Senior Nursing major, Biology minor and member of Illuminata Pace Household, Mariah Matzinger Lash is graduating Franciscan University this coming May.

 From the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and the city of Falls Church in Virginia, Mariah’s trust led her to Franciscan University. She said, “Choosing to come to Franciscan was mainly to study nursing in an authentically Catholic sphere. It was a very easy yes to come because I was also able to play volleyball and study abroad in Austria!” 

In addition to working through one of the toughest majors, Mariah played NCAA DIII women’s volleyball for the Barons, is in the Nurse2Nurse academic club, was the student lead for the Lourdes Mission Trip Fall 2023 and volunteered her time as a core member for Catholic Sports Outreach “Hard as Nails” representing her volleyball team. 

Despite all her commitments, they do not inhibit her enjoyment of life. She describes her day, saying: “now that I have finished volleyball, and if it is not a day where I go to a 12 hour clinical at the hospital, the non-negotiables are: Mass, coffee, class and/or library to crank on homework, [and] gym session plus sauna, of course, meals get factored in there too. Other elements include walks, adoration, adventures to Leo’s, household things, and time with friends.” 

Mariah loves being a nurse and she decided to be one about 10 years ago. She reminisced, “When I was in 8th grade, my nephew was born and spent his first few weeks in the NICU. My thoughts were filled with the nurses who care for people at their most vulnerable moments at all hours of the day and night. I am a planner so in classic Mariah fashion, I told myself that’s what I want to do – I want to be a nurse.” 

When asked about her after graduation plans, Mariah answered, “I originally thought I would move right back to VA after college, but it turns out I am planning to stay near Pittsburgh so I can work at a hospital in the city. I have fallen in love with the Emergency Department and cannot wait to work as a nurse in an ED. Fast paced nursing is awesome! Also, my sister will be a freshman here at Franciscan so it will be such a gift living close to her.” 

Mariah says what she will miss the most about Franciscan is the golf course. “It is such a peaceful part of campus where you can soak in all the weather, seasons, and times of day by just going out for a walk.” 

Franciscan University, and especially her teammates and household sisters, will miss Mariah as she turns to the next chapter of her life, but all that she has done has prepared her well and her faith is sustaining.

Mariah leaves Franciscan University with these words of wisdom: “The biggest goal of mine this spring is to continue growing in my spiritual life as I treasure these final months surrounded by many close friends. Being present to what is right before you and hopeful in what is to come is an incredible balancing act; an act of faith in God’s wondrous plans. And I would be lying if I said I have it figured out.”