Angel Bernardy -- one of the many proud graduates to walk in Penn State Abington’s fall 2010 commencement -- traveled a road of perseverance and hard work on his way to earning a business degree. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1995, Bernardy attended Penn State Abington for one year; he then joined the Air Force. Following his four-year stint in the military, Bernardy worked for Philadelphia Park Race Track. During his six years with Philadelphia Park, he worked his way up into management before returning to Penn State Abington nearly 10 years later in the fall of 2004.
According to Bernardy, his family, his desire to move forward in his career and his connection with Jose Rodriguez, coordinator of intercultural affairs, were the driving forces that led him back to Penn State Abington to finish his degree.
“The promise that I made to myself and to Mr. Rodriguez motivated me to return to school,” said Bernardy. “I’ve known Jose since the first time I went to Penn State and we’ve maintained a friendship ever since, and he was a real inspiration to me in achieving this. He’s been very helpful over the years.”
Bernardy also speaks highly of Sheldon Novack, lecturer in economics. “He teaches you everything that you need to know and he makes it interesting. He makes sure you understand. If you need help, he’s very accessible.”
Bernardy currently works in the accounts receivable department for Boiron, USA, a company headquartered in France that manufactures and distributes homeopathic medicines. With grit and determination, he successfully earned his business degree 15 years after he started it while simultaneously raising a family and working full-time. Bernardy’s success proves that passage of time does not need to be a barrier to achieving educational goals in life.
“I hope to inspire more people to come back and finish their schooling,” said Bernardy.
