< Michael Hagan in one of his favorite places at Saint Joseph's.

In every walk of life, Saint Joseph's University alumni are distinguishing themselves. Whether public servants or business leaders, health care workers or educators, they are making their mark on their families, their communities, and their professions. When given an opportunity to reflect, many acknowledge the role Saint Joseph's - and the wonderful people they encountered here - played in transforming their lives and shaping the way they think about the world.

Dare

"The whole Jesuit philosophy is a bit about risk-taking," says Michael J. Hagan '85, CEO of NutriSystem, Inc., who counts his decision to attend SJU as a particularly smart one. "Whether you're talking about your spiritual self or your business career, you should never be happy with the status quo. You should always keep striving."

A Bucks County native, Michael follows his own advice. After earning his degree at Saint Joseph's, he thrived as an accountant and technology manager at Merrill Lynch. Next, he co-founded a very successful Internet company. Later, he purchased the failing NutriSystem, Inc., and turned it into an extremely successful enterprise - so successful that Forbes Magazine named him "Entrepreneur of the Year" in 2006. "I have been blessed with business success, but even more so in my personal life," Michael reflects, naming his wife, Joyce, and their children as the biggest blessings in his life.

Today, though he could presumably live anywhere, Hagan chooses to stay close to his roots and connected to his alma mater - through his passion for basketball and his participation on the Board of Trustees. "There's something special about Saint Joseph's that's hard to describe. I feel surrounded by friends every time I drive on City Avenue."

Faith | Strength | Dare