��ϲ��

O'Pake Fellow set up for professional success after logging 500 consulting hours

jonfassnacht — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 17:56:35 +0000

O'Pake Fellow set up for professional success after logging 500 consulting hours

Name

Anthony Florkowski ’25, MBA ’27

jonfassnacht Sun, 08/09/2026 - 13:56

College

College of Innovation, Discovery, and Enterprise

Department

O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship

Persona

Graduate student

Intro Content

Since he started as an O’Pake Fellow during his first year at ��ϲ��, Anthony Florkowski ’25, MBA ’27 says his communication and project management skills have made a 180-degree change for the better, setting him up for success in the work-a-day world.

“I’m challenged every day,” said the accounting graduate from Downingtown who is pursuing his MBA at ��ϲ�� and is a graduate assistant in finance with the O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship. “I’ve developed professionally profoundly. I’ve become a lot better leader.”

Florkowski credits O’Pake and its many experiential learning opportunities, including currently overseeing a dozen undergraduate fellows plus high school interns, with bolstering his skill set and helping him put into practice what he learns in the classroom.

"My studies are directly fueling the work I do for clients and with fellows, especially in understanding market trends and organizational growth,” he said. “Recently, I have been helping local businesses scale through systems integration, including streamlining inventory and providing manufacturing cost analyses for products.”

Florkowski almost didn’t consider accounting. In his senior year at Downingtown West High School, he needed one more class to graduate. Florkowski looked at the A’s in a course list and settled on intro to accounting.

“I loved that class,” he said. “What I liked about it most is that it was simple math, but there’s a theory to the numbers. Accounting is the language of business. If you understand accounting, you understand everything else.”

I like to think of O’Pake as a place with padded walls, where if you make a mistake, it won’t hurt too much.

At ��ϲ��, which he chose in part for its ice hockey club team, Florkowski continued to excel, capturing the top honor for accounting at graduation and logging some 500 consulting hours through O’Pake projects.

“It's teaching me what a real job is like,” said Florkowki. “It's exposing me to some scenarios that you typically don't get if you're just in class. I like to think of O’Pake as a place with padded walls, where if you make a mistake, it won't hurt too much. It's great preparation for going into the real world.”

PHOTO: Anthony Florkowski, at right, was an O'Pake Fellow throughout his undergraduate years at ��ϲ�� and has continued during his years pursuing an MBA.

The John Paul II Center, a school for children and adults with special needs, was a favorite, said Florkowski, who helped set up QuickBooks for the Special Blends Café, which the center hopes to open in late 2026 in ��ϲ��’s new American House at Reading CollegeTowne.

Florkowski has earned three certifications in QuickBooks, so he was perfect for the job.

“They have a great business office there, so I was able to talk to them and see where they might need help, and give them some tips and tricks,” he said. “Going to meetings there is amazing. They always take me on a tour, and I get to go see the kids. It's always a heartwarming time. One of the favorite projects I've done.”

Florkowski wants to explore a career in accounting or commercial banking following graduation. He will enter the job market brimming with confidence garnered from years of working with clients.

"One of the most rewarding aspects of our work at O'Pake is seeing our graduate students apply their expertise to make a lasting difference in the community,” said John Stetler, M.S., O’Pake’s executive director of client and financial services. “Anthony's hands-on support, from configuring QuickBooks Online and designing the chart of accounts to training staff and providing ongoing guidance, has helped equip Special Blends Café with the tools needed for long-term success."

- By Lini S. Kadaba

��ϲ�� to welcome record incoming class this fall

sarah.matarella@alvernia.edu — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 18:42:22 +0000

��ϲ�� to welcome record incoming class this fall sarah.matarell… Thu, 08/06/2026 - 14:42

��ϲ�� to welcome record incoming class this fall

Milestone marks the seventh consecutive year with over 475 new students

��ϲ�� will welcome the largest class in university history this fall, with enrollment currently sitting at over 575 first-year and transfer students. The incoming class breaks the 2022 record of 563 first-year and transfer students. This milestone also marks the seventh consecutive year ��ϲ�� will welcome over 475 new students. To date, the 2026 incoming class has grown by 21.89% compared to the 2025 class of over 475 first-year and transfer students.

" The largest incoming class in ��ϲ��’s history marks an exciting milestone in the university’s continued growth and momentum,” said President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. “Students are choosing ��ϲ�� because they recognize the value of an education that delivers a strong return on their investment—preparing them for successful careers while equipping them to lead lives of purpose and service. As we expand our academic offerings, partnerships and footprint, we remain focused on providing a personalized, career-connected education grounded in our Franciscan values. Our commitment is clear: to ensure every ��ϲ�� student graduates with the knowledge, experience and confidence to succeed in a rapidly changing workforce and make a meaningful impact in the world."

Academically, the incoming class holds an average GPA of 3.44. This year further acknowledges the growth of the John R. Post School of Engineering with the addition of a fifth major and first incoming class for civil engineering. This year also brings the first incoming classes in artificial intelligence; business analytics; digital humanities; and social influencing, communication and creative media.

"Academic excellence is about preparing students not only for the careers of today, but for the opportunities of tomorrow," said Provost and Chief Academic Officer Mary Ellen Wells, JD, LLM. " As we expand offerings in engineering and introduce programs that reflect the evolution of artificial intelligence and the digital landscape, we are equipping students with the knowledge, critical thinking, communication skills, hands-on experience and ethical foundation to thrive in rapidly evolving industries and contribute meaningfully to their communities."

Over 180 members of the Class of 2030 students are first-generation college students and 225 are Pell Grant-eligible. The incoming students earned an average merit scholarship award of $24,949. The class hails from 18 states (ranging from as far as Nevada, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas) and 12 countries: Saudi Arabia, Canada, Finland, Luxembourg, Kenya, Malaysia, Brazil, India, Peru, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the Philippines.

"This incoming class reflects ��ϲ��'s commitment to expanding access to higher education and creating opportunities for students from all backgrounds to reach their goals," said Associate Vice President of Admissions Bret Krotee. "Through substantial merit scholarships, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, we are helping talented students see that a transformational ��ϲ�� education is within reach, whether they are traveling from around the world or are local to the region.”

The record class follows ��ϲ��'s ranking in the top echelon for Most Affordable and Popular Colleges in Pennsylvania by Research.com. It also comes on the heels of the university being named to Carnegie's 2026 High Access, High Earnings Opportunity Colleges and Universities list, recognizing institutions that expand educational access while producing strong economic outcomes for graduates. ��ϲ�� was also recognized as a national doctoral university by U.S. News & World Report, reflecting the university's continued growth and impact.

��ϲ��'s Carnegie Community Engagement Classification was reaffirmed in 2026, continuing ongoing recognition since 2008, highlighting the university’s 40-hour service requirement, CollegeTowne partnerships and mission-driven impact. It also builds upon the university’s continued recognition by Colleges of Distinction, Money magazine and Berks County Living's People's Choice Awards ahead of the 2026-27 academic year, record number of conferred degrees in May, and reaffirmation of accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education last summer.

��ϲ�� Information Session: December 5

jonfassnacht — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:56:38 +0000

��ϲ�� Information Session: December 5 jonfassnacht Thu, 08/06/2026 - 11:56

��ϲ�� Information Session: November 21

jonfassnacht — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:54:36 +0000

��ϲ�� Information Session: November 21 jonfassnacht Thu, 08/06/2026 - 11:54

��ϲ�� Information Session: October 24

jonfassnacht — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:53:01 +0000

��ϲ�� Information Session: October 24 jonfassnacht Thu, 08/06/2026 - 11:53

��ϲ�� Information Session: October 12

jonfassnacht — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:50:03 +0000

��ϲ�� Information Session: October 12 jonfassnacht Thu, 08/06/2026 - 11:50

��ϲ�� Information Session: October 10

jonfassnacht — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:26:26 +0000

��ϲ�� Information Session: October 10 jonfassnacht Thu, 08/06/2026 - 11:26

Nine Student Undergraduate Research Fellows Present Summer Projects

sarah.matarella@alvernia.edu — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 18:22:02 +0000

Nine Student Undergraduate Research Fellows Present Summer Projects sarah.matarell… Wed, 08/05/2026 - 14:22

Nine Student Undergraduate Research Fellows Present Summer Projects

2026 SURF Cohort and Faculty Mentors

Faculty members provide mentorship and valuable experiential learning opportunity through annual SURF program

Nine Student Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) across several disciplines presented their research after spending 10 weeks working on their projects on campus this summer. The SURF program is an opportunity for students to engage in scholarship, research or creative process in collaboration and as modeled by faculty scholars.

"I have never done research before, and this project was built with concepts I didn't really know, so I was scared going into it. But working with Dr. Bauer has been very rewarding. He guided me through the whole process and broke down complex concepts so I could understand them better. I was able to learn a lot about myself as a researcher and also gain new skills in the laboratory and analytically that I'll use in the future," said Junior Chemistry Major, Alyssa Grim.

The SURF program promotes and rewards undergraduate Student Fellow and Faculty Scholar results-driven, collaborative research or creative projects that yield publication and/or presentations. It includes a rigorous process of professional development modeled by faculty, career development opportunities, workshops and experiential learning. Following the program, Student Fellows are expected to present their work at various board meetings and conferences in addition to their cohort presentations.

Alyssa Grim presenting her final chemistry research presentation in collaboration with Dr. Bauer.

"This gave me an opportunity to work with an excellent student outside of just the regular classroom setting. In addition to just doing the research, which was pretty intense and involved a lot of work, we did get to work on some of those skills that you really don't necessarily teach in the classroom," said Associate Professor of Chemistry, Brad Bauer, Ph.D. "Those skills include getting to think like a scientist, being able to tackle problems, reason your way through 'should I do this or that?' Those kinds of little decisions that pop up all the time in research that until you actually do it, you don't get to really have a full appreciation for what it involves."

The program is a grant-funded experience contingent upon the successful completion of the spring semester and registration for the subsequent fall semester. Students may submit one SURF grant per year and receive a $3,000 stipend and free housing. While living on campus, students attend weekly meetings and consultations with their faculty scholar and engage in activities and meals with their cohort.

"We changed things up a little bit this year and did a more interactive first event, and I think that really helped the cohort come together. I'm super impressed with the way that they supported one another," said SURF Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Psychology & Counseling, Erin Way, Ph.D. "They were constantly helping each other, building each other back up. They actually arranged some activities for themselves to do without the faculty to build on that cohort experience. So, I was pleased to hear that many of them are staying in touch and supporting one another as they go forward."

Marcus Ridley working on his SURF physics project with Dr. Teri Price.

	Project Title	Project Field	Faculty Scholar (Mentor)
Alyssa Grim	"Distinguishing Plastic Building Block Brands Using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy"	Chemistry	Brad Bauer
Arizaidith Hernandez-Hernandez	"Low-Cost Monitoring and Preventing Strategies for Mold Risk in Older Residential Housing"	Engineering	Kushal Adhikari
Callie Palerino	"The Effects of Childhood Trauma on College Students' Abilities to Form Social Connections with Peers"	Psychology	Di You
Franchestca Jimenez	"From Family Instability to Gang Affiliation: How Labeling Practices and Social Disconnection"	Criminal Justice	Meg Zuber
Jacob Ohrin	"Fusion-Related Gene Expression Analysis in C2C12 Skeletal Muscle Cell Differentiation"	Biology	Ondra Kielbasa
Liam Grubb	"Surface EMG Signal Processing and Timing Analysis in Stroller Running"	Engineering	Joe Mahoney
Lola Folk	"How Does the Judicial Ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization and Political Rhetoric Relate to Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in Young Women?"	Psychology	Erin Way
Marcus Ridley	"Modeling Collisions Involving the OH Molecule"	Physics	Teri Price
Max Wilson	"The Myth of the Criminogenic Immigrant"	Criminal Justice	Meg Zuber

What's Possible With a Leadership Degree?

jonfassnacht — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 19:34:17 +0000

What's Possible With a Leadership Degree? jonfassnacht Tue, 08/04/2026 - 15:34

Master of Social Work Information Session

jonfassnacht — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:21:17 +0000

Master of Social Work Information Session jonfassnacht Tue, 08/04/2026 - 14:21

���ϲ�����

O'Pake Fellow set up for professional success after logging 500 consulting hours

���ϲ����� to welcome record incoming class this fall

Milestone marks the seventh consecutive year with over 475 new students

���ϲ����� Information Session: December 5

���ϲ����� Information Session: November 21

���ϲ����� Information Session: October 24

���ϲ����� Information Session: October 12

���ϲ����� Information Session: October 10

Nine Student Undergraduate Research Fellows Present Summer Projects

Faculty members provide mentorship and valuable experiential learning opportunity through annual SURF program

What's Possible With a Leadership Degree?

Master of Social Work Information Session

��ϲ��

��ϲ�� to welcome record incoming class this fall

��ϲ�� Information Session: December 5

��ϲ�� Information Session: November 21

��ϲ�� Information Session: October 24

��ϲ�� Information Session: October 12

��ϲ�� Information Session: October 10