911��

911�� Honors Veterans, Celebrates Growth of Veterans Center

sarah.matarella@alvernia.edu — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 17:42:10 +0000

911�� Honors Veterans, Celebrates Growth of Veterans Center sarah.matarell… Wed, 11/11/2026 - 12:42

911�� Honors Veterans, Celebrates Growth of Veterans Center

Annual Veterans Day Ceremony Features Muhlenberg High School Air Force JROTC Color Guard, Student Veterans and More

911�� hosted a Veterans Day program on Nov. 10 to recognize and honor the courage, commitment and sacrifice of those who have served and continue to serve in the United States Armed Forces.

"Veterans Day is an opportunity for the Alvernia community to come together to recognize the courage, sacrifice and dedication of those who have answered our nation's call to serve," said Col. (Ret.) Deb Geiger, military recruitment and success coordinator at 911��. "As we gathered this year in Francis Hall during its 100^th anniversary year, we are reminded of the journey of St. Francis of Assisi, who served as a soldier before dedicating his life to compassion, service and peace. His story reminds us that true strength is found not only in courage on the battlefield, but also in service to others. These are values that continue to guide our Alvernia community and reflect the spirit of the veterans we honor today.”

Alvernia recently strengthened its commitment to supporting military-connected students with the addition of Geiger as military recruitment and student success coordinator. An Alvernia alumna and decorated U.S. Army veteran, Geiger brings decades of military leadership and service to the role. Drawing on her extensive experience and longstanding commitment to service, Geiger will support veterans, active-duty service members and military-connected students as they pursue their educational goals at Alvernia.

The program featured participation from the Muhlenberg High School Air Force JROTC Color Guard, the Alvernia Chorus, Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Marie and Marietta, and guest speakers including current student veterans and Alvernia faculty member Professor Eric Robuck, who served in the military for 24 years.

The ceremony also featured two Alvernia student veterans: Scarlenny Guaragna, a junior cybersecurity major and former U.S. Navy Seabee who held the rank of Builder Third Class, and Rocky Diaz, a first-year criminal justice major and specialist in the Pennsylvania National Guard, where he serves as a wheeled vehicle mechanic.

“Being in the Guard has given me a different way of looking at service. It’s not just about being ready for big deployments; it’s about showing up for your community every month, training with the same people, and knowing that what we do directly supports the state and the people around us. I’m a community person at heart, and the Guard lets me serve in a way that stays connected to home. That matters to me,” said Diaz.

“I’m currently in my first year of studying criminal justice here at 911�� in hopes of becoming a police officer here in Reading in the future. I’m planning to apply soon to the police academy and see where that road takes me while also continuing my education. On this Veterans Day, I’m proud to stand with every Soldier, past and present, who answered the call and I’m grateful the Guard has given me the chance to serve my community while I work toward protecting it as a police officer one day.”

Alvernia's Continued Commitment to Military-affiliated Students

Alvernia's commitment to supporting veterans and military-affiliated students extends beyond its annual Veterans Day celebration. The university has also been named a Military Friendly® School, earning a silver designation in recognition of its dedicated resources, flexible pathways and financial assistance for military-affiliated students.

Through its Veterans Center, Alvernia provides a welcoming space for student veterans and military-affiliated students to connect, share experiences and access resources. The university also offers dedicated admissions and financial aid counseling, academic advising and career services, and participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program to help make higher education more accessible and affordable for veterans and their dependents.

“Student veterans bring leadership, experience, and a deep commitment to service to Alvernia,” said Chief Enrollment and Strategic Communications Officer, Gaetan T. Giannini, Ed.D. “We want them to know where to turn for support from the moment they consider applying through graduation and as they prepare for their next career. That’s why we continue to invest in the Veterans Center and in dedicated staff who can help student veterans navigate the transition to college, connect with peers, and stay on track to earn their degrees.”

To learn about the Veterans Center at 911��, visit www.alvernia.edu/student-experience/veterans-center.

Aiming to become police officer, service-minded Army National Guardsman pursuing criminal justice degree at Alvernia

jonfassnacht — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 14:25:56 +0000

Aiming to become police officer, service-minded Army National Guardsman pursuing criminal justice degree at Alvernia

Rocky Diaz '29

jonfassnacht Wed, 11/11/2026 - 09:25

College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences

Undergraduate student

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice

Growing up, Spc. Rocky Diaz ’29 always knew he wanted to serve in the military.

While at Reading High School, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program, where he earned a community service award for logging over 200 hours of service during one school year.

He then enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, allowing him to continue with his military experience while pursuing a civilian career. Today, following boot camp at Fort Sill, Okla., and training at Fort Lee, Va., he serves as a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 328th Logistics Support Battalion.

Diaz chose to major in criminal justice at Alvernia to aid his plans to become a police officer, specifically a K-9 officer.

“I just want to help the community,” he said. “I'm a community person at heart. I grew up here in Reading. I know a lot of people; I get along with a lot of people. Growing up with these people, I understand where they're coming from. So I feel like being a cop would be right up my alley since I would be able to handle situations better than other cops who haven't lived here.”

A spiritual person, Diaz appreciates the university’s Franciscan Values. It also helps that the Reading Police Academy resides in Alvernia’s Upland Center. Though police officers don’t need college degrees, he believes having one will give him a step up if he wants to pursue any specialized areas. Even if it’s going to give him quite the full plate.

“I'm juggling a bit here,” he admitted. “In the in the next couple months, I am going to apply to the police academy. Once I go through that, I might take a semester off or do some online classes, but I'm going to go with the schedule that I get while pursuing my degree.”

Until his scheduled discharge in 2030, Diaz will fulfill his National Guard service commitment of one weekend a month plus two weeks in the summer. He may re-enlist, but right now his main goal is becoming a police officer.

"This Veterans Day, Rocky's story reminds us that the strength of our nation rests in the willingness of ordinary individuals to serve a cause greater than themselves,” said Col. (Ret.) Deborah Geiger, military recruitment and student success coordinator at Alvernia’s Veterans Center. “As a National Guard Soldier, Alvernia student and aspiring police officer, Rocky exemplifies a lifelong commitment to service, leadership and the protection of the communities he calls home."

Diaz was one of two student veterans who spoke at Alvernia’s 2026 Veterans Day Ceremony. In his remarks, he discussed how keeping the unit’s vehicles running is not the flashiest job but one that must be done right if the mission is going to work, and he noted that being in the Guard has given him a different way of looking at service.

“It’s not just about being ready for big deployments,” he said during the ceremony. “It’s about showing up for your community every month, training with the same people, and knowing that what we do directly supports the state and the people around us. … I’m proud to stand with every soldier, past and present, who answered the call and I’m grateful the Guard has given me the chance to serve my community while I work toward protecting it as a police officer one day.”

911�� and Marian University Announce Plans to Unite Under a Shared Mission

sarah.matarella@alvernia.edu — Mon, 09 Nov 2026 16:54:39 +0000

911�� and Marian University Announce Plans to Unite Under a Shared Mission sarah.matarell… Mon, 11/09/2026 - 11:54

Alvernia, Marian University Announce Plans to Unite Under a Shared Mission

Proposed acquisition is grounded in Catholic values, student opportunity and long-term stewardship

911�� in Reading, Pa., and Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wis., announce a mission-aligned combination that will build on the strengths and distinctive traditions of both institutions, expand educational opportunities for students, and strengthen their collective impact on the communities they serve.

Under the proposed combination, sponsorship of Marian University would transfer from the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes to the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, who founded Alvernia. As part of this transition, Alvernia would acquire Marian, bringing together two Catholic universities united by a commitment to faith, service, student success and comprehensive, values-driven regional higher education.

Marian, founded by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes in 1936, has served Fond du Lac and the surrounding region for 90 years.  As Alvernia and Marian begin the formal process of bringing their universities together, they are committed to honoring Marian’s rich heritage and distinctive identity while exploring how shared resources, expertise and mission can strengthen both universities for the future.

In Catholic higher education, sponsoring congregations play a vital role in preserving and advancing the institution’s Catholic mission and identity. The two congregations have worked closely to build a shared understanding of Marian’s culture, values and long-term mission.

“Alvernia has taken deliberate steps over the past several years to strengthen our financial position, clarify our strategic priorities and prepare for the university’s next chapter,” said Alvernia President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. “We’re incredibly excited about this opportunity to bring together two institutions that are grounded in shared Catholic mission and values, and we are grateful for the trust the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes has placed in us and in the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters. Together, we have an opportunity to honor Marian’s heritage, strengthen our shared mission and expand the opportunities we can offer students. We believe the future of Catholic higher education will be shaped by institutions willing to work together, steward their resources wisely and remain steadfast in their commitment to the students and communities they serve.”

The proposed acquisition remains subject to further discussions and reviews, as well as required institutional, canonical, regulatory and accrediting approvals. During this process, both universities will continue to operate as they do today, with no immediate changes to academic programs, employment, tuition, athletics, campus operations or the student experience.

“This is an opportunity to enhance Marian’s future while honoring the people and traditions that have made this university so special for generations,” said Aaron Sadoff, Marian President. “As we looked ahead to Marian’s future, it was important to find a partner who understands and shares our commitment to our Catholic mission, our values, and the Fond du Lac community we call home. We believe Alvernia shares that commitment, and we are excited about the possibilities ahead for our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the communities we serve."

 Alvernia Board Chair Michael Duff said the process reflects the university’s long-term strategy and commitment to strengthening Catholic higher education.

“This is a thoughtful, mission-aligned step for Alvernia,” said Duff. “The board’s responsibility is to help ensure the university is positioned to serve students well today and into the future. This next step reflects Alvernia’s strength, its disciplined stewardship and its commitment to pursuing opportunities that are consistent with our mission.”

Marian Board Chair Holly M. Brenner said the process is focused on preserving Marian’s mission and identity while creating new opportunities for the institution’s future.

“Marian has a rich history and a special place in the heart of the Fond du Lac community,” said Brenner. “As a board, we have a deep responsibility to honor that legacy while thoughtfully considering what will best serve Marian and its students for generations to come. Throughout this process, protecting Marian’s mission and identity has been at the heart of our discussions. We believe this proposed path forward with Alvernia offers an opportunity to build on Marian’s strong foundation, create new possibilities for our students, and carry our mission forward into the future.”

Sister John Ann Proach, OSF, Congregational Minister of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, said the process reflects Alvernia’s Franciscan mission and commitment to service.

“911�� was founded to extend the Franciscan Catholic heritage of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters’ commitment to education that recognizes and values the importance of diversity of thought, faiths, cultures, service, and the dignity of every person.” said Sister John Ann. “We are honored by the trust reflected in the proposed transfer of Marian’s sponsorship and by the opportunity to help carry forward a Catholic higher education mission that has been faithfully stewarded by the Sisters of St. Agnes for 90 years. We assume that responsibility with much humility, respect, and a deep commitment to Marian’s continued vitality.” 

Sister Sharon Pollnow, General Superior of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, said Marian’s mission and identity remain central to the path forward.

“Since its founding 90 years ago, Marian has always been rooted in Catholic mission, service, and the belief that education can transform lives,” Sister Sharon said. “As we considered how best to sustain that mission for future generations, it was important to us to find a partner and sponsoring congregation that understood Marian’s identity and values. We are grateful for the trusting relationship we have built with the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters during the past two years of dialogue, prayer, and discernment, and we are confident that they will honor the legacy entrusted to them as Marian moves into its next chapter.”

Donna M. Carroll, Ed.D., president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, said the partnership is a strong example of collaboration in Catholic higher education.

“This is an example of deeply meaningful governance at its best — a decision that invests in mission with significant organizational and financial implications. It is risky, courageous, and generous," Carroll said. "The fact that the sponsoring congregations initiated the consolidation – as an exchange of gifts – offers Catholic higher education another hopeful pathway for collaboration.”

Additional information will be shared as the process continues and details are finalized.

Professor helps students navigate the brave new sports-business world

jonfassnacht — Fri, 06 Nov 2026 17:19:43 +0000

Professor helps students navigate the brave new sports-business world

Angelise Blessing, MS

jonfassnacht Fri, 11/06/2026 - 12:19

Department

Header School of Business

Faculty

Bachelor of Science in Sport Management

Staff

Angelise Blessing, MS

Angelise Blessing, MS has been involved in the sports media world since she was 6 years old.

That’s when her dad started taking her to every Philadelphia Eagles home game. Wielding a microphone attached to a PA system in the parking lot, she began interviewing “Eagles Pregame Live” personalities Michael Barkann, Ray Didinger, Derrick Gunn and Gov. Ed Rendell for a program she called “Live at D5,” a reference to where her family tailgated. That tradition continued through her final year of high school.

In 2015, while she was completing her Master of Science in Sports Management at Temple University, she launched PhiladelphiaSportsDigest.com, which became the top multimedia provider of high school sports coverage in the Philadelphia area. Blessing’s mother, award-winning broadcast journalist Angela DelVecchio, serves as managing editor for the staff of 40-plus.

Blessing recently joined the Alvernia faculty as a professional specialist of business, teaching multiple classes in the Sport Management Program in the Header School of Business. Her interest in teaching stemmed from working with high schoolers at Philadelphia Sports Digest.

“You get a lot of students that say, ‘I want to work for the Philadelphia Eagles’ or ‘I want to be an athletic director,’” she said. “Well, guess what? You need to learn how to write. You need to learn how to edit videos. Social media is so important now. And there were a lot of journalistic skills the students needed that they weren’t getting in their coursework.”

So she created a course to teach Temple undergrads everything they needed to know to be successful. Only 24 at the time, she became the youngest professor at Temple. Over the ensuing years, she added Drexel and La Salle to her teaching slate.

Blessing and her husband moved back to Berks County in December to be closer to her father, “the strongest person that I know,” who is battling an aggressive case of glioblastoma.

“The day after we found out that we got the house, I saw the posting for this job at Alvernia,” she said.

Blessing's Facility Management and Events class learned about construction management while touring the American House at Reading CollegeTowne.

It’s a return of sorts for Blessing, who attended Alvernia’s Montessori School for kindergarten. Though she only joined the university’s faculty in the spring, she hit the ground running.

“Alvernia prides itself in experiential learning,” she said. “Well, I live it.”

Her Facility Management and Events class toured the under-renovation American House at Reading CollegeTowne to learn firsthand about construction management, followed by a tour of Santander Arena. And Mike Robinson, the director of the Redner’s Event Center at FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Reading Fightin Phils, visited the class to discuss working at a facility that focuses on sports for half of the year while maintaining a robust non-sports schedule during the offseason.
Alvernia Director of Athletics and Recreation Cory Beddick and Assistant Athletic Director for Campus Recreation and Operations Marisa Lombardo shared their experiences with Blessing’s Intro to Sports Management class.
Her Management Principles class features local leader presentations, during which each of the 27 students brings someone who impacted their life into class to share their journey and expertise.
Her Senior Seminar class is working with the Reading Royals to promote and sell tickets to the Nov. 20 home game versus the Kalamazoo Wings. The winning team will drop the puck at the game. The students also plan to use $5 from the sale of each ticket to create the Senior Blessing Scholarship for incoming first-year students majoring in sports management.

Mike Robinson, director of the Redner’s Event Center at FirstEnergy Stadium, discusses working at the home of the Reading Fightin Phils.

“This field, especially with social media and the media marketing departments, is so highly sought after just because you can be a personal media manager for specific athletes,” she said. “They’re not just athletes anymore. They're content creators, they’re influencers. They're picking certain schools not necessarily because of how much they're willing to play but because of the exposure they're getting. So it's a totally new market and avenue that these students can take. And with the background that I have, I'm excited to develop more programs that can prepare our students for that.”

Her most notable offering so far has been “Beyond X's and O's: A Conversation 911�� Leadership, Life & the Business of Sports,” a panel discussion held in October at Alvernia’s Physical Education Center that included Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame basketball coaches Fran Dunphy and Phil Martelli.

Blessing and Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame basketball coache Fran Dunphy at the “Beyond X's and O's: A Conversation 911�� Leadership, Life & the Business of Sports” panel discussion.

Blessing is close with Dunphy, the former men's basketball coach for the University of Pennsylvania, Temple and La Salle, having taught with him at Temple and La Salle. She reached out to gauge his interest, and not only did he agree to it, but he recruited Phil Martelli, former men's basketball coach for St. Joseph's University and the University of Michigan. The panel also included Jason O'Connell, head men’s basketball coach at Alvernia, and Mike Doyle, head men’s basketball coach at Delaware Valley University.

Thrilled with how the event was received, Blessing hopes to host additional panel discussions, including a female-focused panel to mark the 40th anniversary of National Woman in Sports Day in February.

Going forward, she is excited to learn more about her students to determine what lines of work they want to go into and how she can help make that happen. And she wants to continue to offer opportunities that allow students to make connections throughout the region, developing a pipeline of talent for sports organizations to tap into.

“Something that makes the sports industry innately valuable is the fact that the value is not going to diminish,” she said. “You want to watch sports live. If you don't watch it live, you're late. It's something that still holds our attention. I tell students, you may have to start out at a minor league team, but it doesn't matter because this industry is going to be here. It's something deeper than a game. It's a community. It's a passion that people have. And it's very rare to be in an industry where that passion for certain things will not go away.”

Cocoa & Claus

jonfassnacht — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 20:35:02 +0000

Cocoa & Claus jonfassnacht Mon, 11/02/2026 - 15:35

Active future physical therapist believes positive things happen to positive people

jonfassnacht — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 18:32:26 +0000

Active future physical therapist believes positive things happen to positive people

Claire Campbell DPT '28

jonfassnacht Mon, 11/02/2026 - 13:32

Graduate student

To say Claire Campbell DPT '28 is making the most of her college experience at Alvernia may be an understatement.

Campbell enrolled in 2022 as an accelerated Healthcare Science 3+3 Doctor of Physical Therapy student. The program essentially allowed her to save a year of tuition and start her career earlier.

“I was the student that constantly needed to be challenged, so I knew Alvernia would push me outside my comfort zone, academically and personally," she said. "I came to Alvernia wanting to reinvent myself… and grow into the person I knew I could become. I carried with me a simple belief: positive things happen to positive people. I did not know then how that mindset would shape my journey.”

In her sophomore year, Campbell and fellow students Hailey Keperling, Madison Matthews and Katelynn Nedimyer created a community called the Pre-PT Organization for undergraduate students interested in physical therapy. What started as four students with an idea became an effort that connected undergraduate and graduate PT students through mentorship, friendship, professional growth and leadership.

Campbell at Team FTK (For the Kids), a Mini THON-style event she and three friends brought to Alvernia.

The next year, she and those lifelong friends dared to dream again, aiming to bring a Mini THON-style event to Alvernia. By Campbell’s junior year, the dream became a reality and Team FTK (For the Kids) was born. The first year, the completely student-led campus-wide event raised more than $11,000, making it the highest-fundraising Team FTK event in the country through Four Diamonds, a nonprofit organization supporting children with cancer and their families. Each hour of the mini-THON carried a different theme, with student organizations and clubs creating games, activities and more moments aimed at keeping the energy alive throughout the 16-hour experience.

“What stays with me is knowing four students had an idea, believed in it enough to pursue it, and it turned into a tradition that could continue to impact others long after we graduated,” Campbell said.

Campbell, at right, during Alvernia's annual pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy.

Through her many experiences at Alvernia, which included a pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy, Campbell said perhaps the greatest lesson she’s learned is that positivity is something no one can take away from you.

“I have also learned the importance of simply checking in on people,” says Campbell, something she puts to practice in her role as a graduate assistant for the Office of Accessibility Services.

There, she serves as an academic coach, helping students develop strategies for navigating the challenges of college. But that’s not what means most to her.

“I have found that my favorite part of this position is getting to know the person behind the student," she said. "I have had the opportunity to learn about students’ lives, interests, experiences, and the things that make them who they are. Sometimes, something as simple as asking, 'What makes you, you?' can completely change the conversation. I have seen students’ eyes light up when they realize that someone is genuinely interested in knowing them as a person rather than simply focusing on their grades or accommodations."

Part of what’s shaped her attitude and outlook is certainly the mentors she’s met along the way.

Campbell, who hopes to become a pediatric physical therapist post-graduation, asserts, “I am especially grateful to Dr. Thompson, Dr. Porazzo, Dr. Bertoti and my physical therapy professors who have challenged me academically, supported me professionally and provided an outlet of support when I needed it most. Their guidance has helped shape not only the student and future physical therapist I am, but the person I have become.”

TExpL Graduate Certificate in Educational Innovation and Entrepreneurship Information Session: January 12

jonfassnacht — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 16:59:15 +0000

TExpL Graduate Certificate in Educational Innovation and Entrepreneurship Information Session: January 12 jonfassnacht Mon, 11/02/2026 - 11:59

TExpL Graduate Certificate in Educational Innovation and Entrepreneurship Information Session: January 5

jonfassnacht — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 16:57:43 +0000

TExpL Graduate Certificate in Educational Innovation and Entrepreneurship Information Session: January 5 jonfassnacht Mon, 11/02/2026 - 11:57

TExpL Graduate Certificate in Educational Innovation and Entrepreneurship Information Session: December 9

jonfassnacht — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 16:56:17 +0000

TExpL Graduate Certificate in Educational Innovation and Entrepreneurship Information Session: December 9 jonfassnacht Mon, 11/02/2026 - 11:56

TExpL Graduate Certificate in Educational Innovation and Entrepreneurship Information Session: December 3

jonfassnacht — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 16:53:45 +0000

TExpL Graduate Certificate in Educational Innovation and Entrepreneurship Information Session: December 3 jonfassnacht Mon, 11/02/2026 - 11:53

911������

911������ Honors Veterans, Celebrates Growth of Veterans Center

911������ Honors Veterans, Celebrates Growth of Veterans Center

Annual Veterans Day Ceremony Features Muhlenberg High School Air Force JROTC Color Guard, Student Veterans and More

Alvernia's Continued Commitment to Military-affiliated Students

Aiming to become police officer, service-minded Army National Guardsman pursuing criminal justice degree at Alvernia

911������ and Marian University Announce Plans to Unite Under a Shared Mission

Alvernia, Marian University Announce Plans to Unite Under a Shared Mission

Proposed acquisition is grounded in Catholic values, student opportunity and long-term stewardship

Professor helps students navigate the brave new sports-business world

Cocoa & Claus

Active future physical therapist believes positive things happen to positive people

TExpL Graduate Certificate in Educational Innovation and Entrepreneurship Information Session: January 12

TExpL Graduate Certificate in Educational Innovation and Entrepreneurship Information Session: January 5

TExpL Graduate Certificate in Educational Innovation and Entrepreneurship Information Session: December 9

TExpL Graduate Certificate in Educational Innovation and Entrepreneurship Information Session: December 3

911��

911�� Honors Veterans, Celebrates Growth of Veterans Center

911�� Honors Veterans, Celebrates Growth of Veterans Center

911�� and Marian University Announce Plans to Unite Under a Shared Mission

Proposed acquisition is grounded in Catholic values, student opportunity and long-term stewardship