Mason Ordonez, ’28, has found community and camaraderie at La Salle University. 

Mason Ordonez, ’28, dove headfirst into his La Salle University experience. 

As a student-athlete on the swimming and diving team and nursing major, he has no plans to slow down his engagement on campus. He’s also vice president of alumni engagement for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, student representative of the 2028 nursing class cohort, member of the Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP), a student tutor, and the captain of men’s swimming and diving for the 2026-27 academic year.  

Being an engaged Explorer is about more than adding items to a resume for Ordonez; it’s also about supporting one another. 

“La Salle has given so much to me,” Ordonez said. “So, it’s nice to be able to just give back to the other students. It may be small, but it just feels nice to know that I’m able to do something to help other people, and that I would want someone to do the same for me.” 

Originally from West Milton, Pa., Ordonez was drawn to La Salle because of its Philadelphia zip code and Division I athletics. During a campus visit, his interest was solidified when he saw how impactful the high-quality education would be in the Nursing Program and how welcoming the swimming and diving team was, allowing him to continue a passion that began at 5 years old. 

“La Salle presented me with this amazing opportunity to compete in Division I athletics while also being able to succeed in my academics,” he said.  

Since then, Ordonez has found success in and out of the pool. He’s competed at the A10 Championships and landed top five finishes within previous seasons. He’s also done well academically with a high-grade point average. His time in the Nursing Program has helped reinforce his interest in working in healthcare.  

He enjoys being able to work closely with patients at the bedside during clinicals, and the opportunity to continue his nursing education in the future with advanced credentials, with the potential of earning them at La Salle.  

He’s most interested in working in the intensive care unit or cardiovascular care, hoping to one day become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).  

The School of Nursing and Health Sciences faculty have sent Ordonez up for success through hands-on experience and personalized teaching.  

“We have access to so many great clinical opportunities in Philadelphia,” he added. “I was at a Penn Health System hospital this semester, and I’ll be at a different one in the city next semester. But besides the clinical opportunities, the small class numbers really allow you to connect with your professors. I know all my professors on a first name basis. They know me. We email regularly. I feel like I can actually speak to them, and I’m not just a number, which is really nice.” 

That community feeling continues with the swimming and diving team, where Ordonez has a strong group of friends who he can rely on and experience campus life with. Not only does the team get together for practices and meets, but they’ve formed friendships outside of their sport and even give back through service projects including the Learn to Swim Pilot Program.  

“When you’re part of a team, you automatically have about 30 friends that are going to be there for you and help you. If you’re struggling with something, whether that be in the classroom, in the pool, or in life you have a support system that without fail will be there for you,” he said.    

As Ordonez looked toward his junior year prior to the academic year starting, he was excited to be back at 20^th and Olney. 

“I’m just excited to get back to campus and see my teammates, coaches, friends, and professors. I’m looking forward to just enjoying my last two years and continue to give back to La Salle, as it’s given us all so much,” he said.    

— Meg Ryan, M.A. ’24