Success Stories

Owens Outstanding Graduate Rowen Focused on Helping Individuals

While Kelly Rowen’s focus and academic goals have shifted slightly over the last…

Owens Nursing Graduate Colton Johnson Uses Involvement, Friends to Succeed

When Colton Johnson receives his Associate in Nursing from Owens Community College…

Owens Nursing Grad Lightle Surprised, Overwhelmed with Student Choice Award

Jessica Lightle’s mother is a nurse and a 2000 graduate of Owens Community College…

Owens Grad Heminger Follows Unexpected Path into Healthcare Career

Whitney Heminger is one class away from receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in…

U.S. Army Vet Walden Earns Top STEM Award

Growing up in a home that was keen on education, it’s not surprising that…

Relationships Help LeGare Graduate from Owens Paralegal Program

When Brittany LeGare’s daughter underwent surgery in January 2024, there was one…

Nursing Grad Ariel Campbell Uses Personal Experience to Fuel Her Healthcare Journey

Ariel Campbell can trace the beginnings of her career in the healthcare field back to…

Elizabeth White Uses Talents to Help Others

Elizabeth White has taken a long and winding path in her educational journey through…

Recognition Gives Kepling Motivation and Confidence Heading Into Next Phase

Sophie Kepling wasn’t the typical college student, taking most of her classes as…

Jami Williamson
Exercise Science Professor

Sarah Heldmann
Occupational Therapy Assistant Adjunct Faculty Member

Julie Posey
Sonography Chair

School of Nursing and Health Professions Recognizes Faculty and Staff with Excellence Awards

The School of Nursing and Health Professions is proud to recognize three of its faculty and staff members with excellence awards.

Two Surgical Technology Students Recognized for Achievements

The Surgical Technology program at Owens Community College is proud to recognize two of its graduates for their educational excellence and leadership.

Health Information Technology Graduates Receive Awards

Two Health Information Technology (HIT) graduates are being honored for their initiative, perseverance, advocacy and enthusiasm.

Emma Rodeheaver
Radiologic Technology

Kirk Gibson
Philosophy Transfer Pathway

Zoe Wuest
Dental Hygiene

Board of Trustees Recognizes Three Students

The Owens Community College Board of Trustees recognizes outstanding students annually in three categories.

Dental Hygiene Outstanding Graduate Furthers Career at Owens

Owens Community College provides an educational environment for students at all stages of life…

Outstanding Graduate Returns Home to Complete Education

Our lives can take us on many roads. For some, those roads lead us back home. For Peyton Hull…

Outstanding Graduate Finds Calling at Owens

When students enroll at Owens, not everyone knows what career lies in their future. They might…

Career Change Leads Outstanding Graduate to Owens

The path we choose for our life may change throughout the years. For Zach Kalafsky, a Barbara Rood…

Motivating Instructors Help Outstanding Graduate Succeed

The connections many students are able to make with their instructors while at Owens can lead to…

Nursing Program Reputation Leads Outstanding Graduate to Owens

A personal experience can have a life-changing effect in many ways. For Ben Tauber, time he spent…

Savanna Killinen and Haley Elliott
Dental Hygiene Community Service Award

Mackenzie Hanes
Dental Hygiene Colgate S.T.A.R

Isaiah Williams
Dental Hygiene Christopher L. Simmons Student Honor

Four Dental Hygiene Graduates Recognized with Awards

The Dental Hygiene program is recognizing four of its graduates for demonstrating outstanding community service, dedication and academic achievements.

Nursing Program Reputation Leads Outstanding Graduate to Owens

Students may experience big life changes while at school. Britney Jeziorowski started a family and…

Outstanding Graduate Obtains Second Degree at Owens

Many graduates that cross the stage at commencement are receiving their first post-secondary degree…

Friend’s Advice Leads Outstanding Graduate to Owens

Some of us find our calling in life early on. Whether it’s a family member in the field, a personal…

Personal Connections Lead Outstanding Graduate to Success

A strong support system can guide your educational journey. Aden Hersh, this year’s Outstanding…

Non-Profit Co-Founder Named Outstanding Graduate

The world we live in can inspire us in many ways. Justin Abner, this year’s Environmental Science…

Outstanding Graduate Finds Balance at Owens

In our lives, we will be faced with the challenge of finding the right balance. For Kelsey Clemence, a…

Outstanding Graduate Completes Degree in One Year

Owens Community College is a two-year powerhouse institution fueling the workforce in northwest Ohio…

Flexible Scheduling Leads Outstanding Graduate to Owens

The opportunities to have a flexible schedule in school can lead to a student’s success. For Rebecca…

Illness Leads Outstanding Graduate to Vascular Sonography

In life, we might have a broad interest in a field of study without knowing where we want…

Express Softball Player Named Outstanding Graduate

Finding opportunities to continue playing a sport you love is a goal for many athletes…

Artist Named Recipient of Gerald Bazer Outstanding Graduate Award

Tools for healing and wellness can range from western medicine to holistic medicine and…

Outstanding Graduate Follows Late Mother’s Footsteps in Nursing

Footsteps can guide us through our journey in life. Jessica DeLuca, a recipient of the Barbara Rood….

Hometown Feel Draws Outstanding Graduate to Owens

A community feeling can be the biggest factor in someone’s success in life For Leigha Egnor….

College Credit Plus Student Thrives at Owens

Students of all ages attend Owens Community College, from traditional-age right after…

Aunt’s Advice Leads Student to Success at Owens

A conversation with someone can change the course of our lives. For Gabe Syverson…

Owens Student Wins Back-to-Back “Best of Toledo” Awards

Imagine being voted the best in your field in the area. Now imagine doing that back-to-back…

BIG Read Inspires Indigenous Peoples Advocacy Project

A class project has turned into a lifechanging experience for Kerry Weishampel. Her Honors English class…

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Student Accepted in Emerging Leaders Program

The opportunities students receive at Owens Community College go beyond what is offered in the classroom. This year…

Owens Theatre Student Performs at National Poetry Gathering

Stepping out of your comfort zone can feel daunting. But for Shelby Faulkner, stepping out of her comfort zone led to a…

Life Experiences Inspire First-Generation Outstanding Graduate

Your life experiences shape who you are as a person in many different ways. For Amber Lopez, an outstanding graduate…

Nursing Program Reputation Leads Outstanding Graduate to Success

In life, you may feel called to a different profession than you originally planned. That was the case for…

Barbara Rood’s Great-granddaughter Receives Namesake Award

Every semester, nursing students select a graduate who exemplifies a professional nurse to be the recipient…

Barbara Rood Award Recipient Follows in Family Footsteps

Families can hand down many things from traditions to heirlooms and even passion for a career. Danielle Eiting…

Outstanding Graduate Finds Success Through Support

On any journey, the environment you’re in and the support you have can keep you motivated to continue…

Mother of Five Named Outstanding Graduate, Gerald Bazer Award Recipient

When you ask students why they chose to attend Owens, there’s a good chance they will say the flexibility of…

Daughter’s Diagnosis Inspires Peggy Bensman Award Recipient to Pursue Nursing

When you face hard times in your life, the way others treat you can change your perspective and sometimes your life…

Outstanding Graduate Featured on Award-Winning Television Show

The earliest memories of your life could be some of the most life-changing. For Sabrina Myers…

Summer Job Inspires Outstanding Graduate’s Career

A summer job could just be a way to make money and stay busy between semesters in school…

Barbara Rood Award Recipient Finds Success at Owens

The size of classes and personal connection to faculty are consistent reasons students choose to pursue…

KERI AND LEA KOVACSISS

Owens Adjunct Faculty Member, Sister Publish Mystery Novel

As the temperatures drop, avid readers are curling up on the couch and becoming entranced with new novels…

STEM Dean Leads Exploration of Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Research and exploration happen around the world every day. Whether it’s medical, psychological or physical…

Changing Your Life in an Instant

Owens Community College Offers Nation’s Only Accredited MRI Associate Degree Program

Our lives can change in an instant. Cara Pitchford’s life changed when she was in a car accident and…

Husband and Wife Enroll in Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Together

When you ask Owens students what are the contributing factors to success, you hear things like…

Owens Student Veteran Serves as Guardian on Honor Flight

Every year, millions of people visit Washington, D.C. to tour the war memorials throughout the…

Owens Graduate, Dental Assisting Faculty Member Receives Teaching Excellence Award

The plans we have in our lives can change in an instant with a spur of the moment opportunity…

Owens Celebrates First Inductees to Surgical Technologists National Honor Society

Owens Community College offers many opportunities for students to further their careers both in and out of the classroom…

Outstanding Graduate Follows in Mother’s Footsteps to Become a Teacher

When you think of someone staying in the “family business,” you might not think of teaching…

Janell Lang Recipient, Outstanding Graduate Recognized by the Board of Trustees

It’s a big accomplishment to receive your degree from college. The walk across the stage at…

Outstanding Graduate Inspired by Hospital Staff

The way someone treats you or your loved ones can stick with you forever. The way the staff at…

Mother of Three, Toledo Native named recipient of Gerald Bazer Award

If you think back to some of the biggest moments of your life, chances are you have photographs of…

Outstanding Graduate Looks to Better Her Community

The community you grow up in can have a large influence on who you are as a person and how you…

Corporate Training Turns into Degree for Outstanding Graduate

Education at Owens Community College is not only for students. The College proudly offers trainings for…

Former Express Basketball, Softball Player named Outstanding Graduate

Owens Express Athletics have a deep history of success, including conference, district and national championships…

Outstanding Graduate Changes Careers with Owens Education

According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 30% of workers nationwide switched jobs in 2022. For Kristin Forman…

Outstanding Graduate Credits Student Support Services with Success

Owens Community College offers many services to help its students succeed. This year’s outstanding…

Outstanding Graduate Furthers Nursing Career at Owens

Owens Community College students come from all walks of life such as students returning to further…

Fostoria Native Makes Big Impact, Receives Bensman Award

In the Owens Community College School of Nursing and Health Professions, the Peggy Bensman Award is…

Outstanding Graduate Awarded Multiple Certificates with Degree

Flexibility with classes is a point many students focus on when choosing to pursue a degree at Owens…

Outstanding Graduate Moves Across the Country to Attend Owens

The recommendations we receive from family and friends can hold a lot of weight in our lives…

Friend’s Suggestion Leads Outstanding Graduate to Owens

A student’s journey before attending college can vary in many ways, whether it’s public school, private school or homeschool…

Grandparents Inspire Outstanding Graduate

When you ask students what inspired their program choice, many say…

Career Coaches and Counselors Help Outstanding Graduate Succeed

When students enroll at Owens Community College, many know the program they want to pursue…

Outstanding Graduate Returns to Owens for Second Degree

Walking across the stage at college graduation is a one-time event for many people. For Tiffani Wilson…

Outstanding Graduate Credits Program Involvement with Success

While at Owens Community College, students have many opportunities to get involved within their program…

Gut Feeling Brought Outstanding Graduate Success at Owens

The plan others see for us in our lives isn’t always the same as what you see as your future…

Radiologic Technology Student Awarded State, National Grants

Many Owens Community College students are involved in state and national organizations for…

Taking Steps Toward Healing

The relationships formed throughout life can have a profound impact on your daily routine…

Returning Student Recognized by Board of Trustees

Throughout a student’s journey at Owens Community College, there are many opportunities to get involved…

Diagnostic Sonography Student Named National Emerging Leader

When finding your chosen career, not everyone’s path is straightforward. You can try many different…

Finding Your Future Through Tragedy

The way others treat you can have a profound impact on your life. When KJ Hardeman’s infant nephew died…

COVID-19 Pandemic Shifts Career Focus for Outstanding Graduate

The COVID-19 pandemic changed people’s lives in many ways. For Caitlyn Fuller, a Barbara Rood Student Choice Award recipient…

Wife Inspires Outstanding Graduate’s Career and Education

Inspiration to get into a chosen field can come from anywhere in our lives. For Aaron Lentz, a recipient…

Outstanding Graduate Furthers Education at Owens

Each of us has someone who inspires us in life. For Kassidy Scott, this year’s Business Technologies…

Outstanding Graduate Furthers Education at Owens

College is not just getting your degree and then starting your career. For others, like Phenique Lipkins…

First-Generation Outstanding Graduate Looks to Improve Community

The community you grow up in can truly shape you as a person. For Hope Escalera, the Outstanding Criminal Justice Studies Graduate…

Life Experiences Solidify Peggy Bensman Award Winner’s Future

During a difficult time in your life, you want the most caring people by your side. For Krystle Posey…

Outstanding Graduate Looks to Help Others in Future

As we lead up to Commencement this Friday, we are honoring our graduates who have gone above and beyond…

Lifelong Call to Care for Outstanding Graduate

The inspiration to get into your chosen field could come at any stage of life. For Macie Zeller…

Breaking Down Barriers

A language barrier left a deaf female student feeling isolated at Waite High School. Jon’a Devalt decided he…

Owens Student Helps Family Business Succeed

Many factors can determine your future. For Business Management Technology student…

Honoring Veterans at Owens Community College

Owens Community College is committed to serving those who have served our country…

Owens Graduate Named a Territory Champion for the John Deere Technicians of the Year Award

Owens graduate Braden O’Neil has been named a territory champion for the John Deere Technicians…

Vascular Sonography student awarded national scholarship

Working together as a team while helping others and making an impact on the lives of patients…

Outstanding Graduate Credits Life-Changing Impulse Decision for Success

A life-changing impulse decision brought this year’s Linda Myers Outstanding Radiography Graduate…

Family Inspires Outstanding Graduate to Excel at Owens

Seeing others care for a loved one can inspire people in many different ways. For Taylor Edwards…

Outstanding Graduate Inspired by Former Co-Worker

Word of mouth can have a lot of power and influence on our lives. For Chris Carr, this year’s Outstanding…

Board of Trustees Outstanding Student Recognized with Janell Lang Award

When it came time for Olivia Wesley to take the step in her higher education, she knew the dental…

First-Generation College Student Named Outstanding Graduate

Commencement is an exciting time for college graduates. For Kaylee Dombrowski, this year’s Outstanding…

Triple Major Outstanding Graduate Looks to Serve Others

Helping others and seeing the impact of work inspired this year’s Gerald Bazer Award winner to choose Owens…

Outstanding Graduate Furthers Career at Owens

Owens Community College offers different avenues for every student. For Caitlin Parker, this year’s Outstanding…

Veteran Honored as Outstanding Graduate

The journey to education looks different for everyone. For Kara McCloud, this year’s Outstanding Graduate in…

Outstanding Graduate Credits Faculty for Success

Furthering your education while in the workforce was the journey for the 2022 Outstanding Graduate in Food…

CCP, Scholarship Student Named Outstanding Graduate

Austen Nissen grew up building all kinds of things, taking them apart and putting them back together…

Outstanding Graduate Tinkers With Success

A lifelong interest in electronics brought this year’s Electrical Engineering and Computer Technologies Outstanding…

Family Inspires Outstanding Graduate to Choose Owens

Family inspires people in different ways. For Wesley Sweet, this year’s Transportation Technologies Outstanding…

Opportunities Lead Board of Trustees Honoree to Owens Community College

Opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom led Olivia Wesley to Owens Community College…

Pandemic Keeps Board of Trustees Honoree Close to Home

COVID-19 impacted students in many different ways. For TJ Tressler, it steered him to stay home and enroll at…

Board of Trustees Honors Veteran, CCP Student

Being a name vs. a number, that’s one of the reasons why Melody Proehl continued her education at Owens…

Board of Trustees Honoree Follows Family’s Footsteps

Family can influence many aspects of our lives. For Clay Santos, a Findlay-area Campus student and May 2022…

Animation Major Broadens Technical Arts at Owens

Award-winning, independent filmmaker Michael DeSanto describes his recent Bad Atom Studios short film…

Owens Nursing Student Giving Back with Career Choice

Maleah Martin of McComb decided she wanted to work in healthcare at the age of 10 after spending two years…

Owens Findlay-area Campus Offers Career Opportunities

Conner Klaft grew up in suburban Toledo and graduated from Penta Career Center, which is located minutes from…

Former Marine Takes Owens Pathway to Advanced Manufacturing Career

Justin Bennett was looking for a career change to help better his life. The former Marine found it at Owens…

Owens Grad Takes CCP Path to Ohio State Degree

Owens Community College offers students many pathways to a bachelor’s degree – all while saving money…

Toledo man turns academic success into Metroparks career

The next wave of advanced manufacturing workers will possess a skillset that prepares them for…

Leipsic Grad Making Most of Owens Opportunities

Kelly Wentworth has embarked on an Owens Community College education twice in her life…

Advancing the Region

The Dana Center is generating buzz among Owens Community College faculty, staff and students…

ELIZABETH GARN

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Student

I decided to attend Owens because of the affordable tuition and the fact that it is one of the few colleges in the area that offer a program dedicated strictly to MRI…

Owens Dual Admission Programs Create Pathway to Bachelor’s Degree

After attending a large, regional 4-year university for two years, Lauryn Dozier knew things were not working as planned…

First-generation College Grad Called to First Responder Career

Hurricane Harvey changed the lives of millions of Americans across the country in 2017. At home in Toledo…

Student Veteran Names Son after Fellow ‘Devil Doc’ KIA

As a Fleet Marine Force (FMF) corpsman deployed with the Marines Corps 2nd Tank Battalion in Iraq…

Broadcast Media Graduate Working at Telemundo

When Hanssel Martinez was 8 and growing up in his native Peten, Guatemala, his father gave him…

Explore Careers Outside Your Window

Landscaping and yardwork become immediate priorities in the Midwest in March following the long winter months…

Job Prospects for Engineers Extremely Bright

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports what Torri Slomka heard growing up in Perrysburg…

Owens Grad Studies Harmful Algal Blooms in Western Lake Erie Basin

Eric Kostecky’s thirst for researching clean water dates back to the beginning of this decade…

Owens Grad Thrives In Healthcare Career

Jocelyn Bongorno began caring for others when she was a teenager…