LCCC and UP Great Grads Have Great Stories

Everybody has a story, and LCCC students have some great ones.  As you will see, LCCC draws outstanding students from close to home and around the world.  Many of these students would like to share their experiences with you.

More stories will be added, so be sure to visit this page often.

• A few days before graduation Sharon Bailey’s parents pulled out a family photo album and pointed out pictures of aunts, uncles and cousins. Out of the 21 aunts and uncles and 34 cousins, Bailey, of Sheffield Lake, will be only the second one to graduate from college.  And, she’s earning two associate of applied science degrees on top of it – one in medical assisting (clinical) and the other in medical assisting (administrative). Learn more. 

• “The faculty has a great reputation. . .  I had to come to LCCC,” said Kimberly Beegan.  On May 23, Beegan will receive an associate of applied science degree in dental hygiene.  Her goal is to become a dental hygienist in the Northeast Ohio region.  Learn more. 
   
• Dan Forthofer is already the proud recipient of two associate’s degrees in applied business  And this May, Dan will make it a trifecta of degrees when he steps up to receive a bachelor of science in business administration from Kent State University through LCCC’s University Partnership program. Learn more.
   
• When Catherine Hyland went to the doctor for a check-up because she was experiencing shortness of breath, the last thing she expected to be told was that she had a rare blood disorder.  A disorder that while common in 70 year olds, was rare in someone who was just 20. Learn more.
   
• Justin Kelley is earning an associate of applied business degree in business management. But he doesn’t necessarily need a degree – he already has two associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Kelley knows, however, that the current economic environment almost requires that he continues with further education. Learn more.
   
• Mackenzie Keys, of Elyria, started her college career as a Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) student at LCCC while still in high school at Elyria Catholic. She’s finishing it up by being named to the All-Ohio Academic Team Third Team. Learn more.
   
• Anthony Morales of Lorain is certain he would have had a harder time adjusting to college if it wasn’t for his experience as an Early College High School student. Learn more.
   
• When Jessica Ortiz walks across the stage during Commencement she’ll have a lot of family there cheering her on.  But one person who won’t be there is her father Pedro. Learn more.
   
• Inspiration for a career change can be found in the most unlikely places. Just ask Karen Paulsen of Oberlin. The mother of three who had been working in a greenhouse for several years had to spend a lot of time taking her daughter Ashley to physical therapy following ACL surgery on her knee due to a basketball injury Ashley suffered as a sophomore in high school. Learn more.
   

• Tristan Rader had been diagnosed in first grade with a severe case of dyslexia, a reading disorder.  “While the other kids were being rewarded for their literary achievements, I was all but excluded," said Rader. Jump forward to this academic year at LCCC and Rader was one of three students who submitted a winning essay to "The Books that Stir Us: The Basbanes Project” by LCCC Academic Foundations Professor Kevin Hoskinson. Learn more.

• Donny Rowe, 31, will receive an associate’s of arts and an associate’s of science degree on May 23.  Rowe, who spent most of his adult life working in automotive manufacturing in Sandusky, decided it was time to make his career economy proof. Learn more.
   

• When Rachel Sanchez’s parents Maria and Richard encouraged her apply for the Early College High School at LCCC, she really was indifferent about the whole idea. In fact, she was afraid of missing out on her high school experience at Lorain Admiral King.But she went ahead and applied, and got started on earning her high school diploma and associate of arts degree at the same time. Learn more.

• “I really enjoy seeing things through children’s eyes. You’ll never know what they’ll say,” said April Serfozo.That’s one of the reasons the Lorain woman plans to become a teacher. The other is, it’s something she has always wanted to do.  She’ll graduate with an associate of arts degree in early childhood education this May. Learn more.