Future Business Executive Presentation. This competitive event is where outstanding FBLA members who have demonstrated leadership qualities, participation in FBLA, and evidence of knowledge and skills essential for successful careers in business are recognized. It consists of pre-judged materials, objective test and presentation (interview) components. "My Future Business Executive Presentation was very challenging, but rewarding as well. There were many amazing candidates, so to be placed amongst the top ten of them was very gratifying," said Johnson.

Alvernia University celebrated more than 600 students in the Class of 2024 with a commencement ceremony at the Santander Arena in downtown Reading, Pa. on May 11, 2024 as a part of a revamped graduating student celebration weekend in front of family and friends. "This year's commencement carries a profound significance for each one of us," said Alvernia University President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. "Being together holds a special meaning for the over 400 students here who graduated high school in May 2020, when the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic deprived you of this pivotal milestone. I hope you've had the opportunity in recent weeks to honor this rite of passage. Rest assured, these cherished traditions that you helped create will be here ready to welcome you back to campus." Graduates earned associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees as the university celebrated an indoor commencement at Santander Arena for the first time since 2019. Beginning this year, the university restructured its graduating student event schedule to allow for more accessible travel for parents and other loved ones to participate in the various events, which included health science programs pinning ceremonies, a senior athlete award reception, an honors convocation and a baccalaureate mass. "The Class of 2024 has faced unparalleled challenges, navigating the turbulent waters of the COVID-19 pandemic with unwavering strength and resilience," said student speaker and youngest graduate Cora Cox. "Despite the upheaval it brought to our lives, we refused to be defined by adversity. Instead, we rose to the occasion, demonstrating extraordinary adaptability and perseverance in the face of uncertainty. The world eagerly awaits your brilliance, your passion, and your boundless potential. Go forth and make your mark on the world, knowing that you carry with you the values of Alvernia and the spirit of service, compassion, and humility." Longtime public service executive and global engagement leader George S. Rice, Jr. '85 was presented with an honorary degree of humane letters and shared his experiences through the concepts of language and space to inspire the Class of 2024. "The imprint you make will set the tone for those who come after you," said Rice. "They'll need your vision. My generation and every generation are represented in this room we need your vision. What you're taking away today from Alvernia isn't a rote vision to implement. Rather, it's the capacity to take in all that you experience in order to shape a vision. To use language and intent to nurture that vision. To make that vision the space in which we live. The space where we can all thrive." As the ceremony concluded, a scrolling list of names of every graduate, appeared on the newly installed video boards at the arena and Santander Arena, and confetti cannons showered the graduates in maroon and gold confetti. Alvernia University Class of 2024 By the Numbers: 606 total graduates 503 Pennsylvania Residents 260 Berks County Residents 2,900 miles is the farthest distance traveled for students within the U.S. to attend Alvernia University 130 are first-generation college graduates 18 is the age of the youngest graduate 62 is the age of the oldest graduate 11 graduates are military veterans 8 countries represented by graduating students See the commencement stories, photos and videos by CLICKING HERE.

A total of 255 Alvernia winter and spring student-athletes were named to the MAC Academic Honor Roll, and an additional 46 athletes on non-MAC competing teams earned spots on the honor roll as announced by the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) on Wednesday. 120 Winter student-athletes, 135 Spring student-athletes, as well as 46 athletes from Women's Equestrian, Women's Bowling, Esports and Spirit earned a 3.20 GPA to earn MAC Academic Honor Roll honors. A total of 49 student-athletes earned a 4.00 semester GPA in the spring semester. 18 Men's and Women's Ice Hockey players were also named to the UCHC All-Academic Team. Julia Beaven, Alex Robertson and Amber Steinhilpert all became five time UCHC All-Academic honorees and Lexi Hooper, Shae Hudec and Jasmine Hughes all became four time honorees. Three Women's Bowlers earned National Tenpin Coaches Association honors as well, which is awarded to student-athletes who earned a 3.40 GPA during the academic year. Across the MAC, a total of 3,701 student-athletes were named to the 2023-2024 MAC Academic Honor Roll. The total number of Alvernia's honorees per sports are below, as is a complete breakdown of all student-athletes with at least a 3.20 semester GPA. An asterisk next to the student-athlete's name indicates a 4.00 semester GPA. A ^ indicates UCHC honors and National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA). Winter Sports Men's Basketball 11 Men's Indoor Track and Field 16 Men's NCAA Ice Hockey 19 Men's Wrestling 20 Women's Basketball 12 Women's Ice Hockey 18 Women's Indoor Track and Field18 Women's Wrestling 6 Spring Sports Baseball 30 Men's Golf 6 Men's Lacrosse 12 Men's Outdoor Track and Field 14 Men's Tennis 6 Softball 19 Women's Golf 5 Women's Lacrosse 16 Women's Outdoor Track and Field 19 Women's Tennis 8 Non-MAC Sports Bowling 3 Equestrian 6 Esports 24 Spirit 13

Alvernia University students in the O'Pake Fellows Program completed an intellectual property (IP) training series centered around patents, licensing, contracts, and the art of protecting creativity through O'Pake's Technology Transfer Office (TTO). "I have learned many nuances in this series such as smart processes that involve creating contracts related to licensing and patents," said Robert Philpot. "It has given me an important addition of skills that will help me in the field of engineering if I have an idea that I want to pursue. Furthermore, networking with these professional speakers has given me a contact in the IP field. Through this experience, students were trained to assist companies and entrepreneurs through the process of making the proper advancements regarding patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and copyright as members of the student-powered IP committee. Furthermore, they were able to apply this knowledge directly to their course curriculum, ultimately enriching their experiential learning. "I have gained another level of knowledge that has helped me excel in a lot of my classes because I understand the legal side of the engineering process in regard to patent work and what exactly goes into a Patent and how to file for one," said Evan Thomas. "I've also received a whole new view on engineering because instead of just understanding the prototyping and testing phase, I now understand how to claim whatever I prototype or test as my own through IP." In addition, students were able to learn from and engage with industry professionals, including Chuck Valauskas, an IP lawyer based in Chicago; John Zurawski, a partner at the Belles Group, P.C.; and Kattina Barsik, owner of Barsik Law Offices, specializing in intellectual property law across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The IP committee also played an integral role in the planning and execution of the series. "I was a part of determining what general topics we should dive into for the training and helping assess which speakers would be best for the different topics," said Blake Rutcosky. "It has been beneficial in expanding my knowledge on licensing intellectual properties as well as refreshing me and fleshing out some of the intricacies of the processes in obtaining various protections." The O'Pake Fellows Program provides elite undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on experiential learning opportunities. Students of high academic standing from diverse majors and backgrounds can work directly with regional entrepreneurs, small business owners, faculty researchers, and industry leaders, can work directly with regional entrepreneurs, small business owners, faculty researchers and industry leaders. Within this dynamic environment, fellows not only develop personally and professionally but also have the freedom to innovate, experiment, learn from failure, and ultimately thrive. By fostering such an environment, the program enables students to seamlessly transition into their chosen careers as creative and ethical leaders.

Alvernia business students tested their professional sales skills by participating in one of the top sales competitions in the country, the National Shore Sales Competition (NSSC) at Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD. Student competitors from universities across the country compete in a role-play and speed-selling competition across this two-day event. sponsored by Perdue Chicken. "My experience with the Perdue Chicken was amazing," said senior Dan Schweitzer. "From meeting all the great people to the amazing challenge of competing; It was an experience of a lifetime." Preparation was integral to this experiential learning opportunity. The students worked for three months preparing for the Introduction to Sales class taught by Assistant Professor of Business Jane Brooker, Ph.D., MBA. Caden DeSiato and Dan Schweitzer participated in the role-play competition. Isaac Kassis, Nick King, Ramcy QuiQui, and Brandon Flores competed in the Speed sell competition, sharing a 90-second elevator pitch to six companies. One senior even secured a solid job offer. "I am extremely proud of my six Alvernia sales students, committed to excellence and dedication," said Brooker. "After the initial disappointment of not moving on to the second round, Caden DeSiato and Dan Schweitzer still regrouped and placed third in the wild-card round. The entire experience was invaluable and experiential learning at its finest."

Alvernia University Women's Track and Field senior Shinelle Felix capped off her 2024 NCAA Division III National Championship showing with a third-place finish in the triple jump on Saturday night at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. After one jumper got one attempt in on an hour-delayed start, the triple jump was again delayed - this time for three hours - as storms rolled through the Myrtle Beach area. Felix, who entered as the 19th seed, secured a third-place finish with her six best jumps of the outdoor season. Felix got started in the first flight of the triple jump and posted her best jump of the flight in her second attempt with a mark of 12.11m. That mark was a season-best at the time for Felix, and was good enough to secure a spot in the finals after the second flight concluded. Felix was in sixth place overall heading into the finals, but began to move her way up the leaderboard. Felix posted a 12.31 on her first attempt in the finals and followed that with a 12.44m attempt. She then hit a 12.60m on her final attempt for a new outdoor personal record, a new MAC record, the 10th best DIII jump all time, and to move into second place overall at the Championship. At the time, Felix was only behind defending indoor and outdoor national champion Victoria Kadiri of Johns Hopkins University. Rainah Dunham of Ursinus then overtook both Kadiri and Felix with a mark of 12.75m as she bumped Felix down to third place and Kadiri into second. Kadiri then closed out the tight competition with the final attempt of the evening. She broke the 13 meter threshold with a mark of 13.04m to move back into first place and defend her title. Kadiri, Dunham, Felix, and fourth place finisher Aurielle Brunner of Chatham each recorded their top marks of the event on their final attempts. Felix caps off her career as a four time first team All-American, a national runner-up, and a two-time third place finisher. She is a six-time national qualifier and a 15 time All-MAC honoree.

Four students in the video production class placed in the 2023 Reading FilmFEST's student film competition hosted by Netflix series "Julie and the Phantoms" star Maddison Reyes at the IMAX Theatre in Entertainment Square in Downtown Reading, Pa. The event was held to raise awareness about violence and the opioid crisis while providing students in the Greater Reading Area with a creative way to share stories on social media. "The Reading Film Festival was a wonderful opportunity for the students to share their video production skills," said Professor and Department Chair of Communication and Digital Media Jodi Radosh, Ph.D. "It also gave them a chance to meet professional filmmakers and students from other universities interested in film. Furthermore, several Alvernia students volunteered at the event as well. Alvernia values its partnership with the Reading Film Festival and believes it is an excellent experiential learning experience." Over 100 students submitted their work, saw their creations on the big screen, met Reyes, and connected with fellow filmmakers. The event was chaperoned by Radosh alongside Professor of Communication and Reading FilmFEST Board Member Caroline Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor of Communication Kris Lowrey, Ph.D.

In alignment with Alvernia University's core value of service, engineering students and O'Pake Fellows, Robert Philpot, Kayla Moriarty, Gabriel Malek, and Jack Badalamenti designed, built and donated a birdhouse inspired by campus landmark, Francis Hall, for Habitat for Humanity of Berks County's largest charity event of the year. "I definitely learned a lot of hands-on skills throughout the process of actually building the birdhouse," said Gabriel Malek. "All of the craftsmanship that went into working with the wood and paint helped improve my own abilities for future endeavors. I also furthered my team-oriented work skills, staying communicative with the group to ensure we completed everything and delegating the work to optimize the process." The Francis Hall birdhouse, alongside over 30 other birdhouses donated by community members in the Berks County area, was auctioned off to support the nonprofit. Alvernia Trustee Ginger Kunkel, president at Tompkins Financial Corporation, bid on the Francis Hall birdhouse and won. "The enthusiasm displayed by the Alvernia students for replicating a beloved symbol of their school was inspiring, as was their determination to construct a work of art unique enough to raise meaningful dollars to really help the Habitat mission," said Kunkel. "The love and respect these students showed for each other, their school and their community made it an easy decision to bid. I loved seeing their overjoyed response to the contribution their work made possible." Kunkel reflected that after spending time on campus interacting with the Alvernia leadership, faculty, students and alumni and the Bernadine Sisters since she was appointed to the board last year, the campus community's strong support system was evident. With that in mind, she made the decision to donate the birdhouse and take it "back home" on campus to inspire current and future Alvernia faculty, staff, and students. "My favorite part of the project was witnessing the birdhouse being auctioned off and tying for first on the highest amount for the price in which it was auctioned," said Kayla Moriarity. The O'Pake Fellows Program provides high-achieving undergraduate and graduate students at Alvernia University with the ability to work hands-on with entrepreneurs, small businesses, regional partners, and faculty through the SPARK Business Incubator. The highly qualified students who enter the program are provided with numerous hours of professional training and mentoring to prepare them to work with our clients. Once trained, they are partnered with specific clients to provide services that match their expertise. The students receive experiential learning opportunities from their work, learn from faculty and subject matter mentors, and deliver quality services to clients.

Alvernia University Baseball placed three student-athletes on the 2024 ABCA/Rawlings Division III All-Region team for their respective performances during the 2024 season, as announced by the American Baseball Coaches Association. Senior Mike Ramundo was named the Player of the Year for Region Five, and also earned First Team All-Region honors as a second baseman. Ramundo is only the second player in program history to earn Regional Player of the Year honors. He joins Ben Sawyer, who was named ABCA Regional Player of the Year in 2015. Jason Kelly, a senior, and Nick Ferraioli, a sophomore, also earned ABCA All-Region honors. Kelly was named First Team All-Region as a designated hitter, and Ferriaoli earned Second Team All-Region as a pitcher. Ramundo, who earned First Team All-MAC Commonwealth and Second Team D3Baseball All-Region, led the MAC Commonwealth in five statistical categories. Ramundo led the conference with a .447 batting average, 80 hits, 22 doubles, and six triples. He also had a conference leading .505 OBP and was fourth in the conference with a .654 slug percentage. Ramundo also finished the year with 38 RBIs, 53 runs scored, 14 walks, and nine hit by pitches. In the field, Ramundo had 107 putouts and 75 assists with a .963 fielding percentage. This is Ramundo's first ABCA All-Region honor. Kelly, who earned First Team All-MAC Commonwealth honors and Second Team D3Baseball All-Region honors, earned First Team All-Region honors from the ABCA as a designated hitter. Kelly finished the year with a team-high 46 RBIs. He played in all 47 games for Alvernia and finished the season with a .371 batting average and a .483 slug percentage. He finished the season with 56 hits - including 11 doubles and two home runs - and 34 runs scored. He also reached base on 25 walks and ten hit by pitches. Kelly also went 3-1 on the mound this season with a 3.26 ERA over nearly 50 innings pitched. He picked up the win in complete game fashion to seal Alvernia's MAC Commonwealth Championship title. This is Kelly's first ABCA All-Region honor. Ferraioli, who earned First Team All-MAC Commonwealth and Third Team D3Baseball All-Region honors, earned Second Team All-Region honors from the ABCA as a starting pitcher. Ferraioli posted the third best ERA in the MAC Commonwealth with a 2.96 ERA over 76 innings pitched. He finished the season with an 8-0 record in 14 starts and had 60 strikeouts on the season. He recorded a 1.42 WHIP and a .262 opponent batting average. He allowed just 25 earned runs on the year and averaged just over one hit allowed per inning. This is Ferraioli's first ABCA All-Region honor. Alvernia finished the season with a 29-18 overall record, and were 15-6 in conference play. The Golden Wolves defeated Messiah to win the MAC Commonwealth title and earn an automatic qualification to the Cleveland Regional. Alvernia went 1-2 at the regional with a win over Ithaca to eliminate the Bombers.

The Office of Residence Life hosted its annual Resident Assistant (RA) Banquet on May 5, 2024, in Francis Hall. "I am very proud of the efforts of everyone who made this event, and this year, possible. It was a special night to not only reflect on the memories and relationships that we have with one another, but also to honor some pretty amazing student leaders," said Associate Director of Residence Life, Logan Houptley, M.S. The banquet, hosted by the RA Recognition Committee, had raffle prizes, catered food, and plenty of decorations that matched the theme, the Wild West. 38 RAs were invited to participate in the banquet. The professional staff announced the 2023-2024 winners of the RA of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards. "Being an RA is critically important to the success of our residential experience here at Alvernia University," said Houptley. "Being an RA means that you are a community leader, a friend, a classmate, a colleague, a mentor, an advisor, a facilitator, a shoulder to cry on - the list goes on. RAs are what make living on campus such a special experience for many. Everyone always remembers their RA and the positive impact they have on making Alvernia feel like home." The winner of RA of the Year is Wilma Taveras, who has been an RA for 2 academic years: first in Clare Hall, this year in Zygmunta Hall. Next year, Taveras will be an RA in Ehlerman Hall. "I appreciate receiving this award because it shows me that the work I put into trying to make a positive impact among residents through addressing their needs, supporting them in any way they need, and creating an atmosphere where they feel they can thrive doesn't go unnoticed. This award reminds me of my "why" I do this job," said Taveras. "My favorite part about being an RA is seeing residents' progression through college and playing a part in their journey. It's incredible to see how much residents have grown into their own selves within the time I have known them. It is beyond rewarding to see the connections I have formed within ResLife, but especially with residents. I know I wouldn't have the skills and confidence I do now if it hadn't been for the residents I have interacted with and gotten to know." Taveras' direct supervisor, Area Coordinator Kylie Dillon, M.A., said the following of her performance: "Over the last academic year, Wilma has grown as a person, and as an RA. She has done an incredible job of participating and is always dependable. She communicates well both with her peers and professional staff. Especially this semester, with an academic schedule she knew would be incredibly busy, each of her programs was preplanned before the first day of classes even began. Her dedication to the role and ability to balance her personal life, academic schedule, and RA responsibilities makes me super honored and proud to honor Wilma as RA of the year." The winner of Rookie of the Year is Julia Lawson, who was an RA in Clare Hall this past academic year. Next year, Julia will be an RA in Holleran Hall. "Being the recipient of the Rookie of the Year Award has been the highest honor this year because I put my heart into being an RA," said Lawson. "It is rewarding to know that all my hard work was recognized and appreciated by the professional staff and encourages me to continue my work as an RA in my final two years at Alvernia. An important skill I discovered that I can take with me throughout my career was being able to help first year students overcome struggles of college life on campus and to help them successfully navigate throughout their first year at Alvernia. And of course, getting to know my residents throughout the year has also been a favorite part. Some of them really made my first year amazing and they made my life as an RA so much easier, so shout out to them." Lawson's direct supervisor, Area Coordinator, Jason Patrick Lee, MBA, said the following of her performance: "As a first-year RA, Julia Lawson carried herself like a seasoned veteran, demonstrating a strong internal foundation that pointed to her maturity and desire to be successful in her role. She made herself available for coaching from Residence Life's professional and student staff as well as offered mentorship to other RAs. She shined the brightest when she was hard at work meeting the varying needs of her freshmen residents. Her residents frequently spoke very highly of her, and the impact that she made on Clare Hall this year was, to me, such a joy, privilege, and honor to watch and encourage."

21 O'Pake Fellows graduated as members of Alvernia University's Class of 2024 and presented their final reflections regarding the experiential learning opportunities and professional development gleaned from the O'Pake Fellows Program. The O'Pake Fellows Program provides undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on distinctive experiential learning opportunities. Students of high academic standing from diverse majors and backgrounds work directly with regional entrepreneurs, small business owners, faculty researchers, and industry leaders. In alignment with Alvernia's core value of contemplation, O'Pake Graduate Assistant of Student Services Brianna Schnieder took the lead on facilitating the final reflection project with the guidance of Executive Director of Student & Client Services Michelle Conway, MBA, and Student Experiential Learning Specialist Max Horn, MBA. "We often describe the fellow experience as a metamorphosis; this project aims to bring their experience full circle as fellows transition from one stage to the next," said Schneider. "We hope they can recognize their impact on the community around them while also celebrating their own achievements such as the skills and knowledge they leave the program with. Moving forward, this comprehensive project will help fellows track their impact on the businesses they work with since they might work with up to 40 businesses if they start as first-year students in the program." Graduating Fellows were able to present highlights and deliverables from their experience, including work they have done for local business owners in and beyond Berks and Schuylkill counties, the training they have engaged in, connections they have made through networking and skills they have built along the way for the resume. "Being a part of the O'Pake Institute has shaped my professional career immensely," said Graduate Assistant of Community Based Campuses, Jack Cossa '23 MBA '24 when reflecting on his experience working with small businesses surrounding Alvernia's Pottsville CollegeTowne. "I have had amazing opportunities throughout my time at O'Pake to be a part of high-level projects helping clients achieve their goals to elevate their business. Without O'Pake, I would not be the young, aspiring professional that I am. The experiential learning you receive through O'Pake is the first class that I would recommend to any professional looking to enhance their professional experience." The O'Pake Fellows program encourages students to engage in applied research activity, scholarly travel, and other personal and professional training activities to enhance their experience.Undergraduate Fellows can work with up to 3-5 clients a semester and are exposed to projects that fulfill various needs businesses in the community. "Through the various clients I've worked with, I've loved being able to learn about and collaborate with different kinds of personalities, businesses, and passions. It has allowed me to take note of the various challenges and approaches that exist in the media/marketing space, and the importance of being strategic and adaptable." After spending two years working with O'Pake, Maldonado also shares that incoming freshman to the O'Pake Institute should "always be open to new opportunities and challenges, as they will help you grow both personally and professionally."

Over 750 students were named to Alvernia University's Dean's List for the Spring 2024 semester. "Congratulations to all the outstanding students who have been named to Alvernia University's Dean's List," said Senior Vice President and Provost, Leamor Kahanov, Ed.D. "Your dedication, hard work, and commitment to academic excellence have earned you this prestigious recognition. We are incredibly proud of your achievements and look forward to seeing your continued success. Keep striving for greatness." To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must carry a semester GPA of 3.5 or better and take a minimum of 12 credits. A full list of students is available at Alvernia.edu.

Students in the Social Work Social Policy class, taught by Professor Lelinna Hinh, took a day trip to Harrisburg, Pa. for the National Association of Social Work (NASW) Legislation, Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD). By participating in the NASW LEAD, students engaged in experiential learning and gained actionable insights about how social work and policy advocacy intersect. "I wanted to make sure my students attended this event to provide them with a firsthand understanding of the policy-making process and its impact on the communities they will serve in the future," said Hinh. "Experiencing this process in person offers insights into how policy directly influences their work and everyday lives. Taking them on this trip was essential in broadening their comprehension of the legislative world." This experience helped prepare social work students to navigate the complexities of policymaking and serve as advocates for their industry. Hinh brought students to the capital to talk to state representatives and senators about policies that affect the industry and the importance of social workers and the work they do in their communities. During the visit, the class met with State Representative Manuel Guzman and Senator Judy Schwank's Legislation Coordinator, Tess Hoffertt. Guzman gave students a tour of the house floor and capital building while discussing the importance of The Social Work Licensure Compact initiative. Hoffertt answered questions about the day-to-day life working in state government and Senator Schwnak's role and responsibilities.

Over 40 students joined the Pickleball Club in its debut semester. The club allows members to participate in weekly practices, monthly tournaments, and volunteer opportunities. It began after President Jack Natalino and Vice President Quincy Esannason took a physical education pickleball course. They found their passion for the sport through the class and felt it could become a permanent opportunity for students to exercise and socialize in a stress-free environment. "It's really good for stress for me because I'm a DPT major. I'm constantly doing homework and studying, so it's great to get out and just get some exercise and have some fun," said Natalino. "It's a great platform to meet new people and form good friendships. I thought it would be some small thing, maybe like a couple of my friends, but I've met at least 20 to 30 people through the Pickleball Club. Everyone's very nice to each other; I just see a bunch of smiles." What began as an idea between friends has developed into a thriving pickleball community. The club was awarded the Registered Student Organization of the Year by the Student Government Association for being one of the most popular and active clubs on campus. "It was so cool to see how pickleball got so many people together; I have never seen so many students show up to a club-organized event," said Greta Bender. "Being a part of this club, I get to support my best friend Jack and I get to have fun playing with my closest friends." In addition to providing a fun atmosphere for students to become active and meet new people, the club is also committed to giving back to the community. Their most recent service efforts involved collaborating with the IM ABLE Foundation, which provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in physical activity. The club was able to set up pickleball nets at IM ABLE's 2024 Bash event and teach and play pickleball with participants. "I had not had the opportunity to have a lot of community service in high school, so it was a new experience for me, and I loved it," said Natalino. "We made sure everybody had everything they needed, we played some games with the kids... They were having fun; it was great to see." The last tournament of the year on May 2nd wrapped up the club's successful first semester. The club leaders plan to build upon its success in the following school year with practices, monthly tournaments with prizes, finding more service opportunities and giving back to the community.

Ten Alvernia University spring student-athletes were named to the MAC Spring All-Sportsmanship Team, as announced by the Middle Atlantic Conference on Thursday. The MAC All-Sportsmanship Teams recognize student-athletes like who exemplify great character and display exceptional sportsmanship both on and off the field. They represent their team, institution and the conference with high integrity, and exhibit respect for themselves, teammates, coaches and opponents. They are humble and hold themselves with pride, competing at the same level of intensity no matter who the competition is, or outcome of the contest. These student-athletes were selected by the head coaches and student-athletes from their respective teams. Alvernia's ten student-athletes are listed below, and the full MAC Spring All-Sportsmanship team can be found here. Cameron Abele - Baseball Matthew Gagliardi - Men's Golf Autumn Wolf - Women's Golf Kyle Patton - Men's Lacrosse Sophia Ruocco - Women's Lacrosse Younes Naimi - Men's Outdoor Track and Field Elizabeth Kollock - Women's Outdoor Track and Field Emily Sano - Softball Jayden Lewis - Men's Tennis Leah Bouchard - Women's Tennis

103 Alvernia University students received academic, service and experiential learning excellence awards at the 2024 Honors Convocation Award Ceremony. The awards were presented by Senior Vice President and Provost, Leamor Kahanov, Ed.D. as well as faculty and staff representatives from the College of Business, Communication and Leadership; the College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences; the College of Health Sciences; the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics; and the University. "Each of you is valued for your unique talents, and your contributions to our community are what makes it so unique. Your success was no easy accomplishment, and we can certainly appreciate the balancing act," said Alvernia University President, Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. "From your lectures in the classroom, experiments in the labs and research and study groups in the libraries to your experiential learning experiences through service-learning, clinicals and internships, there is no doubt that your plates were full. But most of you also balanced your busy lives outside of work, from athletics, clubs, and service work, to holding a part-time or full-time job and even raising a family. It is this mix that makes all of your achievements that much more extraordinary."

14 Students were recognized at the Alvernia University Holleran Center for Community and Global Engagement's Franciscan Servant Leadership Commissioning ceremony for outstanding service accomplishments. To be presented with this honor, students completed over 100 hours of service during their time at Alvernia. "You all have worked so hard to earn this achievement," said Senior Director, Holleran Center for Community & Global Engagement Alyssa Slade. "Collectively, those of you sitting in this room have served over 4,000 hours of service to our local and global communities. This is something to be very proud of. Our hope is that this service journey provided you with a well-rounded experience, allowing you to discover new passions along the way." Students recognized were committed to being a Franscian Servant Leader while at Alvernia. During their service journey, students' time and efforts were devoted to addressing various community needs, improving sustainability, supporting vulnerable populations, enrolling in service-learning courses, traveling for mission trips and alternative breaks, and participating in the Holleran Center's university-wide service days. The dedication exhibited by fellow students highlights the impact of promoting positive change and fosters a culture of community engagement. "Throughout my five years at Alvernia, I have loved participating in different service trips and events," said Fifth-Year Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Student Kyra Connolly. "I found it so rewarding to help and serve others in need. Throughout my service, I have met so many wonderful people and have had amazing opportunities that I will never forget. Volunteering and completing these service events have been top highlights during my college career and I am so grateful for the experiences and memories I have made."

The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) announced its 2024 NCAA Division III Scholar All-American awards, and eight Alvernia University Men's Wrestling student-athletes who earned individual 2024 NCAA Division III Scholar All-American honors from The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-American awards. In order to qualify for NWCA Scholar All-American honors, wrestlers must have a 3.20 cumulative GPA and be either a regional place winner or win 66% of their competitions with a 15 match minimum. Garrett Gehr, Gavin Hollingsworth, Isaac Kassis, Matthew Lackman, Avery Leonard, Mauro Pellot-Vazquez, Keito Shaw and Aidan Swann earned the honor this year for Alvernia. This is the first NWCA honor for Gehr, Hollingsworth, Kassic, Lackman, Pellot-Vazquez, Shaw, and Swann. This is Leonard's second NWCA Scholar All-American honor. He was also a Scholar All-American last season. A total of 418 wrestlers from 100 Division III institutions earned NWCA All-American honors for the 2023-2024 season.

Over 60 students were honored for their leadership in registered student organizations (RSO) as part of the 2023-2024 Student Government Association (SGA) Awards & Induction ceremony. "As student leaders you play a pivotal role in shaping the culture of care that makes Alvernia special," said Alvernia President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, P.hD. "Your passion, dedication, and innovative spirit create a welcoming and thriving campus environment where every student can grow, learn, and succeed. Your leadership not only enhances the student experience but also fosters a sense of belonging and community that extends far beyond the confines of our campus." In addition to student leaders being recognized, faculty & staff advisors were honored, and the SGA awards for RSOs were announced. RSO of the Year was the Pickleball Club, Event of the Year was the Interfaith Walk, and Community Service of the Year was the Circle K Paracord Lanyard Project. "Pickleball Club was recognized for RSO of the year based on student input that emphasized that Pickleball Club is one of the most popular and active clubs on campus," said Campus Activities Board President Aleksandra Kolesnikova. "This club is known for offering a stress-free and inclusive environment to socialize, exercise, and keep students involved on campus by making connections with other students." Individual awards were also acknowledged for Senator of the Year and President of the Year. Sophomore Senator Logan Minford was awarded the Senator of the Year recognition, and Pura Vida President Yessica Abreu Robinson received the President of the Year award. "Yessica Abreu Robinson was recognized for President of the Year based on student input that emphasized that Yessica has a creative mind, goes out of her way for the members of her club, and brings events to this campus," said SGA President Sara Baker. "Events brought to the Alvernia community have been able to provide an opportunity for all to engage in many traditions and cross-cultural experiences."

Over 60 Alvernia students presented their research at the Higher Education Council of Berks County (HECBC) Undergraduate Research and Creativity Conference hosted at Albright College. "Our students had stellar research presentations at the HECBC conference and I am grateful that I got to attend and listen to their presentations and passion for their subject matter," said Senior Vice President and Provost, Leamor Kahanov, Ed.D. "Research is a transformational part of the student experience and it is exciting to see students across all majors embracing the many research opportunities facilitated by our dedicated faculty members at Alvernia." HECBC includes all five institutions of higher learning in Berks County: Alvernia University, Albright College, Kutztown University, Penn State Berks and Reading Area Community College. The annual HECBC Undergraduate Research and Creativity Conference allows students to share their research and creativity with each other and the community. The conference is open to any undergraduate student seeking an opportunity to share their expertise with other scholars. "I thought the HECBC conference was a great experience," said occupational therapy major Marissa James. "After working hard on my research all year, it was very rewarding to be able to have conversations with people who were interested in learning more. Hearing different thoughts on my topic helped me broaden my perspective on different ways it can be beneficial to others. Completing this type of research project taught me the importance of group collaboration as well as how information learned in school can be applied to the community to make a difference." The conference allowed students to experience an environment where they gained insights and formed connections in a professional setting. By working alongside a faculty mentor, students used critical thinking skills, gathered data, and formed evidence-based conclusions to build their research projects. "My partner, Matthew Knowles, and I had a fantastic opportunity to showcase our most recent robotic project at Albright College," said engineering major Hao Ha. "We were very thankful to receive a lot of feedback, learn and share our work with others and the community who participated as well as make new connections with other presenters and learn about their unique projects. Special thanks to my mentors, Dr. Salem Elsaiah and Dr. Joseph Mahoney for introducing and sponsoring us for this experiment. Lastly, we are very grateful for this opportunity to present as Alvernia University's first Electrical Engineering cohort."

Four Alvernia University women's basketball student-athletes earned CSC Academic All-District Honors, as announced by College Sports Communicators. The 2023-24 Academic All-District Women's Basketball Team, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. In order to qualify for the award, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and have at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA. They must have also played in at least 90% of their team's games or must have started in at least 66 percent of the team's games. Alvernia's honorees for women's basketball are Jordan Karmonick, Taliyah Malone, Madison Miskar, and Kayla Williams. Because of her combined GPA and athletic accomplishments, Karmonick has been deemed eligible for consideration for Academic All-America honors. This is the second CSC Academic All-District honor for Karmonick, Malone, and Williams. This is the first CSC Academic All-District honor for Miskar.

Alvernia University graduate student Julia Beaven, a member of the Alvernia Women's Ice Hockey team, was named the Women's Ice Hockey Senior Scholar-Athlete for the 2023-24 season, as announced by Middle Atlantic Conference Executive Director Megan Morrison on Friday. The MAC Senior Scholar-Athlete award is presented to one senior student-athlete from each of the MAC's nine winter sports. This award is one of the MAC's most prestigious honors and is presented to a student-athlete for their strong academic and athletic prowess. Beaven is the 19th Alvernia student-athlete to earn MAC Senior Scholar-Athlete honors. She is the second overall, and second straight, Alvernia women's ice hockey student-athlete to earn the honor. Beaven joins Olivia Gilida, who was named the MAC Women's Ice Hockey Senior Scholar-Athlete for the 2022-23 season. Beaven is currently completing her Masters in Business Administration and is carrying a 4.00 GPA through her third semester. She earned her undergraduate degree in accounting from Alvernia last year, and completed her degree with a 3.95 cumulative GPA. Beaven is a three time Academic All-MAC honoree and has been named to the MAC Academic Honor Roll three times. She is on pace to earn her fourth of each honor later this semester. Beaven has been a force at goalie for Alvernia since joining the Golden Wolves for their inaugural season in 2019-20. Beaven was a four time All-MAC honoree. She earned First Team All-MAC in 2022 and 2023, and was a Second Team All-MAC honoree in 2021 and 2024. Beaven was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023. Beaven graduates from the women's ice hockey program with records that will stand for years to come. She finishes with 2,806 career saves over 90 career games played, 18 career shutouts, 36 wins, and seven ties. Through her career, Beaven amassed a .936 save percentage and a 2.24 goals against average. Beaven's 2,806 career saves through the end of this past season has her atop the leaderboard as the NCAA Division III active career save leader. She is ranked fifth across both NCAA Division 1 and Division 3. Beaven helped lead Alvernia to two MAC Championships in 2023 and 2024. Alvernia also made postseason appearances in four of Beaven's five seasons. Beaven will be honored along with her fellow 2023-24 MAC Senior Scholar-Athletes at the annual MAC Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, May 7th at Stevens Institute of Technology.

Seven Alvernia University Winter Student-Athletes were named to the MAC Winter All-Sportsmanship Team, as announced by the Middle Atlantic Conference.

Business, political science, communication, and digital media marketing students traveled to New York City to meet with successful alumni and immerse themselves in experiential learning opportunities aligned with their field of study. "As a student, it may be hard sometimes to get guidance and wisdom from the workplace, and this trip allowed me to gain exactly that," said finance major Andrew Deschenes. "We talked to employees from top firms like Deloitte and SCOR while visiting corporate offices. As this trip was very valuable for personal work-related experience, it was also a ton of fun with visiting key landmarks and much more."

The Psychology Club traveled to Philadelphia to gain professional exposure and engage with the latest research in psychology at the Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) conference. "When students attend professional conferences, they have the opportunity to explore new areas of Psychology and participate in the creation of new knowledge in the field," said Associate Professor of Psychology and Counseling Erin Way, Ph.D. "They are also able to experience themselves as the professionals they are becoming in the field."

Students of the Pura Vida Club, in partnership with the nonprofit organization Letters of Love, gathered to make handcrafted letters for sick children battling cancer and terminal illnesses. Letters of Love is dedicated to brightening the lives of children going through hardship by sending letters filled with support and encouragement. "Through the cards, we hope that each child who receives a card knows that they are loved, supported, and never alone," said Pura Vida Vice President Jonny Division Martinez. "We want to show that we can change the world with small acts of kindness."

In January, Master of Athletic Training (MSAT) students attended the annual Eastern Athletic Trainers Association (EATA) Conference in Connecticut to interact and immerse themselves in the world of athletic training. The conference provides firsthand exposure to the dynamic field of athletic training to athletic trainers and students across the Northeast. "At this conference, the students were exposed to a variety of presentations, workshops, and networking events with other athletic trainers and athletic training students," said Assistant Professor of Athletic Training & Coordinator of Clinical Education, Ashley Grey, DAT, LAT, ATC. "Our Alvernia students not only presented their case study research posters but also participated in the Student Quiz Bowl! One of our students, Ashley Anders, was awarded a scholarship by the district, which was based off her academic accomplishments and service to the profession."

In the Fall 2023 Semester, Alvernia University Resident Assistants (RAs) completed 207 total programs while pursuing their undergraduate or graduate degrees and extracurriculars. "I am really proud of the work that the Resident Assistant staff has done so far this academic year," said Assistant Director of Residence Life, Logan Houptley, M.S. "Our RAs have been resilient through the many changes in our department, including a refresh to our programming model and how we are engaging with our ever-changing residential population." The Office of Residence Life's (ORL) new programming model, Re-LAUnch, encompasses three categories of programs: Maroon, Gold, and Silver. Maroon events are floor-specific or community socials. Gold events are where RAs take their residents to other events hosted by other offices on campus. Silver events are bigger events that half of each RA staff hosts in the residence halls. They completed 84 Maroon programs, nine Silver events and three Gold programs each (114 total). "The new collaborative programming model has allowed us RAs to connect with residents like never before," said RA, Junior Athletic Training Major and Men's Golf Student-Athlete Jackson Hoovler. "Residents can now connect with other Residents from different floors and even different buildings. This has enabled RAs to build a greater community on campus than ever before. The new programming model offers inclusivity, creativity, and great fun for Residents across the Alvernia Campus. Resident attendance to programs is at an all-time high under the new programming model." In alignment with the Division of Student Affairs priorities, the ORL's programming efforts center around five learning outcomes that each RA must meet, including sense of belonging, cultural competence, self-sufficiency, health and wellness, and academic and career excellence. "As student affairs professionals and paraprofessionals, we know that a significant portion of learning comes from outside of the classroom," said Houptley. "Our RA staff is a crucial component of creating communities where this learning takes place and where students feel challenged and supported. I am proud of the buy-in from our residential students who have attended our events." In addition to the new programming model, the ORL is partnering with Alvernia University Athletics to pilot Athlead, an Athletics Living-Learning Community (LLC) for first-year students. This pilot is set to house 22 incoming first-year student-athletes in one residence hall wing with an RA who is also a student-athlete. "I feel that being a Head RA (HRA) and student-athlete has been a challenge and a blessing.... these two responsibilities have helped me grow my time management, perseverance, and determination," said HRA, Sophomore Occupational Therapy Major and Women's Volleyball Student-Athlete, Cierra Roberts. "I have met so many incredible people while working as an HRA/RA which has helped me to feel comfortable, confident, and secure when things get hard. This role has also improved my creativity while cultivating a great learning experience for my residents."

Alvernia University placed eight field hockey student-athletes on the NFHCA National Academic Squad as announced by the National National Field Hockey Coaches Association. The NFHCA National Academic Squad program, sponsored by OPA Winning Teams, honors undergraduate collegiate student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher through the first semester of the current academic year. The Middle Athletic Conference placed 160 student-athletes on the list with the Commonwealth placing 89 and the Freedom placing 71. Of Alvernia's eight honorees, Madison Speece and Brianna Burkholder appeared on the list for the fourth time. In addition, Lexi Boettcher, Abbie Buck, and Gianna DeGregory all tallied a third time on the list while Olivia Hess, Caroline Martin and Kathryn Palmer made their debut on the list.

On February 9, 2024, Community Evangelical Church and Alvernia University partnered to host the Tim Tebow Foundation's Night to Shine in Berks County for the first time since 2020. Night to Shine is designed to be an unforgettable prom night hosted globally for people with special needs aged 14 and older. Over 400 Alvernia volunteers celebrated the individuals by providing them with a night of joy and recognition. "Alvernia is committed to personal and social transformation through integrated, community-based, inclusive, and ethical learning," said Director of Accessibility Services Andrea Swift, Ed.D. "The University holds to the ideal of 'knowledge joined with love.' Night to Shine is focused on love for the honored guests and their families. Our students had the pleasure of sharing an incredible night celebrating unique individuals and ensuring that they know how valuable they are. Alvernia students also had the opportunity to put their knowledge they have learned in the classroom into practice as they helped with this community event."