Alumni Achievers
By Jesse Lee
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD — ANN FARESE
There are two reasons why Ann Farese, Med Tech ’74, attended Marquette: a renowned Jesuit education and a strong program in Medical Technology (now Clinical Laboratory Science). She says both contributed to her success in her life and her work.
Farese, an assistant professor of radiation oncology at the University of Maryland, began her research career more than 20 years ago in the experimental hematology department at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute. She has authored 36 peer-reviewed journal articles and six book chapters.
“The Medical Technology program emphasized that, in addition to learning the course material, there was a requirement for dedication, integrity and professionalism since we are responsible for providing information that directly affects patient care,” she says. “These qualities have served me well throughout my professional career.”
Farese recalls a lesson she learned in her first class at Marquette that helped to shape her college experience.
“Our professor said to us, ‘For some of you, this may be the first class of your college career. I would say good luck, but luck really has nothing to do with it,’” she says. “Those few words made me realize that I was responsible for my success in this scholastic endeavor. I often repeat this story to new employees when they ask me what they should do to ‘get ahead.’”
CHS SERVICE AWARD — JEAN T. BAUMGARDNER
Jean T. Baumgardner, H Sci ’09, has a passion for service and social justice that she cultivated in her time as an undergraduate in the biomedical sciences program at Marquette.
“My experiences at Marquette instilled within me a sense of social justice, faith, service and compassion that framed the lens through which I view the world and the way I seek to live out a life of service,” Baumgardner says.
In her work as a family nurse practitioner for International Community Health Services in Seattle, she serves an immigrant and refugee population from Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the horn of Africa.
“I love working with this patient population,” she says. “I’m constantly inspired by their stories and their resilience.”
After graduating, Baumgardner spent a year volunteering with Passionist Volunteers International in Talanga, Honduras, where she and her colleagues started the Comedor Infantil Talanga, a meal program and community center for impoverished children.
She also founded The Solidarity Project, a nonprofit foundation that supports Honduran leaders who create positive social change for their communities.
“For me, success means living life in a meaningful, just and loving manner that centers on improving oneself and one’s community while caring for all people, especially those who live in great need,” she says.
YOUNG ALUMNA OF THE YEAR — DR. JOCILYN (DELLAVA) BERGIN
Dr. Jocilyn (Dellava) Bergin, H Sci ’02, Grad ’04, says Marquette’s motto of cura personalis helped to instill values in her that make her a successful person, both in her work and her family life.
The biomedical sciences alumna works as a statistician for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
“I like that I’m using the skills and knowledge that I gained at Marquette to help first responders nationwide,” she says. “I can’t think of a better way than helping to ensure first responders have stellar communication that will not fail in the case of a national emergency.”
In addition to her work, Bergin enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two young children.
“I spend a lot of time helping with their activities and at their school,” she says. “It’s a great way to spend extra time with them, and organizations always appreciate the extra help with the little ones.”
Bergin looks back on her time at Marquette fondly, and attributes the education she received as a major source of her success.
“Marquette was and continues to be such a huge part of my life,” she says. “I’m honored and grateful that Marquette University believes I’m worthy of such an honor. This award motivates me to strive toward further advancing this important work.”
