Business Administration Success Stories

Prepared for Business

Our Business Administration alumni reach higher and go farther than they ever thought was possible. They are well-prepared to enter the job market and use the skills and values they learned at SFU to make a positive impact on the business world. From positions at national corporations, the government, and their own companies, they are well-prepared for success.

Julie Yasko ‘10 - Major at SFU: Marketing

• Associate Marketing Manager with The Clorox Company, Oakland, CA

“Saint Francis provided me with remarkable personal and professional development opportunities. The campus fosters an amazing sense of community that enables students to take personal responsibility for their learning and extracurricular activities. Involvement is highly valued and faculty are engaged and helpful. I certainly feel that my time at the university positively impacted both my career and my character.”

Melinda Oleska- ‘99 - Major at SFU: Accounting

• Audit Project Manager with the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General, Arlington, VA

Melinda offers advice for SFU Business students, “Do what you can to obtain real-world experience during your sophomore and / or junior years, such as an internship. It will be beneficial as a resume-builder, and it will also give you an idea of whether you will enjoy a specific job within your field.”

Diane Trkula Sheedy- ‘88 - Major at SFU: Accounting

• Associate with PNC Capital Markets and Certified Public Accountant with four securities licenses

When Diane began her freshman year at Saint Francis she was interested in business, but did not have a clear career path in mind. She enrolled in general business classes and her career objectives became clear with help of Dr. Randy Frye. He noted her abilities in his Intermediate Accounting I class and encouraged Diane to consider majoring in Accounting. "Needless to say, I followed Dr. Frye's advice and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a minor in Economics. By the end of the fall semester of my senior year I had job offers from five Big Eight public accounting firms."

Amber Pyo- ‘05 - Major at SFU: Marketing; Management Information Systems minor

• Associate Consumer Market Insight Manager with Unilever, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Amber offers advice to SFU Business students, “Don’t be afraid to take a chance. The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. Challenge yourself every day of your life!”

Marisa Gentile- ‘03 - Major at SFU: Accounting; Management minor

• Business Advisory Services Senior with Schneider Downs & Co, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA

“Saint Francis provided me with confidence that I would succeed in my career and personal life. The professors and other faculty and staff members truly care about ongoing success of the students and alumni. I truly enjoyed my four years at Saint Francis and am continuing to work with the School of Business as an alumnus.”

Patrick Koehl- ‘97

• Junior Auditor at KPMG Peat Marwick, Pittsburgh, PA

"Saint Francis faculty bent over backwards to help me became successful. The relationships I have at Saint Francis enable me to relate to professionals and helped me with my interviewing skills."

Mark Spochart- ‘97

• Tax Accountant with Coopers & Lybrand, Harrisburg, PA

"Saint Francis helped me move to this next step. The interviewing process was less stressful with the help of business administration professors who helped me network through Saint Francis graduates currently employed by Coopers & Lybrand."

Michele Mathers- ‘95

• Director of Marketing for Action Sports Division of AIRWALK

"Because of their own professional experience, Saint Francis professors add the dimension of real-life to the educational process. The practical aspect of teaching was a huge factor in preparing me for a career."

J. Domenic Calkins- ‘92

• District Manager of the Pontiac-GMC Division of General Motors, Atlanta, GA

Domenic Calkins graduated from Saint Francis with a degree in economics/management. Domenic then pursued his Master of Business Administration degree at Notre Dame University.
"Success in life is more important than success professionally. The Saint Francis Business Administration Department helped prepare me for a successful life, not just success in my career."

Paul Friga- ‘88 - Majors at SFU: Management and Accounting

• Associate Professor and Director of Consulting Concentrations with Kenan-Flagler School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Paul's advice for SFU Business students: “Serve others. Realize that all of our talents are gifts from God and should be used to help as many people as possible. Follow your passion. Focus your energy on things that excite you and you will be much happier in life. Understand the importance of hard work. Great things come to those who are willing to work hard and pay their dues.”

“The lessons I learned at SFU – both inside and outside of the classroom – were the most important building blocks in my life. In the classroom, I learned the basics of business and accounting, the role of logic in problem solving, and how liberal arts courses demonstrate that life is multi-variable. Outside the classroom, I learned that incredible role models we have right under our noses, the value of discipline, and how important it is to have fun once in a while. Overall, I learned what it means to seek to become a well-rounded and well educated contributor to society. Thank you, Saint Francis University!"

Paul Sansone- ‘88 - Majors at SFU: Accounting and Economics

• Chief Financial Officer with Better World Books, Atlanta, GA

“Invest in yourself through education, experiences, and relationships. Saint Francis was a great environment and education experience, which prepared me to achieve my personal and professional goals.”

Tom McElroy- ‘77 - Major at SFU: Accounting

• Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer with Hughes Communications, Inc. in Germantown, MD

“Do not take things for granted. Team work is key, but the individual makes the difference. If it is to be, it is up to me. Saint Francis provided a great experience for me. I not only received a well-rounded education, but it enabled me to grow and develop tremendous relationships, which I treasure to this day."

Lawrence T. Giannone- ‘72

• Chairman, President and CEO of Portage National Bank

“Saint Francis is a religious and social experience that has helped develop leadership traits critical to my position as CEO."