Viterbo University student, Alex Shaker, is very busy. With a double major in business administration & management and leadership, a minor in health care administration, participation on the men’s track and field team, and employment as a campus tour guide, he certainly should be. “I want to get everything I can out of my college education,” said Alex, a junior from Hillsboro. “It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.”

Alex chose Viterbo because of his interactions with business faculty member Todd Ondell, who was frequently in the audience at high school Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) events. Selecting Viterbo turned out to be the right decision for Alex, and he would definitely recommend the university to aspiring college students. “I’m very happy to be attending Viterbo University,” Alex said. “It is the right size to get to know people on a first-name basis, and the faculty always make time to help students and answer any questions they may have.”

Alex is the son of Hillsboro dairy farmers. His older sister, Brienne, recently graduated from Viterbo with a degree in social work and is now working in the field in Wisconsin while pursuing a master’s degree. Financial aid such as the Wisconsin Grant makes his college education possible, he said. It allows him to take full advantage of the many campus and community opportunities that round out his college experience.

Being a member of the track team is a very enjoyable part of college for Alex. “The team has a great bunch of guys, and my best friends are on the team,” he said, adding that participating in athletics is possible because at Viterbo, “School comes first, and athletics come second.”

As a student at Viterbo, Alex had an “incredible” study abroad experience in China. The opportunity expanded his horizons, and he will participate in another Viterbo trip to South Africa. Experiences such as these greatly enhance a college education and can provide countless future benefits to graduates.

Upon earning a degree, Alex plans to pursue a career in health care management. He became interested in the health care field during a paid internship at Gundersen Health System, a local hospital in La Crosse. All Viterbo business students are guaranteed a paid internship. The university has an excellent reputation with area employers, and its relationships with these employers facilitate high-quality workplace experiences for students. The combination of classroom work and practical experience ensures that students are well-prepared for their future careers.

“Alex came to Viterbo University with the intent of becoming engaged in university life, the La Crosse community, and his desired profession,” said Viterbo business faculty member Todd Ondell. “Alex has interned in his chosen field, volunteered with nonprofits, and become a student leader on campus through his involvement in the classroom and in athletics. He has a very bright future.”