#buclass2019

Supplying the front lines in the fight against COVID-19

Alex Annan’s first job out of college has not only been the perfect fit for the Bloomsburg University supply chain management graduate, it’s positioned him to be among the key players in the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

And that’s exactly where he wants to be.

“Cardinal Health’s commitment to fulfilling the needs of patients and doctors across the world was very rewarding to me,” says Annan ′19, ′20M, who started at Cardinal Health as a supply chain specialist in July while finishing his Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree requirements. “I believed starting my career at an organization that was known for their supply chain capabilities would help me become a more well-rounded professional.”

Cardinal Health, Inc. is regarded as a leader in providing health care solutions, services and products to pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics across the country. The multinational company has headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, and Dublin, Ireland.

Annan says he’s part of a large team that’s responsible for ensuring medical devices and prescription drugs stored at the company’s Swedesboro, N.J., Distribution Center are being delivered to pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics at the right place, right time, and in the correct amount.

Since March, according to Annan, Cardinal Health has been on the front lines doing its part fighting against COVID-19 by supplying numerous healthcare facilities in the northeast region with essential supplies like gloves, face masks, surgical gowns, prescription drugs and many other important supplies that help doctors and physicians provide aid to COVID and non-COVID patients.

This process — now being played out in real-time — was a foundation of study for Annan as an undergraduate in the AACSB-accredited Zeigler College of Business.

“The curriculum focused on a broad array of topics in supply chain management that gave me exposure and knowledge I use in my everyday tasks,” Annan says. “Topics like lean six sigma, fundamentals of operations management, and logistics are all things I was taught at Bloom that I now use to do my work. The professors also did a great job in giving my peers and I real-world examples and helping us understand the leadership skills needed to excel in a business environment.”  

Adding in his motivation to lead and inspire change, Annan felt it was a fitting next step to pursue an M.B.A. after earning his bachelor’s degree.

I'm a Husky

As a graduating senior, Nora Yakscoe is a communication studies major from Collegeville with a minor in special education. Among her activities at BU include the Special Olympics Bocce Bash and being an Orientation Workshop Leader.

"The lasting impression BU has left on me is the consistent support, encouragement, and positivity offered and displayed throughout my peers, the faculty, staff, and entire community," Yakscoe says. "I'm a completely different person since my first day as a freshman. I was very unsure of everything, everyone, and even myself. Since then, I've been able to progress in my academic career and personal growth."

Though she's excited to graduate, Yakscoe admits it's not going to be easy to say goodbye.

"What am I going to miss most about BU? Of course- the people!" Yakscoe says. "The friendships and memories I've made here are ones that will last forever. Also, a huge thank you, and shout out to my best friend, Kris Igoe (who will also be graduating) for being by my side since freshmen year of college!"

Yakscoe has her eyes set on graduate school.

"My ultimate goal is to positively impact the lives of others in the education system, as many have done for me," Yakscoe says. "BU has most definitely prepared me for the next chapter of my life through volunteerism, leadership positions, and the support from my professors. I was provided a variety of professional opportunities and experiences that have made me the successful student and professional I am today."

I'm a Husky

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

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.

First World graduates ready for the big stage

One step closer for these Class of 2019 members as they were honored this fall during the First World Graduation Ceremony by Bloomsburg University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs.

The bi-annual First World ceremony is celebrated each December and May to congratulate the achievements — academic and leadership roles — of BU’s multicultural students at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels. This class was among the largest ever, according to Madelyn Rodriguez, director of the Multicultural Center.

First World Honorees

Sita Cherif Jr.

Morissa Dougba

Angel Green

Geanna Green

Komeh Lansana

Esthefany Mendoza

Demi Moore

Irvin Mulbah

Avia Nickerson

Comfort Nyesuah

Najha Sealy

Brianna Stevens

Mukalah Upshur

Malik Waters

Asa Whiters

Shalie Williams

Bank branch manager completes 17-year college journey with BASTL degree and 4.0 GPA

Alicia Frederick’s (Enola, Pa.) journey to college graduate began more than 17 years ago with baking and pastry art classes at a school in Rhode Island. The journey will reach a climax on Saturday when she walks across the stage at Bloomsburg University to receive a bachelor of applied science in technical leadership (BASTL) with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

In between the start and end of her journey, she became a wife, mother, and leader in the corporate world, working for 15 years in banking, including the last 12 as a branch manager. The opportunity to graduate from BU first started with Frederick going back to school at Harrisburg Area Community College (HAAC).  

“I started at HACC in 2006 when I was an assistant manager at a bank outside of the Harrisburg area,” said Frederick. “However, I stopped taking classes when I was promoted to branch manager and had a longer commute. Life got ahead of me, and I couldn’t make school a priority. Then in 2014, I took a new job closer to home at M&T Bank. My son was now in middle school, and I found that I could make school a priority again. It always bothered me that I hadn’t finished my degree although I spent more than two years in school.”

As a non-traditional student, Frederick juggled the typical problems of working all day and studying at night.

“You give up all of your ‘free’ time to focus on your education,” said Frederick. “Each semester, I carried 9-12 credits and worked through winter and summer semesters while at HACC and Bloomsburg to complete my degrees as quickly as possible. I graduated with a 3.87 at HACC and will graduate with a 4.0 at Bloomsburg. This means that every free night and weekend was spent on projects, papers, and discussion boards.”

“I also keep a busy schedule outside of my schoolwork,” Frederick added. “Depending on the time of year, I could also have up to three events in the evenings representing my employer. It was a challenge when trying to juggle all of those obligations and still get everything done. It was also challenging when I had group projects with traditional learners who wanted to meet during the day.”

Through all her challenges and headaches, did she never once regret putting herself through the process.

“Absolutely not,” said Frederick. “I knew that I had put so much time and effort into my schooling already; it would have been foolish not to finish.  At 17 years of age, I started at Johnson and Wales University for baking and pastry arts and became homesick rather quickly. As you can imagine, not many of those credits carried over to my associate’s degree. However, with the credits I earned at HACC in my early 20’s, I was closer to finishing up my degree when I returned in 2015. Although it took me almost 14 years start to finish, it was incredibly important for me to finish it. Originally I didn’t intend to get my bachelor’s, but the opportunity at BU was too good to pass up.”

At Bloomsburg, the BASTL program was a perfect fit for Frederick.

“Since I had such a mix of credits, my degree from HACC was in business studies,” said Frederick. “Most universities require a student to take additional classes to have an associate degree in business management before it allows you to transfer. Bloomsburg allowed me the opportunity to transfer my existing degree without requiring me to take anything further. Also, all of my credits from Johnson and Wales transferred over as my electives. When it was all said I done, I only needed to complete 43 credits at Bloomsburg and one additional elective to complete my degree.”

For Frederick, the questions become what will she do next, and where does she want to end up.

“As a branch manager for 12 years, the next logical step is to be a regional retail manager or a business banking relationship manager at M&T,” Frederick continued. “But, I would love to work as a community relations manager where I can interact and assist non-profits and be involved in event planning. Volunteering and planning are both passions of mine.”

Whatever Frederick ultimately ends up doing, one thing is guaranteed, she will have savored the journey to get there.

After consulting with employers who are looking for skilled managers, Bloomsburg University created its Bachelor of Applied Science in Technical Leadership program primarily for individuals with associate degrees who work and need flexibility.