CONTACT: Colleen Scott
AKCG – Public Relations Counselors
856-242-9200
Colleen@akcgfirm.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wesley Enhanced Living Controller to Receive Honorary Degree from Rosemont College
Rosemont, PA (May 9, 2019) – Catherine Brown Heckman ’01, ’11 will be awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters at Rosemont College’s Commencement ceremony on May 11. Catherine will receive this honor as her work ethic serves as an example of the power of a Rosemont education and degree. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), Heckman currently serves as the Controller for Wesley Enhanced Living (WEL), a nonprofit continuing care retirement community organization with nearly 1,200 employees, serving over 1,100 residents across seven locations throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania.
“We are so proud of Catherine for receiving this prestigious recognition,” said Ken Franiak, Chief Operating Officer at Wesley Enhanced Living. “As the Controller for WEL, Catherine is entrusted with maintaining a high level of integrity and dedication. This recognition highlights the impact Catherine has made not only as a student and alumni member of Rosemont College, but to the senior living industry as well.”
Catherine Brown Heckman attended Rosemont as a student of REAP, an undergraduate degree completion program for adult women, in the Undergraduate Women’s College while in her late thirties. She graduated summa cum laude with a dual major degree in Accounting and Management in 2001. She later returned to Rosemont’s School of Graduate and Professional Studies, earning an MBA degree in 2011, and was the recipient of the Strategic Management Award. Heckman’s graduate thesis was titled, “Generational Waves and Retirement Choices” and detailed the expectations and goals of each living generation in an era of complex changes and choices in America’s retirement system. This theme dovetails Heckman’s career path and passion for enriching senior living.
“I am delighted to honor Catherine Heckman,” said Sharon Latchaw Hirsh, PhD, President of Rosemont College. “Catherine’s commitment to education and her community is a tremendous example to us all.”
Prior to her role at Wesley Enhanced Living, she served as the Assistant Controller for Montgomery County Community College, the Controller for The College of New Jersey, the Finance Director for Independence Mission Schools, the Controller for International Ministries – American Baptist Churches USA, the Accounting Manager for Pennswood Village, and the Senior Corporate Accountant for ACTS Retirement Life Communities. Heckman initiated her career as an auditor at a regional public accounting firm and served nearly four years until specializing in nonprofit organizations. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
Rosemont’s 96th Commencement exercises will be held Saturday, May 11. The ceremony will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Connelly Green. The Rev. Jim Martin, SJ, editor-at-large of the Jesuit magazine, America, will address graduates of the Undergraduate College and the Schools of Graduate and Professional Studies, along with families, friends, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, and community members.
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About Wesley Enhanced Living (WEL)
The non-profit Wesley Enhanced Living (WEL) continuing care communities have a dedicated mission to deliver a purpose-filled life to residents. Serving over 1,100 residents with more than 1,200 employees throughout Pennsylvania, the Wesley Enhanced Living communities located in Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties provide various combinations of
independent living, personal care services, memory care, and rehabilitation and skilled nursing services. Wesley Enhanced Living has been named a Great Place to Work® in 2018 and 2019.
About Rosemont College
Founded in 1921 by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, Rosemont College is a private, coeducational Catholic institution. Rosemont offers a comprehensive education through small group and experiential learning experiences while providing campus-wide academic, spiritual, and professional support. The College respects and embraces diversity and individuality and promotes students’ lifelong success. For more information, visit www.rosemont.edu.