#husky4life

[bloomuengaged]

Mentoring Part of the Pack

After three years in the army as an X-ray technologist, Ken Roszel ‘81 /’94M joined a little-known rural hospital in Danville called The George F. Geisinger Memorial Hospital. At the time, the hospital had a school for aspiring radiologic technologists, and Roszel found a love of teaching his craft. So, with his GI bill in hand, Roszel enrolled in Bloomsburg University’s BS program in Medical Imaging with an emphasis on education.

“At the time, you could go to a hospital-based school for a certificate and be set for life as a registered technologist,” said Roszel.

Sometimes, timing is everything. Around the time Roszel graduated from Bloom, the Geisinger school hired him as a clinical coordinator to assist the program director and oversee the clinic. He coordinated clinical schedules for students and taught several classes. Roszel enjoyed the educational aspect of his role so much that he returned to BU for his MS in Instructional Technology.

“It Looked interesting, and I wanted to know more about education,” said Roszel. “I needed more, but I didn’t know what ‘more’ was. I never thought I was Master’s material, but I liked what I heard and gave it a try.”

Not long after he received his M.S.I.T. degree, however, the rules that allowed one to become a certified technologist via a hospital program changed and a B.S. degree was now required. Geisinger’s program was one of many to close under the new requirements, and fortunately Roszel was hired by Geisinger Health Plan to oversee the newly created Member Education department.

“Having that degree saved me,” said Roszel. “Without it, I would not have been considered for the position with GHP.”

It wasn’t long, however, that the closing of so many hospital-based programs across the country created a shortage of technologists. Geisinger reopened the school, and today provides BU medical imaging students the opportunity to apply and intern at the facility. The close proximity means that nearly all of the students are Huskies, and Roszel is able to continue his association with and support of Bloomsburg University by acting as the on-site supervisor for Medical Imaging interns and a speaker on campus.

“I see students enter the profession with very little knowledge or skill and over time see their confidence and knowledge growing to the point where I would trust any of my students to radiograph my wife,” explained Roszel, whose former student did indeed have his wife as a patient. “I see them all coming in as blank slates and leaving as seasoned technologists, and it gives me a lot of pride and a sense of accomplishment.”

The internship program not only offers Geisinger the chance to see which students may be a good fit for the program, but it allows Huskies to have an edge when it comes time to move from student to professional. For Roszel, it is a win-win. Not only does he get to guide students as their supervisor, but he also gets to stay in close contact with his alma mater and assist other Huskies in their first career move.

“I really cherish the fact that I can continue to be part of BU through this process of being an intern site supervisor,” concluded Roszel. “Not only did I receive my degrees there, but now continue to be part of the process even if I’m not on campus. I greatly appreciate that.”

[bloomsburgu]

I'm a Husky

A a graduating senior, Kevin Pham is an economics major from Cedar Knolls, N.J.

"BU has taught me how to come out of my shell," Pham says. "Coming in freshman year, I was extremely shy, I barely knew anyone, and I didn't know how to make the most of my time here in college. But Bloomsburg helped me discover who I am and helped me connect with so many supportive friends."

[themccpodcast]

Episode #100 w/ @iamhusky4life Casey Webb on the #podcast we talk about hosting #manvsfood #bestplacestopigout and more #linkinbio #subscribe now #everyonehasastory #podcasting #themccpodcast #instagood #husky4life #themancavechronicles #applepodcasts #podbean #spotify #nomnom #popculture #tv #foodnetwork #foodlife #igdaily #follow #comedy #foodgasm #foodlovers #travelchannel #cookingchannel #travel #foodporn https://www.instagram.com/p/BuXelyDhJVm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19tmmogf2shxf

[liziml-blog]

Best in my life, being with mom every second... Love u mom @lizfermejia #happyhusky #huskieslove #huskyph #huskynation #huskysofig #huskysofinstagram #huskies_of_instagram #huskiesofig #huskies #huskiegram #huskyphoto #huskyphotography #dogsofinstagram #dogstagram #dogphotography #dogportrait #dogpage #photosofinstagram #photooftheday #dogoftheday #husky4life #huskycolombia #huskycute #huskyclub #huskygirl #huskyeverything #huskyselfie #selfiewithmydog #selfiewithmyhusky (en Medellín, Antioquia)

[stuwold14]

On my way to Northgate, stop over at the beautiful #UDUB campus. #Husky4Life #WoofWoof #PNW #Purple&Gold

[khmerography]

Tonight is the only time I'll cheer for the #OregonDucks. #husky4life

[aureliacdj]

Stumbled upon another milestone, 19 & graduated 🎓🎉 for now 😊 the past four years have definitely been the greatest thus far but i have more than enough 'sure' that our best years still lie ahead of us, congraduations class of 2k14, we finally made it! 🙏👊😂 #blessedbeyondmeasure #classof2014 #godawgz #proudhusky #Husky4Life #universityofwashington #UW #UWgrad14 (at Husky Stadium)

[bloomuengaged]

Bringing 25 Years of Experience to Help Future Teachers.

Brian Blubaugh ’95 was recruited for cross country and track team at Bloomsburg University. Little did he know that the decision would prepare him for a long and satisfying career in elementary education.

Teacher preparation has been a part of Bloomsburg University since its founding as a literary institute and later a state normal school. In 1839, 1995, and today, the professional development and field experience necessary for a successful transition from student to classroom teacher were immediate.  In addition to classroom instruction, Huskies must spend hours observing different grades, classrooms, and teachers and complete an entire semester of student teaching. Some also elect to complete a practicum experience at a local school district. Blubaugh says that experience was essential to his own success.

“They start you right away,” said Blubaugh. “Professors nailed down all the different ways to instruct students, [but] those field experiences were just as important so we could start teaching right away once we graduated.”

Blubaugh was hired on the spot in Loudoun County, Virginia, after making the trip just before Thanksgiving break of his senior year. His roommate and friend, Matt Croyle, was hired just a few months later, making the transition to a new career and a new state easier. Now, after 25 years in the district, he serves as Principal of Algonkian Elementary in Sterling, VA. Blubaugh volunteered to help future Husky teachers through the Collaborating to Assist Teacher Candidate Hiring (CATCH) Conference and the Education Career Connections Expo.  

“I give all credit to Bloomsburg,” said Blubaugh. “It is something little I can do since I was prepared so well.  I’ve been in Loudoun for 25 years. I owe it to them to give back.”

Some may think that they may not have the time or much insight to offer current students, but Blubaugh disagrees. He says that every alum can give insight into the hiring process, how best practices and technology have changed, and how what students are learning now will be relevant once they graduate. He says it’s also fun to see how things have (or haven’t) changed since the last time on campus and networking with other professionals.

“It has been great talking to the dean of education and other teachers on panels and learn how they’ve handled the pandemic with their student teachers. We are all dealing with the same issues, so it’s good to hear what the students can do and help them package it in an interview in a way that the principal will hire you.”

Blubaugh also challenges the idea that volunteering needs to take a lot of time, especially now that alumni can volunteer virtually over Zoom. He encourages his fellow alumni to reach out to their department and make themselves available to students.

“It’s been easier virtually because there is no travel.  The university’s ultimate goal is to have students be successful, and there are a lot of alumni that can talk about what they’re doing, how they got there, and what they’ve learned along the way.  Everyone has 15 minutes to give back. It doesn’t need to take long.”

[bloomsburgu]

I'm a Husky

A graduating senior, Comfort Nyesuah is health sciences major from Philadelphia in the pre-accelerated second degree nursing program. Among her involvement at BU include the National Advancement Association for Colored People, Husky PAWS, BOG scholar, Gospel Choir , CGA, Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society.

"Bloomsburg not only taught me to be a leader but helped me grow in different aspects of my life, along with realizing there's always room for improvement and further opportunities. I'm different today then my first day as a freshman because not only have I grown mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally but now I can finally say 'I made it!'"

Nyesuah says BU has prepared her well for her next step, particularly through her internship with the Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital that led to her getting hired as a certified nursing assistant during her senior year in the Medical Surgery Unit.

"Along with those excelling science courses, Lord knowns I'll never forget about," Nyesuah says. "Which will be very helpful in my next journey. They definitely prepared me for nursing school. How can I forget about the 206 bones in the human body!"

Following graduation Nyesuah will be attending an accelerated nursing program in Philadelphia and then onto graduate school pursuing a master's degree as a nurse practitioner with hopes of working in the NICU.

"What I'm going to miss the most about BU is the amount of opportunities it's given me, the resources that has opened doors for me and the relationships I have made here," Nyesuah says. "From the faculty who cared deeply about my success and helped me succeed to the friends who will be the bridesmaid at my wedding. Those relationships are unforgettable ones."

[themccpodcast]

Episode #100 w/ @iamhusky4life Casey Webb on the #podcast we talk about hosting #manvsfood #bestplacestopigout and more #linkinbio #subscribe now #everyonehasastory #podcasting #themccpodcast #instagood #husky4life #themancavechronicles #applepodcasts #podbean #spotify #nomnom #popculture #tv #foodnetwork #foodlife #igdaily #follow #comedy #foodgasm #foodlovers #travelchannel #cookingchannel #travel #foodporn https://www.instagram.com/p/BuZYM1JhY4y/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=mlu9yiwahvb6

[liziml-blog]

since yesterday i been so sick, but with mom's care today i so much better🐺 #happyhusky #huskieslove #huskyph #huskynation #huskysofig #huskysofinstagram #christmas #christmasdog #huskies_of_instagram #huskiesofig #huskies #huskiegram #huskyphoto #huskyphotography #dogsofinstagram #dogstagram #dogphotography #dogportrait #dogpage #photosofinstagram #photooftheday #dogoftheday #husky4life #huskycolombia #huskycute #huskyclub #huskygirl (en Medellín, Antioquia)

[mexicanoj11]

Hardest decision of my life

Not returning to UConn for Spring semester.

[liberalmurse-blog]

Drinking my red wine for the True Blood Season Finale out of a Northeastern wine glass....fuckyeahHuskyPride!!!

[bloomuengaged]

Allan Myers Executive Brings Business Opportunities to Fellow Huskies

Ken Griffin '99 was not the first Husky in his family. Introduced to Bloomsburg University by his elder sister, he fell in love with the campus' size and beauty. He enrolled as an Accounting major to seize the opportunities of the business world, and now that he's established, he is bringing those opportunities to fellow Huskies.

"I loved the setting," explained Griffin. "It was big enough where you may not see the same people over the semester, but the classes were small, and there was a lot of interaction with the professors. I liked that. Bloomsburg was a great experience."

Now the Corporate Controller for ALLAN MYERS, Griffin remembers accounting firms regularly coming to interview students before they even graduated. Although he resented the challenging classes and the long hours, he grew to appreciate the rigor once he graduated.

"Some of my exams were two hours outside of class, and I remember thinking, 'Why are we doing this?'" recalled Griffin, "Once I got out and sat for the CPA Exam, I appreciated the rigor and toughness they put on us."

Griffin started in public accounting with Kreischer-Miller. He earned his CPA before moving to the private industry with the real estate investment company Pitcairn Properties.

During the 2008 recession, Griffin learned of an opportunity of Corporate Controller at Allan Myers. This spring, Griffin celebrated ten years with the company and was happy to help Allan Myers recruit fellow Huskies. He called the experience of returning to campus "humbling."

"I reached out to Dr. Shapiro after graduating more than 15 years ago, and he remembered who I was. He cares about his students, and that says a lot," explained Griffin. "He has helped pick up our recruiting. We had so many students coming to our table looking for internships and jobs. It was nonstop for hours, and it was a challenge to whittle down the great candidates."

Griffin is confident these new Husky hires have chosen a great company at which to start their careers. Allan Myers, a heavy highway construction company that boasts the largest revenue in the mid-Atlantic, began operations on the family dairy farm in 1939. That farm is now the corporate campus site for the company that employs 2200 people in blue and white-collar positions.

"We have so many smart individuals in our company that I continue to learn things from everyone I interact with," said Griffin. "I am challenged by new things constantly. We are always trying to do something different to stay on the leading edge."

Griffin says that not only does the company have a culture of lifelong learning, but it is also one of caring for each other on a personal level.

"The CEO cares about everybody within the company; truly cares," explained Griffin. "He is down to earth. It's an amazing company that challenges its employees and allows them to learn new things."

Two examples are the internal leadership programs; one for new employees (Developing Emerging Leaders) and one for seasoned employees (Leadership Intensive). Both are approximately a year in length and include projects, presentations, and professional development.

"The Leadership Intensive program was the best experience ever," said Griffin. "At a certain stage of your career, you get to a place where you think you've got it, and I found out I didn't."

Just under 20 BU grads have joined Allan Myers during the time Griffin has been with the company, some before they even began their senior year. Griffin says that today's Huskies are even more so prepared as he was in 1999.

"I didn't go to any career fairs when I was a student - I was lucky to have submitted a resume," explained Griffin. "It's amazing how well they are prepared."

The experience, he says, has been mutually beneficial.

"It has been a great experience getting back involved with the university and talking to the students," said Griffin. "You don't know all the opportunities that are out there when you first get out. I love sharing my experiences and my career path to give them an idea of what's out there."

[bloomuengaged]

Providing Huskies their First Professional Fit

After ten years in the special education classroom, Shawn Tuttle ‘88 came to the Harrisburg School District as an assistant principal in 1999 before being tapped to be a special education supervisor for the district. Although her first love is classroom teaching, Tuttle has found a new love in working with special education teachers, students, and parents across the entire Harrisburg School district. She has found that she especially enjoys giving new teachers their professional start and guiding seasoned teachers through the challenges of the last year.

“I love when I get to see the students learning,” said Tuttle. “They want to show me what they’re learning and doing. [But I also] love working with the teachers and really helping them build their capacity and raise their own bar.”

Tuttle is proud of her district and the innovative ways staff remained focused on a holistic approach to education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Innovation that many new graduates find attractive when searching for that first professional fit. 

“We are an innovative district,” said Tuttle. “It has been a true challenge with the pandemic, but we’re going to come out on the stronger side. Our teachers incorporate so much technology to teach and give the students various means and avenues to learn.”

Because of her recruiting efforts, several Huskies were part of that innovation. HASD frequently hires special ed teachers and Tuttle has recently taken a more proactive approach to hiring and recruiting. Tuttle first participated in a spring career expo on the BU campus, and later expanded to on-campus interviews where she hired three Huskies on the spot. Most recently, Tuttle participated in the Collaborating to Assist Teacher Candidate Hiring (CATCH) Conference and says that current BU students are much more prepared than she felt when she first started.

“During the interview, they were well-spoken and well versed about courses they had,” explained Tuttle. “The three [Bloom] students I hired have done a phenomenal job.  

Although the students are well prepared for their first classroom, Tuttle still provides advice and guidance at campus events like CATCH. She always stresses that candidates know their preferred assignment and setting and be upfront with themselves and their employers, as well as gathering  teaching experience outside of the required observations to add value to one’s resume.

“Districts look to see what you have done or can do within an educational setting. It tells us you’re invested,” explained Tuttle “Only you know where your strengths and weaknesses are, and you really want to find the right fit for you.” 

Once a new teacher finds that fit, it is assumed that they will need a fair amount of coaching and encouragement. But even veteran teachers are not beyond someone like Tuttle to help them navigate the seismic shifts in education today.

“I always remember what it was like when I started and what I needed,” explained Tuttle. “No longer will we be regular teachers in front of the classroom. We are not going back to the old way of teaching.”

[bloomuengaged]

Navigating Life - Not According to Plan

Giovanna Andrews planned on being a teacher when she first toured campus, but soon learned that life rarely goes according to plan. Fortunately, through grit, determination, and campus and community support, Andrews has continued her climb as a digital media and web content creator for the Wilmington, DE city council and founder of her own non-profit. She regularly returns to campus, albeit virtually, to help other students navigate their career journey.  

“I knew I wanted to come to Bloom when I visited, and early on, my journey was filled with amazing people who supported me every step of the way”, recalled Andrews. “That sent the tone for my time at BU.”

Andrews nearly didn’t enroll that first fall because of finances, and throughout her time at BU, Andrews changed her plan and her major three times. She finally settled on Communication Studies with a track in Leadership and Public Advocacy in her senior year. While on campus, Andrews served as a Community Assistant and a Husky Ambassador, and was a member of several honor societies and volunteer organizations on and off campus. She credits those extracurricular experiences with opening up opportunities and bringing her out of her shell and noticing areas of need in the community, while her academics taught her how to advocate to fill those needs.

“My education and experience taught me how to recognize flaws in the system, what I needed to do to fix them, and how to push for change. My degree has also helped me become a marketable professional and navigate local government. I owe that to BU.”

Support remained a theme to Andrew’s experience her entire time at BU, especially when plans changed again her senior year with the news that she was expecting a baby. BU faculty, staff and community organizations helped Andrews persevere and graduate on time – two months before her daughter, Isabella Harper was born.

“For many pregnant women, transitioning to motherhood is their sole focus, but I was still a student; I was still giving tours. I knew I couldn’t fail any of my classes; I had to graduate on time.”

Her plans may have changed drastically, but by the time Isabella was born, Andrews had the knowledge and experience to adjust and push her volunteerism to the next level. Inspired by the support she received as a student, Andrews founded Harper’s Heart in 2018; a non-profit organization that helps new and expectant mothers gain the items they need to make a successful transition into motherhood.  And as a first-generation college student, Andrews says that the support and knowledge she received at BU has not only allowed her to be successful, but also inspired her to give back to her pack. She has volunteered as an alumni panelist for BU’s annual Day of Dialogue and Careers in Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Conference [CASSHCON] and imparted her words of wisdom to new Huskies and their supporters with a video series for first year students.

“Education changed my life and I adored my time at BU.  There were ups and downs but I was definitely molded into the woman I am today and I want to share that with current students.“

Despite the breadth of experience and the wide skillset Andrews now employs to make other people’s lives better, she has not forgotten what it was like to be a student, and the importance of current students seeing themselves represented in the young professionals who return to campus to help.

“Bloom does a great job of bringing alumni back to campus,” recalled Andrews. “As a student, I had the chance to talk to alumni and it was like a mirror: ‘You were a Communications major and you’re doing what?’. I knew I could continue on because I saw where it could lead and it’s our duty as alumni to come back and get other huskies started.”

“I love the opportunity to speak to BU students about having a plan but still being able to go with the flow,” concluded Andrews.  “I went to the same school, lived in the same dorms, took the same classes. I am a living and breathing example of where they can be in life.  It’s been awesome.”