Success Stories


Joe Smith, AKA Dr. Jay Thomas
Joe Smith, AKA Dr. Jay Thomas
Broadcast Media Technology

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…


Kerry Weishampel
KERRY WEISHAMPEL
Psychology Transfer Pathway

BIG Read Inspires Indigenous Peoples Advocacy Project

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


Ciara Littlefield
CIARA LITTLEFIELD
Diagnostic Medical Sonography

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…


Shelby Faulkner
SHELBY FAULKNER
Theatre Transfer Pathway

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…


Amber Lopez
AMBER LOPEZ
Social Work

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…


Veneta Blankenship
VENETA BLANKENSHIP
Registered Nursing

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…


Lila Common
LILA COMMON
Registered Nursing

Barbara Rood’s Great-granddaughter Receives Namesake Award

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


Danielle Eiting
DANIELLE EITING
Registered Nursing

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…


Alex Nyers
ALEX NYERS
Business Technologies

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…


Stephanie Logsdon
STEPHANIE LOGSDON
Education Transfer Pathway

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…


Leah Swope
LEAH SWOPE
Registered Nursing

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…


Sabrina Myers
SABRINA MYERS
Food, Nutrition and Hospitality

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…


KEVIN GANUES
Landscape and Turf Management

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…


Haley Ansman
HALEY ANSMAN
Registered Nursing

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

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
DR. DANIEL KELLEY
Dean of STEM

STEM Dean Leads Exploration of Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

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


Cara Pitchford
CARA PITCHFORD
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

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…


Austin and Morgan Copsey
AUSTIN AND MORGAN COPSEY
Occupational Therapy Assistant

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…


Rob Marchese and Bill Kobacek (left to right)
ROB MARCHESE
Owens Student Veteran
Tool and Die

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…


Nicole Buchanan
NICOLE BUCHANAN
Dental Hygiene

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…


photo of Alex Gauamis
CARA JOHNS AND ALEX GAUAMIS
Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) National Honor Society

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…


Allison Gomez
ALLISON GOMEZ
Education Transfer Concentration

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…


Halle Delos Reyes
HALLE DELOS REYES
Diagnostic Medical Sonography

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…


Al Mitchell
AL MITCHELL
Registered Nursing

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…


Christie-Ann Lewis
CHRISTIE-ANN LEWIS
Commercial Photography

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…


Marceana Black
MARCEANA BLACK
Criminal Justice Transfer Pathway

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…


Mark Telles
MARK TELLES
Industrial Mechanic

Corporate Training Turns into Degree for Outstanding Graduate

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


Hannah Owens
HANNAH OWENS
Registered Nurse Program

Former Express Basketball, Softball Player named Outstanding Graduate

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


Kristin Forman
KRISTIN FORMAN
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Program

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…


Ashley Durham
ASHLEY DURHAM
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Program

Outstanding Graduate Credits Student Support Services with Success

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


La Donia Shaw
LA DONIA SHAW
LPN/ADN Progression Program

Outstanding Graduate Furthers Nursing Career at Owens

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


Devon Powell
DEVON POWELL
Registered Nursing
Findlay-area Campus

Fostoria Native Makes Big Impact, Receives Bensman Award

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


PATRICIA RICKARD
Business Technologies
Findlay-area Campus

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…


Brianna Chochard
BRIANNA CHOCHARD
Vascular Sonography

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…


Lucy Ross
LUCY ROSS
Food, Nutrition and Hospitality

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…


Mike Leicht
MIKE LEICHT
Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician

Grandparents Inspire Outstanding Graduate

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


Aubree Rager
AUBREE RAGER
Social Work

Career Coaches and Counselors Help Outstanding Graduate Succeed

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


Tiffani Wilson
TIFFANI WILSON
Registered Nursing

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…


Alexandra Brieh
ALEXANDRA BRIEHL
Radiologic Technology

Outstanding Graduate Credits Program Involvement with Success

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


Gabe Buchholz
GABE BUCHHOLZ
John Deere Tech

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…


Alyssa Hutchins
ALYSSA HUTCHINS
Radiologic Technology

Radiologic Technology Student Awarded State, National Grants

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


Ryan Ridener
RYAN RIDENER
Associate of Arts, General Arts Concentration

Taking Steps Toward Healing

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


Jennifer Martin
JENNIFER MARTIN
Vascular Sonography

Returning Student Recognized by Board of Trustees

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


HALLE DELOS REYES
Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Diagnostic Sonography Student Named National Emerging Leader

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


KJ HARDEMAN
Registered Nursing

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…


Caitlyn Fuller
CAITLYN FULLER
Registered Nursing

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…


Aaron Lentz
AARON LENTZ
Registered Nursing

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…


Kassidy Scott
KASSIDY SCOTT
Business Technologies

Outstanding Graduate Furthers Education at Owens

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


Phenique Lipkins
PHENIQUE LIPKINS
Registered Nursing

Outstanding Graduate Furthers Education at Owens

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


Hope Escalera
HOPE ESCALERA
Criminal Justice Transfer Pathway

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…


Krystle Posey
KRYSTLE POSEY
Registered Nursing

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…


Mikaila Sweeney
MIKAILA SWEENEY
Psychology

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…


Macie Zeller
MACIE ZELLER
Registered Nursing

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…


Jon’a Devalt
JON’A DEVALT
American Sign Language

Breaking Down Barriers

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


Addison Keiser
ADDISON KEISER
Business Management Technology

Owens Student Helps Family Business Succeed

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


Adrian Smith
ADRIAN SMITH
Dental Hygiene

Honoring Veterans at Owens Community College

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


Braden O’Neil
BRADEN O’NEIL
John Deere Tech

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…


Taylor Smith
TAYLOR SMITH
Vascular Sonography

Vascular Sonography student awarded national scholarship

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


Emily Tate
EMILY TATE
Radiologic Technology

Outstanding Graduate Credits Life-Changing Impulse Decision for Success

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


Taylor Edwards
TAYLOR EDWARDS
Diagnostic Medical Sonography

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…


Chris Carr
CHRIS CARR
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Program

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…


Olivia Wesley
OLIVIA WESLEY
Dental Hygiene

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…


KAYLEE DOMBROWSKI
Vascular Sonography

First-Generation College Student Named Outstanding Graduate

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


Caitlin Jones
CAITLIN JONES
Biology Concentration
Geography Transfer Pathway
Occupational Therapy Assistant

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…


Caitlin Parker
CAITLIN PARKER
Business Management Technology

Outstanding Graduate Furthers Career at Owens

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


Kara McCloud
KARA MCCLOUD
Criminal Justice Transfer Pathway

Veteran Honored as Outstanding Graduate

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


Nakia Randleman
NAKIA RANDLEMAN
Hospitality Management
Nutrition Concentration

Outstanding Graduate Credits Faculty for Success

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


Austen Nissen
AUSTEN NISSEN
College Credit Plus
Applied Engineering and Industrial Technologies

CCP, Scholarship Student Named Outstanding Graduate

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


Dillion Gibbs
DILLION GIBBS
Electrical Engineering and Computer Technologies

Outstanding Graduate Tinkers With Success

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


Wesley Sweet
WESLEY SWEET
Transportation Technologies

Family Inspires Outstanding Graduate to Choose Owens

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


Olivia Wesley
OLIVIA WESLEY
Dental Hygiene

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…


TJ Tressler
TJ TRESSLER
Music Business Technology

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…


Melody Proehl
MELODY PROEHL
College Credit Plus
Dental Hygiene

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…


Clay Santos
CLAY SANTOS
Findlay-area Campus
Applied Engineering Technology
Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (RAMP)

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…


Michael DeSanto
MICHAEL DESANTO
Department of Fine and Performing Arts

Animation Major Broadens Technical Arts at Owens

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


Maleah Martin
MALEAH MARTIN
Registered Nursing
Findlay-area Campus

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…


Conner Klaft
CONNOR KLAFT
Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship
Findlay-area Campus

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…


Justin Bennett
JUSTIN BENNETT
Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship
Dana Center
Findlay-area Campus
Veterans Services

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…


Grace Hansen
GRACE HANSEN
College Credit Plus
Associate of Arts
Findlay-area Campus

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…


Julian Kelson
JULIAN KELSON
Electrical Associate of Technical Studies Degree
Building Maintenance Certificate
Welding Certificate
Plumbing and Pipefitting Certificate

Toledo man turns academic success into Metroparks career

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


Kelly Wentworth
KELLY WENTWORTH
Associate of Applied Business

Leipsic Grad Making Most of Owens Opportunities

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


Ruth Ammons
RUTH AMMONS
Industrial Mechanical Certificate
Skilled Trades Mechanical Associate Degree
Applied Engineering Associate Degree

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…


Lauryn Dozier, Registered Nursing Student
LAURYN DOZIER
Pre-Nursing Student

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…


Jenna Yingling, Emergency Services Student
JENNA YINGLING
Emergency Services Student

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…


Troy Sherman, Marine
TROY SHERMAN
Student Veteran

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…


Hanssel Martinez, Broadcast Media graduate
HANSSEL MARTINEZ
Broadcast Media Graduate

Broadcast Media Graduate Working at Telemundo

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


Lexey Holub
LEXEY HOLUB
Landscape Turfgrass Management Student

Explore Careers Outside Your Window

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


Torri Slomka
TORRI SLOMKA
Applied Engineering Student

Job Prospects for Engineers Extremely Bright

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


Eric Kostecky
ERIC KOSTECKY
Geography Transfer and Honors Program

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…


Jocelyn Bongorno
JOCELYN BONGORNO
Occupational Therapy Assistant

Owens Grad Thrives In Healthcare Career

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