Dalton Duvall Paid Off His Debt, Then Made It Count as a Barbara Rood Award Recipient at Owens
Dalton Duvall has always been focused on working in healthcare and becoming a nurse. After years away from school and a debt to pay off, his journey took more maturity and resilience than he initially expected.
More than a decade after graduating from Findlay High School and enrolling in a nursing program at a different school, Duvall will graduate this May with his Associate of Applied Science in Registered Nursing from Owens Community College. He is also a recipient of the Barbara Rood Student Choice Award as an outstanding graduate in the program.
“This is one of the greatest honors of my life,” Duvall said, adding that he was humbled by his classmates selecting him for the award.
Duvall reflected on his first stint in college, saying he was too young and immature, which derailed his pursuit of a degree. He left school and spent several years working to pay off his school loans and find the right opportunity to return to school, which came in 2023 when he arrived at Owens.
“My journey has been long and arduous,” Duvall said. “Paying off my student debt took years of work and dedication, knowing all the while that my goal was to return to school and obtain my nursing degree. I remember the day I paid off my debt vividly and it makes me emotional when I think about it. I am proud of myself for being resilient.”
His motivation and greatest impact came from his mother, Teresa. He remembers watching her work on her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, hoping to provide a better life for her family. Duvall said his mom received a medical diagnosis a few years ago that inspired him to return to school as soon as possible.
“Owens has given me the opportunity to finally finish my nursing degree when it felt like I was alone and without options. I can’t thank Owens enough for what they have done for me,” he said.
After graduation, Duvall wants to work in an emergency department or ICU while also being interested in natural disaster response and travel nursing. He’ll also work on his bachelor’s degree with an ultimate goal of becoming a nurse anesthetist.
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Published May 2026