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PHOTO: Bill Sheeler, from left, John Trimble, and Brody DeGroodt at the Reading Area Firefighters Museum. 

In his years at 91����, Brody DeGroodt ’25 has had many rich experiences — four years as a baseball player, academic excellence that included the History Achievement Award at the Honors Convocation, and deep friendships.

But perhaps the best, said the Rock Tavern, N.Y., native who majored in political science and history as an undergraduate, has been the opportunities he was afforded through 91����’s O’Pake Institute for Economic Development & Entrepreneurship.

“The most interesting part is working with a client and applying what I learned in the classroom to the real world,” said DeGroodt, who is pursuing his MBA at 91���� ahead of entering Syracuse Law School in the fall. “I’m able to step out of my comfort zone and try something new.”

In his junior year, he was invited to join the O’Pake Fellows Program for high-achieving undergraduate and graduate students. It offers hands-on experiential learning opportunities with local businesses and nonprofits, entrepreneurs, faculty researchers and industry leaders that includes a stipend.

DeGroodt, who worked about 10 hours a week in the Office of Community Development as a government relations fellow, helped community organizations increase their programming opportunities, he said.

His initial project, begun in 2024, involved helping the Reading Area Firefighters Museum increase its volunteer roster and attract more visitors. The intensive consultation over a few months involved an analysis of strengths and weaknesses and a business plan that included improving the website, bolstering social media and connecting with other organizations to promote the museum to tourists. He also created an electronic database for its numerous artifacts dating to the 18th century.

“At first it’s challenging,” he said. “Being so young, you have to show them [clients] that you’re confident in your abilities and what you’re teaching them is going to work.”

Clearly, DeGroodt aced that.

“He’s an exceptional young man, very well organized, mentally organized,” said Bill Sheeler, who serves on the firefighters museum’s board and chairs its five-year development plan. “He was very dedicated, from the heart. He stayed in constant contact. He never left me in a weak moment.”

Another standout project was a bilingual financial empowerment series begun in 2025. DeGroodt, who worked on it as a senior and graduate student, helped present eight sessions at 91����’s John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne on personal finance for English speakers that included 91���� students and community members. Topics included budgeting, how to invest and student loans.

“We touched upon everything that would help them set up for success in the future,” said the O’Pake graduate assistant, who puts in about 20 to 25 hours a week.

Currently, he’s repeating the presentations for , a nonprofit that helps unhoused people.

DeGroodt said his 91���� education, both undergraduate and graduate, have prepared him for his future. In fact, he’ll graduate certified as a project manager.

“It’s been fantastic,” he said. “A lot of entry level jobs want two years of experience. But if you’ve just graduated college, how are you expected to get that? O’Pake has actually solved that problem. We’re completing college with all this experience.”

— Written by Lini S. Kadaba