Aiden Kelly
Building a Strong Foundation: Aiden Kelly Reflects on His Marywood Experience
For Aiden Kelly ’24, choosing Marywood University felt like the right fit for several reasons. “It was close to home, the people and environment, the history program, my grandmother went there, I had friends going there,” Kelly said. Those connections, combined with a strong academic program, helped shape a meaningful college experience.
During his time at Marywood, Kelly found strong support and inspiration from faculty and mentors within the History Department. When asked who had the biggest influence on his time at the university, he pointed to the people who guided him along the way. “The history professors, the history department, Sister Mary, and Lisa Lori,” he said.
Kelly graduated in the Class of 2024 with a degree in History and considers one of his proudest accomplishments to be his academic success and recognition during that time. “Graduating a semester early magna cum laude and getting a personal letter from President Barack Obama before he left office,” he said.
Today, Kelly works as a Manufacturing Operator at Gentex Corporation in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. While his career path is in manufacturing, he credits his education with helping him develop valuable skills that continue to serve him professionally. Reflecting on how Marywood prepared him, he explained that “it taught me good skills that I would later use during my career.” In addition to his professional role, Kelly remains connected to his passion for history by volunteering with the Clifford Township Historical Society, where he also serves on the organization’s board.
Outside the classroom, Kelly was actively involved in campus life. He participated in GetFruved, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and served as an Orientation Leader, helping welcome new students to the Marywood community. These experiences helped shape his personal growth during his college years.
Looking back, Kelly believes his time at Marywood had a lasting impact on him personally. “It made me stronger and it made me a better person,” he said. Since graduating, he has also noticed the university continuing to grow and evolve. “It added more programs and more stuff on campus that made the university a better place,” he said.
For current students, Kelly encourages them to stay focused on their goals and believe in themselves. “Do your best and strive to succeed in whatever you are good at. Be the best version of yourself. Don't let others talk you out of what you want to do.”