Saint Francis University

Biology Student Researching the Effects of Sewage Treatment Outfall on Minnows in Area Streams

Lauren Kesslak of Johnstown, PA, a Biology major, is researching the effects of sewage treatment outfall on minnows in area streams. Certain drugs taken by humans are not removed by sewage treatment plants and are passed into waterways causing male fish to become intersexual. Lauren is surveying the testis of male fish for egg development from samples taken above and below the sewage outfall for Saint Francis University.

In addition to her research, Lauren is involved in campus activities. She is in the Biology Club, is Treasurer of the Scuba Club, and is an Omega Zeta Nu sister. She also plays percussion and trumpet in the University's Pep Band.

Religious Dimensions of Distance Running Research Presented at Conference 

Andy McKee of Pittsburgh, PA, a History & Political Science major, represented Saint Francis University at the 4^th annual North American Undergraduate Conference in Religion and Philosophy at Westminster College. He presented his research project about the religious dimensions of distance running. McKee hopes to have his research published in an undergraduate research journal in the fall.

Andy is on the Saint Francis University Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track teams. He serves as Cross Country team Captain. He is on the Saint Francis Academic Honor Roll, Northeast Conference Honor Roll, Northeast Conference Commissioners Honor Roll. He was named to the North Outstanding Young Citizen List, and is a member of the: Student Athlete Mentor Program, History Club, Reserve Township Historical Committee, and is a Heinz History Center Docent Volunteer.

Congressional Internship in Washington, D.C.

Kristina Chunko of Northern Cambria, PA, an Accounting & Management major received Saint Francis University’s Ann Eppard Memorial Scholarship and Congressional Internship.

The Ann Eppard Memorial scholarship and congressional internship is awarded to upper level student that meets the following selection criteria: high academic performance, good communication and research skills, personal integrity and discretion and a general interest in the legislative process. The award is presented in memory of Ann Eppard, who served as a mentor to innumerable interns and staff while serving as Congressman Bud Shuster’s Chief of Staff.

As a Congressional Intern, she worked daily with constituents, conducted research for the Legislative Director, Legislative Assistants, and the Intern Coordinator. She also attended various Congressional meetings and briefings.

Kristina is active on campus; she’s served as an Intern for the Marketing Department, is a member of the Student Government Association, is a Pre-Law Club member, a Delta Sigma Phi Business Honor Society member, and is a Students In Free Enterprise member. She’s on the Dean’s Student Advisory Board and Deans List. She’s also a Jari Center Business Plan Competition Winner. She’s the recipient of the Richard Dorsey Muller Memorial Scholarship.

Pittsburgh International Airport Internship

Tim Smith of Ebensburg, PA, a Marketing and Management major, completed an internship in the Air Service Development Department of the Pittsburgh International Airport. Tim was responsible for developing promotional materials and events for Delta and United Airlines. He acted as the communications liaison between the Air Service Department and the airlines. He performed marketing research and developed a content management database for the Air Service Department.

Tim’s other activities and accomplishments include: Vice President of Students In Free Enterprise, member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board.

Internship Experience Nabs Student a Job at Clorox

Julie Yasko of Pittsburgh, PA, a Marketing and Management major, was one of twelve candidates selected nationwide for Clorox Brand Camp in Oakland, CA. She participated in a Case Study Competition during her time in California. Four student teams were presented with a situation regarding one of Clorox’s brands and given historical data on the product and asked to review the information. In addition, teams were responsible for preparing an analysis on how to utilize 1,000,000 dollars in discretionary funds for the brand. Teams were given three hours to prepare a presentation to showcase their findings.

Yasko’s team won the Case Competition and has accepted an offer with the company. She will work for Clorox as an Associate Marketing Manger in California after graduation.

Julie is a leader on campus, as evidenced by her role as President of Students In Free Enterprise. She is a member of Saint Francis’ Division I Cross Country/Track and Field team, the Sole Student representative on the Dr. Albert Zanzucki Endowed Chair Steering Committee, a member of Best Buddies and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Julie is recipient of Target’s Intern MVP award, recipient of Undergraduate Research Grant for work with personal Honors Thesis “Gender, Leadership and Advertising: An experiment on perceptions of the gender based portrayal of leadership roles.” Julie is in the Saint Francis Academic Honors Program, on the Deans List, is an Athletic and Academic Scholarship recipient. She is also a member of: Delta Epsilon Sigma, National Honor Society, Deans Advisory Board for the School of Business, Sigma Beta Delta International Business Honor Society, and Northeast Conference Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll.

Service Trips to Dominican Republic and Honduras

Jeremy Gorsuch of Johnstown, PA, a Physician Assistant major minoring in Biology, Spanish, Global Cultures and Languages, traveled to the Dominican Republic over Spring Break to provide medical care assistance to underprivileged people of the Dominican Republic. In addition, Jeremy participated in last year’s spring break Hugs for Honduras Medical Mission Trip. In Honduras, he acted as a medical Spanish interpreter with the medical team. Jeremy has taken advantage of the study abroad opportunities at Saint Francis and also spent time studying in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

Even though he travels abroad frequently, Jeremy remains active on campus, being involved in: Phi Sigma Iota International Foreign Language Honor Society, Iota Iota Chapter at Saint Francis University, Delta Epsilon Sigma National Honor Society, Chi Chapter at Saint Francis University, To be Named One of Top Ten Seniors for Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities, Saint Francis University Presidential Scholarship, Lee Auxiliary Emily Lee Scholarship, George F. Wheeling Athletic and Educational Trust Fund Scholarship, PHEAA PATH Grant from Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, MCLean Scholarship for Nursing and Physician Assistant Majors, SFU Physician Assistant Student Society, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Best Buddies Midnight Madness, and SFU Student Health Fair 2008 Co-Coordinator.

Presidential Scholarship Recipient Serves as President of Physician Assistant Student Society 

Jesse Gronsky of Danville, PA, a Physician Assistant major, received the Presidential Scholarship from Saint Francis University. He serves on various organizations on campus, including his role as President of the Physician Assistant Student Society. He serves as Secretary of Students Working Against Tobacco, is a School of Health Science Representative for the Student Government Association, and is a Psi Upsilon Fraternity member.

As the Physician Assistant Society President, Jesse Gronsky is responsible for fundraising for charitable organizations. He is accountable for hosting two meetings per month and obtaining one Physician Assistant speaker per month for the society. He is in charge of SPARK (freshman mentoring program). He is also involved in suturing lecture, medical equipment sales, lab coat sales and Relay for Life.

Student Organizes Mission Trip

McKenzie Madore of State College, PA, a Physician Assistant major, organized and participated in Saint Francis University’s mission trip to Nazareth Farm last spring. Nazareth Farm is located in the countryside of Doddrige County, West Virginia. Madore and six other students from Saint Francis University stayed at a rural farmhouse with other college students from around the country. During their week stay, Madore acted as a ministry volunteer and made various home repairs for the underserved population. She was able to meet with underserved community members and helped them update their current residential homes. She was also given the opportunity to participate in prayer and faith learning exercises during her mission trip.

Madore is in the Honors Program at Saint Francis University. She is an active member of the Saint Francis University swim team, where she serves as team captain and recently helped her team win the NEC Championship.

Madore is a member of the Honors Program, Who’s Who of American Colleges and Universities, Athletic Department Honor Roll, Deans List, Student Ambassador, and is a Resident Assistant.