$5 billion. That’s how much Children’s Miracle Network raised this year, and public relations grad Becca (Albus) Dudek ’13 played a big role in its success.
Two years ago, Dudek began working as a fundraising coordinator at Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena, Montana, which is an affiliate of the Children’s Miracle Network. Originally from Palmyra, Pennsylvania, Dudek moved 2,136 miles away from her home for a fresh start.
She travels all over Big Sky Country to work with corporate sponsors to raise money for the hospital. “It’s so rewarding to help children,” said Dudek.
“I get to walk by those kids and see them playing on the hospital playground on the way to my office, and I just know I am giving them better lives.”
Outside the office, Dudek has embraced the great outdoors. She and her husband Ben ’09 often hike their favorite spot, Glacier National Park, with the long-term goal of exploring all of its trails eventually. “It’s really hard to live in Montana and not be an outdoorsy person,” said Dudek.
The couple also took up kayaking, shoving off in the late afternoon then watching the sunset around a campfire. “The Missouri River is my favorite place to kayak, because the river does all the hard work for you. You don’t have to paddle, so you can just sit back and take in the beautiful scenery around you,” she said.
She says Messiah prepared her well for her career, specifically through professor-student mentorships. “Nance McCown [co-chair of the communication department; associate professor of communication], my advisor, helped me with every aspect of my career, from crisis communication to building relationships with key publics,” she said.
Dudek says she loves the healthcare industry and is thankful for her education and career. “I am living a life I’m proud of,” she said.
— Sarah Fertsch ’19