MANOR COLLEGE

ANNUAL GIVING SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

DECEMBER 2014

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

MANOR MEANS BUSINESS

This Annual Giving Society Newsletter highlights four students who graduated from Manor and set out immediately to work in the business sector.

To them, Manor “meant business.” These graduates are employed in a broad spectrum of careers: Veterinary Technology, Dental Hygienist, Information Technology, and Early Childhood Education.

Their experience at Manor helped them focus on their personal and professional development. As with most of our graduates, the lives of these students were turned around by their Manor College education, primarily through their interpersonal relationships with faculty and fellow students. Manor provided them with the most fundamental of college education tools - the solid foundation of critical thinking skills.

Of particular note, the Manor College faculty and staff help raise students’ self-confidence to the point that after graduation they are ready to “get down to business.” Manor instills in its students the virtues of persistence and determination needed to accomplish their professional desires and build successful careers. In addition to these qualities, the faculty works with our students to develop their “soft skills” such as person-to-person interaction that is so vital in today’s marketplace. It is in these “soft skills” that the fundamental Manor Mission Value “respect for life and human dignity,” works interactively with high academic standards.

I am proud that Manor is an integral part of preparing our graduates to participate at a more responsible level in business. Many of our graduates acknowledge that they “grew up at Manor” - as they value the education and personal support they have received, and realize the importance of Manor’s efforts in contributing to their business success.

Sincerely,

Sr. Mary Cecilia Jurasinski, OSBM

Sr. Mary Cecilia Jurasinski, OSBM

President

BRIDGETT GRAY ‘14

FAMILY CHILDCARE BUSINESS

Bridgett Gray graduated from Manor

College in the spring of 2014. She

earned an Associate of Arts Degree

in Early Childhood Education

(ECE.) With this degree she is quali-

fied to open a daycare center and

educate children from pre-K through

the fourth grade. Her parents worked

on the Family Child Care Home

Licensing requirements and by the

time Bridget graduated, the Gray

family was running their own Child

Care business.

“I wasn’t serious about my education

and even though I was taking classes toward a degree in Social Work, I knew I wanted to open my own

daycare. After a little research I discovered Manor,” said Bridget.

She had a great experience from the moment she enrolled at Manor, “In my first classes the teachers

advised us to go to the Learning Center, get extra help and use this valuable resource as we needed it. The

tutoring was free and it made a tremendous difference in my

academic performance. I worked with a student tutor and my math

anxiety disappeared. At Manor the teachers know the students by

their work and they are interested in their students’ progress.

The teachers encourage their students to understand the concepts

and technical material. They don’t just pass their students; they are

genuinely concerned about how well they will do.”

Students in the ECE program keep in touch with each other and

the program director Cherie Crosby. During the two years the

schoolmates work closely together and this closeness often

develops into lifelong friendships. “Ms. Crosby groups people in a

way so that they complement and help one another. I received lots

of encouragement and still today, she’ll surprise me with a helpful

e-mail or phone call. Ms. Crosby is my mentor; I reached her

expectations as a student and now as an educator,” stated Bridget.

Bridgett was on the Dean’s List and received a Basilian Scholar-

ship. She always recommends Manor College, and now her aunt

and one of her friends attend Manor.

ECE Program Director

Cherie Crosby and Bridgett

JOSEPH SPEZIALE ‘07

NOT THE AVERAGE JOE

This October, Joseph Speziale, Manor class of 2007, gave a

presentation to our Information System and Technology

program students. This was the third time Senior Associate

Professor Norma Hall asked Joe to share his academic and

career experience that led him from Manor College to the

University of South Florida and currently to Microsoft.

In his usual casual manner, Joe told the students that while at the

University of Florida he was recruited by Microsoft, the world’s

leading technology company. “I remember the morning when

Microsoft representatives came to the campus to recruit one

person from the 200 graduating Information Technology

seniors. I was still feeling tired from the night before; I got to

bed at three in the morning. When I got to the auditorium it was

packed. There was no way I was standing in line waiting to talk

to a recruiter. I left with the representative’s business card and began to think about what I was going to

write in a pervasive email. I organized my thoughts, wrote a long email explaining why ‘I'm the best

possible candidate for the job and sent it off. One week before graduation, I got a phone call from

Microsoft inviting me to a meeting. There was a room full of contenders. Despite the amount of

competition, I left the meeting feeling positive about my chances. I then received a call from a recruiter

for a phone interview and flew up to Charlotte, NC for a 6 hour face to face interview cycle. One week

after graduation, I was employed by Microsoft.”

Joe emphasized to the students how much his experience at Manor College helped him grow as a person,

and become an adult. He credited this change to his Manor teachers: “They taught me to leave behind my

high school mindset.”

Sr. Assoc. Prof. Norma Hall and Joe

He shared one of the most important lessons that he learned in his business career; “I realized it’s the soft

skills that are so essential to success, even in the technology world.” He called his discovery a ‘light bulb

moment.’ “Live and learn,” he said, “My personal goal is to get my point across and get along with people.

The words you use are important; they help to prevent and resolve conflicts.” Joe also told the students to

take an internship during their college years, gain work experience and practical knowledge working on the

job site.

Joe summed up his presentation with the following words of advice, “As a student and as an employee you

will hear time and time again, ‘Study hard, know your material and respect everyone.” Most successful

people hear these words. They understand and apply the root of the message to their daily lives.

The education I got at Manor introduced me to these concepts, and from there I was able to move

forwards in a career I really enjoy.”

BARBARA DUGAN ‘01

PROUD TO BE A MANOR GRADUATE!

Barbara Dugan, C.V.T., adjunct faculty member, has been

teaching Large Animal Clinic and Emergency Procedures at

Manor College since February of 2007. She is a Manor

graduate.

In 1998, when Barbara enrolled in the Program of Veterinary

Technology at Manor College, she had already earned an

Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from the Community College

of Philadelphia. Despite the fact that the Manor Program of

Veterinary Technology is a challenging, rigorous, medical

science based academic program, Barbara kept her full time

job until she began her externship. For the 24 months,

Barbara was a student with every minute of each day planned

in detail. She was keenly aware that she was building her

academic and career future and loved the school.

She graduated in 2001.

“I tell everybody in the veterinary profession that I am a Manor College graduate,” Barbara said, with

pride. “I have a great respect for my colleagues, particularly Professor Joanna Bassert, V.M.D., the

program director. They have high academic expectations and professionalism. The Program of Veterinary

Technology reflects quality and Manor has a strong passing rate on the board exam,” she explained.

After Barbara graduated, she was employed as a surgical nurse at the Veterinary Specialty Emergency

Center. In 2002, the University of Pennsylvania was looking for veterinary nursing staff for their New

Bolton Center and Barbara began to work there as a veterinary nurse/technician.

Barbara with her favorite horse, Bobcat

Her responsibilities not only include direct patient care, but also teaching students. Here, she teaches

veterinary technology students from Harcum College and veterinary students from the University of

Pennsylvania, as well as, veterinary students from colleges all over the country. She also serves as a

question writer for the Veterinary Technician National Examination.

“Teaching is my favorite part of my work. I focus on good practices; teach the ‘real-world and practical

information.’ I considered becoming a veterinarian; but there is a high demand for skilled veterinary

technicians and I want to promote the field,” said Barbara.

IRYNA LESHAK ‘00

AMERICAN DREAM

When Iryna was asked the purpose of her visit by the US

Customs officer in 1996, she innocently answered: “I come to

see your sister.” The Customs officer stamped her entry with a

laugh and thus began Iryna’s 18 year journey in the United

States. Today she is married, two daughters Olha, 21 years old,

and Michelle, five years old. Iryna works full time as a

Database Administrator.

Iryna graduated from Manor College in 2000 and earned an

Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration and

Computer Science Technology. Like many immigrants, when

she arrived, she hardly spoke English and her academic career

started with English as a Second Language noncredit classes.

“The Ukrainian students relied on one another, we spent a lot

of time studying together in the library,” said Iryna.

“Iryna was an ideal student,” remembered Norma Hall,

Sr. Associate Professor, Director, Information Systems and Technology program at Manor. “She was an

example of determination, talent and perseverance. It is a difficult program to begin, similar to learning a

new language; the words become sentences and the dry memorized grammar rules will make sense later on.

Literarily, and figuratively, Iryna was learning a new language; and her determination is the key to her

success,” explained Professor Hall.

“Manor taught me how to apply my newly gained knowledge to practice. I remember in accounting my

teacher said, ‘Don’t think your general ledger is 30 pages, you will work with hundreds of pages,’ and I did,

when I was hired as an accounting clerk,” recalled Iryna of her first experience in the job. She worked for a

non- profit organization. That organization merged with another, and she is still employed by them;

however her role has changed. “I was good with computers, such as help desk duties. I also understood the

software, recognized and solved problems. I love the challenge posted by obstacles; I learn on my own,

and from developers and consultants. My two year investment at Manor returned to me a great interest.

The future looks bright,” said Iryna.

Sr. Assoc. Prof. Norma Hall and Iryna

JESSICA ASTORGA FREDELL ‘13

A NEW BEGINNING

According to Jessica Astorga Fredell “I made some poor

choices during my senior year of high school. I got

pregnant very close to graduation and I knew I had to

make a serious plan for my future. I decided I wanted to

become a Dental Hygienist. I found Manor College

while researching and looking for two-year education

programs. I contacted Dr. Virginia Saunders, Dental

Hygiene (DH) program director, and she asked me to

come see the facility. She explained the intensity of the

two-year program while guiding me through the clinic.

I made my decision the day I left Manor’s campus and

decided I would begin my studies with the prerequisite

courses. By the time I began the Dental Hygiene

Program my daughter was seven months old. My mom

fully supported me, provided a stable home for us, and

treated my baby like she was her own, so I could

concentrate on my studies,” stated Jessica.

Jessica graduated from Manor College in May 2013, with

an Associate of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene.

After passing the board exams, she worked with a temp agency that provides new and experienced

hygienists with temporary and permanent positions. She didn’t have to temp for long, going from one

office to another before she received an offer at a pediatric office. She recalls the first time she was sent to

the Pediatric Dental Hygiene Office, “I didn’t have too much experience with children and dentistry, but

by the end of the day I just knew that this was where I was meant to be.” Within a week the office

manager called Jessica to offer her a permanent position in her office. Jessica remembers feeling extremely

blessed.

Today, Jessica works in two offices as a Pediatric Dental Hygienist. She also provides care for special

needs patients. “Communication is the key when working with children. You need to have patience and

treat the patients as you would expect your own children to be treated;” she said and continued, “a patient

of mine, who suffers from a developmental delay and many other health issues along with being unable to

communicate fully, recognized me out at a restaurant one night. He opened his arms for a hug and his

embrace almost brought me to tears. He knows and respects me as his clinician. His parents did not

remember my name, but he did. That was just one of the many rewarding moments I have experienced in

just my first year of being a Registered Dental Hygienist.”

She stated, “The Dental Hygiene program at Manor College changed my life. I am providing a future for

my daughter who just started preschool. I did it all for her. It wasn’t just a program for me, it was my new

beginning.”