Back to where Mom began

Kaili Klimas ’25 follows in the footsteps of Carol Klimas ’84 

By: Sarah Matarella 

When Carol Klimas ‘84 first stepped onto Alvernia College’s campus in the 1980s, it was a mere handful of buildings tucked on a hill in Reading, Pa., near Shillington where she grew up. While her daughter Kaili Klimas ‘25 graduated from an undeniably distinct university following decades of expansion, the values remained the same.

“My experience was terrific. I had wonderful teachers and had the ability to take advantage of being on a small campus with people who are really caring,” Carol said. “Alvernia has been a springboard for me and my professional career.”

Carol shared that its size at the time did not minimize the impact it had on her life and her career. She started in a management training program at a bank immediately following graduation and has since earned Alvernia’s prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award in 2001, lived in several states and amassed business acumen. She ran multiple businesses, including her most recent role serving as executive vice president at KeyCorp.

That impact did not stop at the professional level; it trickled into Carol’s personal life, as well.

“There was such a service orientation even back then in the '80s and so, it was something that has really stayed with me throughout my life,” she said. “I really enjoyed the Franciscan values, and the beautiful thing is, I see those values still here today.” 

It was the same impact and values, along with the brand-new women’s ice hockey team, that called her daughter to Alvernia in 2021.

“[Women's ice hockey] was one of the main things that I wanted when searching for a college. We ended up visiting and it just so happened they also had a digital media marketing program and I'm super into video creation. So, it all just fell into place and I've had the most wonderful time here."

Kaili shared that being a student athlete has shaped her as a person and allowed her to meet some of her best friends. She credits her classes and experiential learning through Berks Community Television and Alvernia’s Office of Marketing and Communications, with allowing her to develop and refine the skills she needs to succeed in her field.

“It's been great to get hands-on experience working with BCTV in the studio with professional equipment. It's been a super fun experience and I'm glad I got to take the class,” said Kaili. “I've also had so many real-world experiences as a work study, whether it's going to different events to capture photo and video, working on social media posts for TikTok and Instagram, and networking with people at events. It's been a very great experience for me.”

Four years later, she graduated not just as a communications major with a minor in digital media marketing, but also as a two-time MAC champion.

Over those four years, Carol and her husband found themselves traveling back to campus often, attending many home and away games. Supporting Kaili’s journey wasn’t limited to long drives from Ohio, though.

They also gave back in a lasting way with a philanthropic gift to help transform the women’s ice hockey locker room at Body Zone Sports and Wellness Complex. Today, the Klimas family name is permanently etched there, a visible tribute to their commitment to the program and the university.

“It really does help the athletic program when you make a designated gift like that so that they can accomplish an important goal,” said Carol. “It's important for me to give back, and so doing that through the school feels really good. It's certainly something that I've been committed to for a number of years ... I have tremendous gratitude to the institution, to the school, for what they were able to do to support me and my daughter.”

Kaili agrees.

“Now our last name is part of that locker room forever,” she said. “That means something to me. I’ve built friendships and memories in that space. It’s home.”