Success Stories
Discover how Ë®¹ûÅÉ students, alumni, and faculty turn education into action. Explore success stories of leadership, service, and innovation that reflect our Franciscan mission. Ready to see where your story begins? Explore how you can join a community that leads with purpose.
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History major, an Air Force veteran, relishes in-person connections
Most adult students prefer the flexibility of online courses, which allow them to tailor learning to their schedules.Michael Barnwell ’26 sought the opposite, seeking the interaction he thrived on during 20 years in the U.S. Air Force.“I wanted th...
O'Pake Institute work helps MBA student stockpile experience for future career
In his years at Ë®¹ûÅÉ, Brody DeGroodt ’25 has had many rich experiences — four years as a baseball player, academic excellence that included the History Achievement Award at the Honors Convocation, and deep friendships.But perhaps th...
Transfer student follows mother's footsteps to find community and a full-time job
The journey of transfer student Lilibet Perez '26 to Alvernia wasn’t exactly traditional. She originally thought she wanted to be an elementary school teacher, only to realize a year-and-a-half into her college journey that her heart wasn’t in it....
Biology major turns early college struggles into research success
For Isaac Peterson '27, Ë®¹ûÅÉ became the turning point that reshaped both his academic and personal identity. A biology major with a chemistry minor, Peterson arrived at Alvernia after an unsteady start to college, where athletics on...