Alicia Bekeny
University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh PA
Major-Economics, Political Science Minor-French
Alicia is a recent grad of MPS, the valedictorian of the Class of 2006 and an IB diploma student. While all of this was going on she also managed to be an outstanding musician in the MPS orchestra and be honored as an All-Eastern musician for her performances on the violin. She was also a big part of the Speech and Debate Team's success. Alicia is now on the verge of finishing her degree at the University of Pittsburgh. There she has also continued to pursue her interest in music, participating in the University of Pittsburgh Orchestra and founding and performing in the university's Honor's College String Quartet. She has also organized a service organization of musicians. She is the Vice-President of the Undergraduate Economics Society, a founding member of the study abroad alumni network-PAW (Pitt Around the World), and an officer in the French Club.
Alicia had the opportunity to study abroad in Budapest, Hungary at Corvinus University, she received a Freeman Foundation Scholarship to study in China and Viet Nam and also spent time at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. Along with being well-travelled, Alicia has stayed rooted in the Mercy tradition of service. She has volunteered in numerous projects here in Erie, through GE. She organized a philanthropic project to benefit the Refugee Center in Pittsburgh, as well as doing service in Hungary.
Alicia credits Mercyhurst Prep with helping her develop as a student. "I honed a strong work ethic under the International Baccalaureate education program."
"Thanks in large part to my MPS education, I had a clear vision of where I could go with a work ethic and dedication...The Mercyhurst experience also prepared me for the real world by guiding me to embody the values of compassionate presence, justice, service and concern for the dignity of all people."
Alicia's concern with justice issues and interest in service has led her to consider further studies in law after graduation.
