Alvernia University

Happy to Bernie the Golden Wolf! From move-in to graduation and everything in between, Bernie fills campus with spirit and joy!

Teens from across the globe are exploring entrepreneurship, AI, and global leadership on campus this summer 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g-eqnp85

Executive Chair of Customers Bancorp Inc., and one of Berks County’s most influential business visionaries, Jay Sidhu developed the two-week Never Ever Ever Give Up Global Youth Leadership Boot Camp for children of YPO members.

Rooted in Alvernia's commitment to developing ethical leaders who do well and do good, the program challenges students to think beyond business success. Through reflection, service, experiential learning, and discussions on global citizenship, participants explore how purpose, integrity, and compassion shape effective leadership.

Among the first few speakers attendees heard from include:

Alvernia's Header School of Business Namesake, Distinguished Alumni Award recipient & founder of Solar Innovations®, Greg Header '97

YPO Leadership Speaker, Luvleen Sidhu, CEO, BM Technologies

YPO Leadership Speaker: Michael Pavone, CEO, Pavone Group

The O'Pake Institute helped Brody DeGroodt '24, MBA ’25, stockpile experience for his future during his time at Alvernia.

“It’s been fantastic,” he said. “A lot of entry-level jobs want two years of experience. But if you’ve just graduated college, how are you expected to get that? O’Pake has actually solved that problem. We’re completing college with all this experience.”

During his time as a Fellow and a Graduate Assistant, he worked on the following, all before graduating:

-His initial project, begun in 2024, involved helping the READING AREA FIREFIGHTERS MUSEUM increase its volunteer roster and attract more visitors. The intensive consultation over a few months involved an analysis of strengths and weaknesses and a business plan that included improving the website, bolstering social media and connecting with other organizations to promote the museum to tourists. He also created an electronic database for its numerous artifacts dating to the 18th century.

-He helped present eight sessions on personal finance for English-speaking registrants of the Financial Empowerment Series, open to Alvernia students and community members. Topics included budgeting, investing, and student loans.

-He repeated those presentations for Opportunity House, a local nonprofit that helps unhoused people.

-He also completed a project management certification.

“The most interesting part is working with a client and applying what I learned in the classroom to the real world,” said DeGroodt, who received his MBA at Alvernia ahead of entering Syracuse Law School in the fall. “I’m able to step out of my comfort zone and try something new.”

Read more about Brody's journey and the projects he worked on 🔗 https://www.alvernia.edu/success-stories/opake-institute-work-helps-mba-student-stockpile-experience-future-career

Register Here: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=197f80e7-f723-436b-b220-7183e17ded1a&envId=p-t7IKr57d5EK0LyQgAVi2Ig&zone=usa

In Greater Reading & Berks County, Women Support Each Other.

It's an honor to be a part of this community in many ways including the Alvernia University Women's Council's partnership with the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance’s Women2Women program to leverage and enhance programs and opportunities available to its members in the Greater Reading community, including the annual Bernardine Legacy Award Luncheon.

At the 2026 Luncheon, we celebrated women who are making an impact in the local community and breaking down barriers to higher education:

-The Bernardine Legacy Award Winner, Suzanne Cody of Help A Girl Out USA

-Newcombe Scholarship recipient Katherine Shah, Early Childhood Education (Alvernia University Graduate & Adult Education)

Learn more about Women's Council involvement and stay up to date on upcoming opportunities, including the Invest In Yourself Leadership Summit in September by clicking here 🔗 https://www.alvernia.edu/womens-council

Congratulations to Bernardine Legacy Award Winner, Suzanne Cody of Help A Girl Out USA!

The Berks & Schuylkill servant leader was honored at the annual luncheon on Wednesday at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading. Established to honor the legacy of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, the Bernardine Legacy Award recognizes an Alvernia alumna or friend of the university whose life reflects a deep commitment to Franciscan values through service, leadership, and community impact.

Read more about how Suzanne Cody exemplifies these ideals through her accomplished career, civic engagement, and dedication to creating meaningful opportunities for other 🔗 https://www.alvernia.edu/news/2026/05/womens-council-names-suzanne-cody-2026-bernardine-legacy-award-recipient

Psychology Professor Dr. Erin Way takes student research seriously. And, she does the same with play 🔗 https://www.alvernia.edu/success-stories/psychology-professor-believes-fun-activities-are-fair-play

As we get older, the desire and opportunities to engage in play dwindle. But as Dr. Way teaches in her Psychology of Play class, research shows the benefits of play across all phases of life.

“I brought in some puppets and some games and crayons and things, and they didn’t know what I wanted them to do," she remembered. "So, I began to realize there is an expectation to stop playing when you get older, and that’s counter to what we know about how important play is and all of the benefits play gives us, not just as kids, but throughout our lives, so I really designed the course to kind of help students to recognize the connection between play and a lot of positive outcomes.”

The class, which fills up quickly each semester, came about when Way was teaching lifespan development and brought in some activities for students to do during lessons in preschool development.

“This class taught me about the evolution of play and how important play is to not only just children, but to adult life. Sometimes we are couped up in a classroom all day, so it was great to come outside to express our artistic ability and spread positive messages around campus,” said psychology graduate, Olivia Barone ‘26.

Barone shared that the class was also instrumental during her time as a paraprofessional in a local school.

“This class actually helped me take the steps I need to observe the different types of play,” said Barone. “For example, if a child is playing by themselves, that is something that should be observed because it has a lot to do with social interactions inside and outside of school."

Thank you to People for shedding light on Alvernia University's transformative culture of care and for featuring Jeff Gibboni's inspiring story.

“When I came to Alvernia and discovered the Franciscan values, it aligned so well with my worldview and my experience, and to see them on signposts throughout the campus and embodied by the people I deal with was very reaffirming,” he said. “Once I got here, it was good experience after good experience after good experience.”

It's an honor to be a part of your story, Jeff. Thank you for allowing us to share it with the world!

🔗: bit.ly/4esQ5PR

Jeff Gibboni overcame PTSD, substance abuse and divorce to pursue a new career in mental health counseling.

📷: Jeff Gibboni; Susan Angstadt