Young Bankers On the Rise

Rosemont Places Second in Pennsylvania in the 2021 CSBS Community Bank Case Study Competition

A team of Rosemont business students was recognized and awarded for their winning submission to the National Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) Community Banking Case Study Competition at the PA Bankers Association Annual Young Professionals in Banking Conference at the Hershey, PA Conference Center on September 20.

In a room filled with young banking professionals, Ashley Kinney, Marlon Sharpton, and Madison Yeager were asked to stand and be recognized for their respective roles in developing an awardwinning case study in partnership with a few other classmates who could not attend, along with executives from the Philadelphia-based Asian Bank.

“Our students worked very hard on this project from late January until midMay 2021 and it felt so good, they said, to be recognized for that effort,” said Christine Hagedorn, Assistant Professor and Discipline Coordinator, Business Department. “Our students had a great experience at the PA Bankers Conference, got out of their respective comfort zones, networked with others in the field, and grew as young professionals.”

The case study competition began in January 2021 and two Rosemont teams, one each representing Bryn Mawr Trust and Asian Bank, participated. Each team submitted research reports and documentary videos at the conclusion of the competition in May. Nationwide judging began in the spring, and the Rosemont team paired with Asian Bank advanced to the second round of the national competition in June.

“Going to the PA Bankers Conference was a great and fun experience,” said Ashley Kinney, a senior majoring in International Business with a minor in Accounting. “During the conference we were recognized for our second-place win for Pennsylvania. After all the hard work we put into this paper it was a great feeling to be recognized for it by CSBS and the PA Bankers Association.”

Thirty-five student teams representing 29 colleges and universities conducted an original case study in partnership with a local community bank for the 2021 Community Bank Case Study Competition. Fifteen of those were PA colleges or universities and it was from among those 15 that the Rosemont team was named second place.

This is the seventh year of the competition, which is open to undergraduate students in all fields of study as an opportunity to gain valuable first-hand knowledge of the banking industry. This year, students wrote about how their partner community bank addressed two significant social events in 2020: the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide calls to improve diversity, inclusion, and economic fairness.

Students Ashley Kinney, Marlon Sharpton, and Madison Yeager at the PA Bankers Association Annual Young Professionals in Banking Conference

Classes of 2020 and 2021 Celebrate Commencement

Rosemont College held its 97th and 98th Commencement on Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16, 2021. Due to COVID-19 precautions, four small ceremonies were held over the weekend and livestreamed on Facebook. In addition to graduates of the Class of 2021, also in attendance were alumni from the Class of 2020, who were invited to experience a traditional ceremony in contrast with the all-virtual event in 2020.

“Today is a day to gather together and celebrate,” said President Boyers. “It is a day to proudly reflect on all that our graduates have accomplished during their time here and wish them well as they take their next steps in life’s journey.”

Read President Boyers' Presidential Ponderings post about Commencement.

Sr. Veronica Openibo, Society Leader of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, delivered the Commencement address via taped remarks from Italy, and was awarded an honorary degree. Sr. Openibo is an educator, religious leader, and public speaker. She has a special relationship with Rosemont College as the Society Leader of the SHCJ.

Sr. Openibo was elected the 13th leader of the SHCJ in 2010 and is the first African elected to lead the order. She was re-elected in 2016 and will serve her current term through 2022. Based in Rome, Sr. Openibo is also on the Executive Board of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) and serves as Vice President of the Board of Service of Documentation and Study on Global Mission (SEDOS).

Two alumni, Sharon Woods Clark '74 and Ben McGinty '00, were also awarded honorary degrees.

Read the list of graduates from both classes, as well as academic honors and awards.

Rosemont’s

Commencement

President Boyers and Provost Nash

ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 14th.

Graduate Gabe Rizzo, class of 2021