Biopsychology major Melissa Kay McCarthy ’11 talks about her twin passions—music and helping people with mental health issues—and how those two paths converged with the July 2022 release of her first studio album, "Hourglass."

When Justin McKnight graduated in 2000 from Pennsylvania's Bucknell University, he was the first in his family to get a college degree, thanks to athletic scholarships he earned for his skills in an unusual sport. McKnight went on to earn a master’s degree in mental health counseling in 2016 from Viterbo University, where he taught as an adjunct professor before taking on the position of Viterbo’s director of counseling services.

Maria Morgan-Bathke was working as a post-doctoral fellow at Mayo Clinic in Rochester in 2015 when she realized she had a passion for teaching that was unfulfilled. She found a home at Viterbo, where she directs the dietetic internship program and has chaired the science department since 2020. She also earned an MBA from Viterbo and this year started a business, Dr. Maria’s Nutrition & Wellness.

Since graduating from Viterbo in 2013 with a degree in music theatre, Jhardon DiShon Milton has put his performing skills to good use in television shows, plays, and musicals, including roles in Broadway productions of A Bronx Tale and, most recently Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biopsychology, Jed Barton devoted a year to volunteer service. Meanwhile, Barton, who has completed work on his master’s degree in servant leadership, also volunteered his time with an affordable housing organization and an LGBTQ+ youth program.

Earning his Master of Arts in Education degree from Viterbo set Mark Gruen on a path out of the classroom and into educational leadership that would see him honored twice with statewide awards for excellence in school district administration.

When Libby Weber was working on her MBA at Viterbo, the name chosen for her cohort was the Tuesday Sherpas, a reference to the day classes met and the mountain climbing guides. Little did she know that 10 years later, she would be CEO of The Weber Group and facing a long, steep climb indeed.

Imagine loving your job for 37 years. Donna (Role) Nelson doesn’t have to imagine. Her passion to serve others and her community as a nurse made sure of that. “As Mahatma Ghandi said, ‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,’” Nelson said.

A standout on the basketball court, Rebecca (Arndt) Crecente graduated with a biology degree from Viterbo, going on to earn a doctoral degree from Duke University's top-flight physical therapy program. Now a a board-certified clinical specialist in sports physical therapy, she mentors physical therapy students in South Carolina.

A business major who played baseball and basketball, Brian Soller credited the scholarships for making his education possible. He has made it a mission to show gratitude for that help and pay it forward, establishing a scholarship fund for basketball players and serving since 2014 on the Viterbo Board of Trustees.