Sept. 30, 2010

PHILADELPHIA - Recent La Salle graduates and standout student-athletes Mary Pat Conville and Kara Harpel were recently hired as graduate assistants in the La Salle Athletic Department.

Conville, who played softball for the Explorers, is the Athletic Business graduate assistant, while field hockey alum Harpel is working in the Academic Services office.

As a GA in the business office, Conville is involved with recording game contracts and processing check requests and invoices, as well as assisting with the day-to-day operation of the office.

Conville graduated in May with a degree in Secondary Education and Mathematics. She is currently pursuing her MBA through the graduate assistantship.

"I am thankful for the opportunity to be back at La Salle," Convilel said. "I am excited to work in the business aspect of athletics and see the inter-workings of the department."

As a GA in the Academic Services office, Harpel helps run the study hall program from managing study hall proctors to tracking student-athletes' recorded study hall hours to report to coaches and administrators. She also tracks and reports attendance of freshman student-athletes at Life Skills presentations, which focus on how to balance academics and college life.

Harpel, who graduated with a degree in Psychology, also helps out as a tutor particularly for student-athletes in psychology courses. She is pursuing her Master's degree in Clinical-Counseling Psychology with a focus in Marriage and Family Therapy.

"I am so thankful to be back at my alma mater now working in the athletic department as I pursue my graduate degree," Harpel said. "I love supporting the current and future athletes at La Salle, especially after realizing the amount of dedication each student-athlete commits in order to become successful on and off the field."