Manor College's dean celebrates golden jubilee

JENKINTOWN, Pa. - Sister Marie Francis Walchonsky OSBM, dean of students at Manor College marked her golden jubilee as a Sister of St. Basil the Great on January 11.

Sister Francis was born in Centralia, Pa., and was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church there. She entered the Basilian Order in January 1953 and professed her vows in August 1958.

She received bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Villanova University and taught in Hamtramck, Mich., Auburn, N.Y., Philadelphia, and Parma, Ohio. Since 1985 she has served as the dean of students at Manor College. She also serves as a member of the Provincial Council of the Sisters of St. Basil.

As dean of students, Sister Francis supervises all aspects of student life at the college, specifically as the director of Campus Ministry, Health Services, the residence hall, security and Manor's on-campus Ukrainian Heritage Studies Center. She also oversees the director of counseling, the director of athletics, the coordinator of student life and the residence life coordinator.

"My whole life is dedicated to service to God and being a Sister of St. Basil the Great," said Sister Francis. "I truly enjoy being the dean of students at Manor College and the sharing and the fellowship associated with this position. The duties are sometimes endless, but also challenging, enlightening and invigorating."

The Sisters of St. Basil the Great are located throughout the world. They came to Fox Chase, Pa., in 1911 and for over 85 years have been doing missionary work and providing educational facilities for the neighboring communities.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, March 9, 2003, No. 10, Vol. LXXI

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