For Sarah Och '17, Bucknell was more than a classroom — it was a place that shaped her life, her values and her vision for the future. Today, as a senior manager at Nielsen, a global data and measurement company, and a small business owner, she channels the lessons and opportunities she received into support for the next generation of students.

Sarah Och '17 supports campus initiatives that align with her Bucknell experience.

As a young alumna, Och understands the impact of giving back to the University that helped her grow. She donates monthly to Catholic Campus Ministries (CCM), the Undergraduate Research Fund, and the Perricelli-Gegnas Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, supporting programs that align with her Bucknell experience.

CCM provided "a true home away from home" and introduced her to lifelong friends. Her contributions to its mission help ensure that future students can experience that same sense of belonging and community.

Her Buckell experience also laid the groundwork for her professional journey. Och launched her own company, SochCo Designs, an effort that earned her an "Artistic Visionary" award among the University's inaugural class of 30 Under 30 honorees in 2024. She credits the tools and entrepreneurial mindset she gained from her Bucknell education for giving her the confidence to take the leap to start her business. Her monthly gifts to the Perricelli-Gegnas Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation help other students explore ventures of their own, regardless of their major or field of study.

Research, too, played a pivotal role in shaping Och's path. As a student, she benefited from Bucknell's Undergraduate Research Fund, which enabled her to engage with professors who challenged her to think critically and take bold risks. "That experience not only shaped how I think, but also contributed significantly to my decision to pursue graduate school after graduation," she says.

For Och, giving back is about opening doors, helping students build community, discovering passions and launching new ventures — just as she once did. "I hope my gifts help create opportunities for students to grow in ways that shape not only their college experience, but the rest of their lives," she says. She sees giving back as a way for young alumni to stay connected and invested in Bucknell's future, and to demonstrate the lasting strength of the Bucknell network.

"Bucknell gave me more than a degree — it gave me lifelong friends, the courage to take risks and the skills to build my own business," she says. Her generosity helps provide students with the resources, mentorship and experiences they need to thrive.