Mercyhurst Made Spotlights
Highlighting our alumni who were made by Mercyhurst, and in turn, have made Mercyhurst...Mercyhurst!
Major at Mercyhurst: Sport Business Management
Career Information: Sr. Professional Recruiter, Actalent
How Are You "Mercyhurst Made"?: The Hurst helped me strengthen myself both professionally and spiritually and showed me a lot with work ethic and service to the Mercyhurst community with a commitment to different organizations. Being able to grow from my time in class along with service projects and internships, serving as a member of the Lacrosse team being a part of a top athletic program, being a resident assistant (RA) representing others in a positive way, working in sports information and being paid to help with stats at Mercyhurst Athletics events, serving Mercyhurst Student Government representing my classmates, being a part of the Merciad student newspaper as a sports editor, and growing my faith in Campus Ministry with mass and other campus events, all have shaped me to be the best version of myself!
Accomplishments After Mercyhurst: Personally finding my amazing wife Kristina and raising our family (children Liliana and Connor) with a lot of our Catholic values including running Bible studies and being involved with couples preparing for marriage ministries and men’s groups. Secondly, hitting seven straight work incentive trips to Cancun for being a top producer with the company which involves helping people grow their professional careers!
Best Mercyhurst Memory: Being recognized with the Sr. Damien Award is my best Mercyhurst memory. I still remember visiting the college and learning of Sr. Damien’s passion for the school. I remember opening up to her that the college decision process was difficult for me, and she said, you can pray all you want, but I know God has a plan for you to be here! Finding out in the fall of 2004, when I came to the Hurst, that she had passed away, I knew only meeting her one time that I wanted to serve like her and the Sisters of Mercy!
Best Advice for Mercyhurst Students:
Get involved! There are so many amazing clubs and organizations and all my memories (even though being involved could be tiring) helped me make my lifelong friends! Looking back I am so glad to be able to be a part of so much and it has helped me grow personally and professionally!
Major at Mercyhurst: English and History
Career Information: I am retired. I taught Senior Advanced Placement English and Junior Honors at Academy High School for 35 years. Now I volunteer for six 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
How Are You "Mercyhurst Made"?:
I learned how to be a successful teacher thanks to Sr. Eustace and Dr. Relahan. I was so very fortunate to have mainly professors from the group of sisters that founded Mercyhurst.
Accomplishments After Mercyhurst: I received the Mercyhurst Leadership Award at graduation because of my involvement with several organizations on campus, even though I was a "day hop." Since graduating, my proudest accomplishment was being asked to conduct the Erie Philharmonic orchestra at a symphony concert and raising $30,000 in donations (the most anyone has raised before or since) for the Philharmonic.
Best Mercyhurst Memory:
How at home and comfortable I felt at Mercyhurst and how much I enjoyed my time at the college.
Best Advice for Mercyhurst Students:
Get involved in the activities at the university. This will enrich your university experience and prepare you for a life of service.
Major at Mercyhurst: Applied Forensic Sciences
Career Information: Director of Product Management, ALM Solutions at Trimble, Inc.
How Are You "Mercyhurst Made?": Mercyhurst was where it all started! Since I knew no one when I arrived at Mercyhurst in August 2006, I was dedicated to my academics and work study but had to make friends. I was 1,400 miles away from home, and after learning about the Sisters of Mercy from an Ambassador information session, I was drawn to the leap of faith they took going from Baggot St. in Ireland all the way to 38th St. in Erie, PA. Mercyhurst taught me to find my voice, stand up for others and myself, and that everything happens for a reason.
Accomplishments After Mercyhurst: Currently, I'm really grateful and proud to further my education at the University of Cambridge in the UK by pursuing a second master's in Construction Engineering. Both personally and professionally, I'm fortunate to attend a renowned institution while knowing all the sacrifices my family and community have made and to get to represent my hometown in Texas, Mercyhurst, and Texas A&M, which have all shaped my academic education. Professionally, I'm very proud of enabling communities throughout the world to be resilient and sustainable with GIS-centric software that is depended on for infrastructure management, whether it's in Erie, PA, or Baytown, TX.
Best Mercyhurst Memory: Any memory with my roomies throughout the four years, especially from Warde Townhouse number three. We moved in the week before Move-In Day in August and townhome number two had a bigger fridge. So, in between the Police & Safety rounds, two other roomies and I managed to swap fridges without anyone noticing. The only problem, the next morning, my veggies were still in our old fridge sitting in townhome number two so we had to retrieve it!
Best Advice for Mercyhurst Students: It's ok to not know anyone on campus when you first step foot, but it's up to you to make the most out of such a great opportunity to go to college. Meet new people, try something new, serve the community, make friends, and make memories, but above all, make sure at the end of the four years that you're not just walking away with a degree but with experiences that will shape you beyond the gates. Carpe Diem!