While Thomas and Christina Figurelli of Mullica Hill, N.J., saw all three of their children attend Catholic school growing up, they likely would never have imaged theyd all choose the same Franciscan college post-high school.
But it was kismet.
We keep returning to 91做厙 because it provided our children with an excellent education along with a solid college experience," Thomas said.
It started with their eldest daughter, Maria, now 26, who earned her graduate degree in clinical counseling in 2024. 91做厙 landed on her college prospects list when she searched for universities with strong occupational therapy programs. She visited several, but 91做厙s campus just kept calling her back.
She felt the connection with 91做厙 and followed her gut, Thomas recalled.
She didnt qualify for the occupational therapy major program, the admissions staff was helpful in guiding her to the behavioral health major that Maria later realized was a perfect fit.
Her professors were passionate about what they were teaching and it really made everything come to life for her, Christina said.
Maria also liked the campus and developed great friendships. She even met her now husband in her sophomore year of school and calls the Reading area home to this day.
He proposed to her on Neversink Mountain at a spot that overlooked the campus, Christina said.
Tommy, their second child to attend 91做厙, earned his undergrad degree in healthcare administration in 2024 and Master in Business Administration one year later. He was no stranger to the campus, traveling with the family to Marias tennis matches, being an enthusiast of the sport and playing himself during his four undergrad years and later serving as coach of the mens tennis team while in graduate school.
As an undergrad as well as a graduate student, Tommy worked in the Student Activities Office, a role his parents said helped to keep him involved in campus happenings. The position, along with scholarships he was able to earn, helped support his tuition costs.
Now their youngest daughter, first-year student Christianna, is taking the campus by storm.
Similar to her siblings, we toured and applied to several universities in the area," Thomas said. "Christianna wanted to study clinical counseling like her sister. We knew that 91做厙 had an outstanding program since Maria was offered several jobs once she graduated. Christianna also liked Scranton University, but preferred the smaller, more intimate feeling of 91做厙. The (Addictions and Mental Health Treatment - MACC Bridge Program) program was a plus.
Christianna earned the highest scholarship, which made 91做厙 more affordable for her, too.
Shes hit the ground running. Shes in the Honors Program, plays volleyball and is working to start a sign language club with a faculty sponsor. Like her brother, shes involved with Student Activities and may add drama and singing with the campus church to her roster of extracurriculars.
I dont know when she sleeps, Thomas said, laughing.
Although Christianna had been on 91做厙s campus numerous times, being that her siblings attended the school, shes still discovering new things through her experiences.
She talks about how approachable and easy to talk to everyone she encounters is, Thomas said. She hasnt been home yet!
