ACE's Adult Learner of the Year Inspires Family to Follow His
Lead
Feb. 12,
2008
Rolando
Gorostiza always encouraged his children to pursue their college degrees
but felt his words were hollow as he had not graduated from college
himself. Now, degree in hand, Gorostiza is an inspiration to his
entire family.
The American
Council on Education (ACE) today named Gorostiza the 2008 Adult Learner
of the Year in recognition of his educational achievement.
The Adult
Learner of the Year Award is presented annually by ACE's College Credit
Recommendation Service (CREDIT) to an adult learner who used ACE college
credit recommendations to earn a college degree or advance a
career. Recipients must also demonstrate outstanding achievements
in their community or workplace while successfully balancing the demands
of family, career and education. ACE's CREDIT Service reviews
employer education programs nationwide and makes recommendations for
colleges and universities to award up to three college credits for each
course.
“Winners
of this award, like Rolando, inspire us, too,” noted Susan Porter
Robinson, ACE vice president, Center for Lifelong
Learning. “Despite the rigors of his career and personal
life, he worked with both an excellent employer and institution to
realize his goal. ACE is proud to provide the bridge that made that
possible.”
Gorostiza
enrolled in Thomas Edison State College's (NJ) Bachelor of Science
program in applied science and technology. He was then able to use
the credit recommendations he had earned though the ACE CREDIT service
while employed at L'Oreal USA to acquire a solid foundation for his
degree. Gorostiza received his bachelor's degree at Thomas Edison's 35th
commencement ceremonies in October 2007, at which he also received an
Arnold Fletcher Award for exceptional achievement.
“I was
exhausted most of the time, but the academic spirit in the home was
intoxicating! I never knew that I loved school so much and also affirmed
what I had suspected, that academic fervor is best conveyed by
example,” said Gorostiza, a resident of Delran, NJ, and father of
three. Currently, each of his children is pursuing a college degree
and his wife has also begun a degree program at Thomas Edison State
College.
Nominations
were reviewed by a three-person panel: Diana Thomas, vice president of
United States training for McDonalds Corporation; Clay Warren, Chauncey
M. Depew professor of communications, George Washington University; and
Deborah Ross Warin, associate director of corporate programs, ACE's
Center for Lifelong Learning.
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