Outstanding Education Graduate David Wolff Leaves Owens With New Calling
David Wolff came to Owens Community College thinking he’d be an engineer. His professors had other ideas — and so, eventually, did he.
It was the guidance of those instructors that helped Wolff realize his future wasn’t in engineering but in front of a classroom. He shifted his major and will graduate in May with his Associate of Arts degree, earning the Education program’s outstanding graduate honor along the way.
“When I first began my classes at Owens, I still wasn’t positive about what career I wanted to pursue,” Wolff said. “After I had met with some excellent professors, I decided that engineering wasn’t for me. The instructors inspired me to become a teacher myself, so I shifted my major to the education field.
“I was still uncertain on what specifics I wanted to teach, but the mentors at Owens have allowed me to experience different curriculum at different grade levels to determine which field is the most fitting for me.”
Wolff said he’s been blessed with too many mentors to count. He credits his parents and sister for the support and celebration of his academic achievements. He also called out some educators at Owens for their inspiration and impact: Dr. Steve Culbertson, Jamal Salahat, Laura Mitchell and Erin Kramer.
“My experience at Owens has been nothing short of exceptional,” Wolff, of Whitehouse, said. “I entered the campus nervous and confused, and I will be graduating from Owens feeling confident in myself. My professors at Owens have fostered my professional skills, my writing capabilities, my self-confidence and my desire to learn.”
After graduation, Wolff will transfer to Bowling Green State University, where he will complete his bachelor’s degree. From there, his career goal is to teach middle school social studies in the area.
Learn More About the Associate of Arts
Published May 2026