Success Stories: |
Cathy Soldan
Erin Hennon |
A Graduation to Remember
Cathy Soldan was 39 when she decided
to try college for the first time. A
secretary in OCC’s Counseling department at the Highland Lakes Campus for
the past five years, Cathy knew that a degree was the key to further advancement
in her job. So she started on an associate in applied science degree in Business
Information Systems. This degree prepares graduates for employment opportunities
as administrative professionals, office coordinators or executive assistants by
providing a good background in many facets of computer hardware and software, as
well as accounting, economics, business law and other business-oriented classes.
Cathy laughingly recalls that when she first went back to school, she received more than a little help "especially with the math" from fellow students. She completed her degree in five years, taking a class or two each term while working full time and juggling the demands of home and family. She says it’s going to "feel wonderful not to be in class for a while." Cathy may consider returning to school in a year or so, after her younger daughter is finished with high school…and all those soccer games to which moms have to drive avid players.
But part of what makes Cathy’s graduation so special is that she walked across the stage to receive her diploma with her daughter Angela, whose OCC degree is in Business Management. Angela plans to attend Oakland University this fall to complete a bachelor’s in her field.
Erin Hennon Awarded College's First Lifetime Achievement Award
Erin Hennon is a successful senior project engineer with Dana Corporation. He’s also the recipient of OCC’s first Lifetime Achievement Award.
Erin was a member of the 1985 pilot class of the Manufacturing Technology Program (MFG). Since earning his certificate with honors in 1987, Erin has continued to support and promote OCC: He is a member of the MFG Advisory Committee, sponsors students in the program, arranges for student tours of his plants and speaks at OCC events.
With Dana for three decades, Erin credits OCC with exposing him to the concept of computer integrated manufacturing, a concept he implemented in his job, resulting in an award-winning cost-savings program.
Erin describes the relationship between Dana and OCC as "unique": "It's a down-to-earth relationship between industry and education that addresses the biggest need at Dana - training its employees. But it goes beyond giving individuals new job skills; it gives them a whole new way of thinking."