STAYIN G CO NNEC TED A LU MN I N E W S
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS President
Keith Schomig ’13, ’17 President-Elect
Alumni Spotlight: Michael Beshel ’06, ’08, ’14 Michael Beshel has
extremely important as my new role kept me in the
been a model USF
office 60–70 hours per week. I needed to be able to
graduate student…
do my classwork at my time, and at all hours of the
three times! Beshel
day and night,” explained Beshel.
received his master’s
degree in Health
beckoned to Beshel again as he started looking into
Administration in 2006,
doctorate programs. Many of them required
his MBA in 2008, and
students to have an MSN. He once again reached out
then decided to return
to USF to explore his options. Since he had many
Two years later, the University of St. Francis
Caroline Portlock ’02, ’04 Past President
Shawn Walsh ’00, ’15 Vice President for Constitution
Jason Whiteside, J.D., ’00 Vice President for Programs
Erika Martinez ’11, ’15 Vice President for Scholarships
Karen Ciarlette ’94, ’97 Vice President for Young Alumni & Student Engagement
Candice Quinerly ’10 Secretary
Wihelmine Vidmar ’68
master’s credits through his previous degrees, it made
Sisters of St. Francis Representative
obtaining an MSN through USF easy. He was able to
Sr. Lois Prebil, OSF ’61
like Beshel exhibits hard work, loyalty, and a true
complete it all online.
Faculty Representative
commitment to the Franciscan values of respect,
Joseph Ferrallo ’85, ’06, ’07
integrity, service and compassion.
knowledge that helped to prepare me for new roles,
and helped me to become a great leader in the health
and obtain an MSN in 2014. Often referred to as a “triple-alum” at USF, an individual with three degrees
Beshel’s first degree was obtained in a traditional
“Each one of these degrees gave me different
Student Representatives Victoria Daugherty Ava O’Connor
three-year program at a satellite campus in
systems I was working for. In fact, it allowed me the
Roberto Santillan
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which was very close to the
opportunity to move up in the organization to the
Alumni & Family Relations Office
hospital facility where he worked at the time. He
highest role in the nursing department for several
Aubrey Knight ’04, ’07, Director
learned about the University of St. Francis through
years, which actually has afforded me the opportunity
some advertising materials that came to the hospital.
for an early retirement,” he said.
“I was so appreciative of the flexibility of the USF
When asked for advice on how to keep balanced
Ashleigh Dillon ’13, ’15, Assistant Director
GENERAL BOARD MEMBERS
Matthew Bisek ’10
program. It allowed me to continue with my very
while obtaining a degree, Beshel had good suggestions.
busy schedule as a nurse executive, and also maintain
my family life while raising three children at the time,”
will gain you. Second, be sure that you have a
he said.
good contact with the university who can guide you
Sharon Dewart ’78
through the correct order of classes. Through all
Elmer F. Eddy ’80
advocated for USF and shared information with the
of my degrees, USF staff members were always
Jacqueline A. Edmonson ’63, ’88, ’94
nurses he oversaw, to see if he could get more
outgoing and helpful, ensuring that we, as students,
Laura Eggert ’09, ’13
of them signed up for the USF experience. That first
were obtaining our goals,” advised Beshel. “And
H. Richard Hagen, J.D., ’90
degree also got him promoted from director of
finally, make sure you only take on as much as you can
Linda M. Kilroy ’72
nursing to chief nursing officer. With the promotion,
handle in your work, school and family life.”
Eric Lawhead ’07
and the business responsibilities that came with
Frances H. Naal ’58
the role, Beshel felt strongly that he needed to
relocated to Florida. He may consider some type of
Jan Novotny ’67
return to school again—this time to enhance his
part-time role in the future, but for now, he’s happy
L. Scott Pekol ’99
business background.
and comfortable.
Alan Randolph ’07
Corey Richardson ’09
Beshel liked the program so much that he
“I returned to my alma mater to obtain my MBA.
The program offered by USF was amazing and allowed
“First, always make sure you know what the degree
After his retirement, Beshel and his wife
“The education I received from USF has given me
a life that many could only wish for,” he said.
me to complete the entire program online, which was
Patricia Bracken ’73, ’86, ’94 Judith M. Bulat ’72 Danielle Ciechanski ’08
Susan Rogina ’94, ’99 Anne-Christine (Tompkins) Day ’13, ’14
STAY IN TOUCH
Upcoming alumni events are listed at stfrancis.edu/alumni/events.
Check out what’s coming up on the schedule, including the Career Networking & Etiquette Dinner on February 21!
18
Engaging Mind & Spirit Magazine
Send news and class notes to alumni@stfrancis.edu or call 877-811-ALUM.
To read about what other alumni and old friends have been doing, visit stfrancis.edu/alumni/successstories.
