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LCCC students named to All-Ohio Academic Team
Lorain County Community College students John Peshek, of Elyria, and Michael Pozun, of Elyria, earned All-Ohio Academic Team honors and were honored at an awards ceremony Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium in Columbus.
Peshek was named to the All-Ohio Academic Team First Team and received a $1,000 scholarship. Pozun was selected for the All-Ohio Academic Team Second Team and received a $500 scholarship. Both students received an All-Ohio medallion. Peshek was also named a Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Gold Scholar, a national ranking that includes a $1,500 scholarship.
“John and Michael are shining examples of the students at Lorain County Community College,” said LCCC President Dr. Roy A. Church. “They are driven individuals who are committed to the betterment of themselves and their community.”
For years, Peshek struggled to make ends meet while he jumped from job to job at gas stations and factories. He knew education would be his key to financial security and he began taking courses at LCCC.
Peshek, 36, has found great success in the classroom. He carries a 4.0 grade point average and will receive an Associate of Arts degree in May 2011. In the fall, he will begin courses toward dual bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Human Resources at Baldwin Wallace College.
In his time at LCCC, Peshek has become extremely involved in a myriad of events. He served on LCCC’s Student Senate, organized a rally about local transportation issues, and serves as the treasurer to the LCCC marketing club, Students in Free Enterprise. He is also active in the LCCC Accounting and Business Association.
Peshek lives in Elyria with his wife, Rebecca, who will also graduate from LCCC in May. He serves as a parent assistant for his son’s many activities. Peshek aspires to become a certified public accountant.
Pozun knows how to turn a negative event into a hopeful future. The Elyria man was laid off after 31 years as a manager at a grocery store. Pozun, 52, used the layoff as an opportunity to pursue his passion of technology.
He began courses at LCCC in the IT fast track program, designed to quickly retrain displaced workers. He excelled in the program and continued to take courses at LCCC, where he carries a 3.9 grade point average. He will graduate in December 2011 with an associate’s degree in CISS- Network Communications Technology.
Pozun works 32 hours a week in a paid internship at Harley-Davidson Dealer Systems, where he answers IT questions from dealers across the country. In the classroom, he’s proven himself a leader by organizing extra lab time for himself and his classmates.
Pozun spends each Saturday with his brother-in-law, Matthew, who is mentally retarded. The two attend sporting events, go shopping and other activities. Pozun is also highly involved with St. Jude Catholic Church, where he is a Eucharistic minister, lector and choir member.
He plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree with the ultimate goal of becoming a network administrator.
Editor’s Note: Created in 1997, the All-Ohio Academic Team provides recognition to outstanding students in Ohio’s 23 public two-year colleges. The program is sponsored by the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC); Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society; Honda of America Mfg., Inc.; KnowledgeWorks Foundation; and the Robert and Lynne Haehnlen Sprague Scholarship Fund in honor of Joshua Haehnlen Sprague and Sean Haehnlen Sprague.
To be eligible, students must be nominated by their college president to the All-USA Academic Team. Nominees must be graduating during the 2006-2007 academic year, and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25. Winners are selected based on leadership qualities, community service and academic performance.
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