President’s Message

TO OUR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS,

On behalf of Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®), I thank you for your support over the past few months as we — along with countless other colleges and universities — worked to keep teaching and learning possible during a global pandemic.

Against all odds, more than 2,500 Tri-C students completed degrees and certificates this spring. Our pride in these graduates is immeasurable. Many persevered through technological barriers, financial hardship and much more to reach their academic goals.

You’ll meet several of these amazing individuals in our Spring 2020 graduate feature, which begins on page 6.

The coronavirus outbreak has brought many new words and phrases into our vocabulary, including the term “essential workers.” In this issue of Tri-C Times, we catch up with a few of our alumni serving on the front lines of the current public health crisis. From providing hands-on medical care to hauling freight, Tri-C graduates are among those essential workers making sure life goes on as safely as possible throughout Northeast Ohio.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the hard work and dedication of the College’s Online Learning and Academic Technology team. With assistance from Information Technology Services and faculty, they took the lead in moving nearly 2,500 on-ground courses to a virtual learning platform in a matter of weeks. Through ongoing training in online learning and virtual meeting software, they ensure that Tri-C students and faculty have the tools they need to move forward in this new environment.

Others whose stories are shared on the following pages stepped up to meet challenges, too, including:

Anne-Marie and Sam Petros, whose $500,000 gift created the Petros Family Student Relief Fund to help students overcome financial hardship and continue their studies during the COVID-19 outbreak. Donors to the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation, whose generous contributions made it possible to provide more than 600 students with computers to bridge the digital divide. Student Paul Blazek, who used his computer skills and 3D printer to make “ear guards” to bring comfort to mask-wearing workers during the pandemic. Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland, which found ways to bring music to the community even after the coronavirus crisis forced the cancellation of the annual festival.

I THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT — WHETHER YOU DONATED TO THE FOUNDATION’S STUDENT EMERGENCY FUND, HELPED PROVIDE TECHNOLOGY OR OTHER RESOURCES TO STUDENTS IN NEED OR OFFERED PERSONAL SUPPORT TO A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER ATTENDING TRI-C THIS SPRING.

The pursuit of higher education can be stressful under even the best of circumstances. I’m immensely proud of Tri-C’s students for keeping their eyes on the prize in these unprecedented times. I know that they — and we — could not do it without you.

Sincerely,

Alex Johnson, Ph.D. President

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EDITOR John Horton

MANAGING EDITOR Mary Gygli

COPY EDITOR Beth Cieslik

WRITERS Erik Cassano Beth Cieslik John Horton Madeline Shepherd Katie Utrata Leanne van Beers-Werneke Jarrod Zickefoose

ILLUSTRATOR Jonathan Carlson

DESIGNER Eric Wheeler

TABLE of CONTENTS President’s Message ......................... 3 Upfront............................................. 5 Graduate Spotlight ............................ 6 Difficulties Mastered ........................14 Alumni Profile: Essential Workers.......16 Computer Distribution.......................22 Online Class Expansion ....................24 Front Line Defense ...........................27 Virtual JazzFest................................28 One Last Thing.................................30

SUMMER

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Tri - C Times is published by Cuyahoga Community College’s Integrated Communications department for its friends and constituents. Feedback and story ideas are welcome. Send correspondence to Tri - C Times, 2500 E. 22nd St., Cleveland, OH 44115; call 216-987-4322; or email editorial@tri-c.edu.