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Deaf grad shares story of success with Class of 2009
David Holland’s first stint at Clark State Community College was very different from his second.
In 1994, Holland obtained an associate degree in accounting.
It was a constant challenge for Holland, who is legally deaf, to do even simple things like take notes while watching the interpreter use sign language.
But in his second stint at Clark State — his foray back into academia came after he was laid off from a job he had worked for more than 12 years — Holland was armed with a cochlear implant and technology to help him overcome his disability.
Along with supportive faculty and staff at Clark State, the technology helped him to his goal: an associate degree in computer networking with an emphasis in cyber security, He had a nearly perfect 3.93 GPA.
As student speaker at the commencement ceremony Saturday, June 13, Holland shared some of his own experiences with Clark State’s Class of 2009. It’s the largest class the institution has ever had, with 466 graduates.
In his second stint at Clark State, Holland, 45, worked with the Office of Disability Services, was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Student Senate. He also founded the Street Outreach to Springfield organization to help the homeless.
While in school, Holland had to contend with the health issues of his wife, who has lupus, and raise three children — his wife’s two nephews and a niece — that the couple took in.
“There were definitely challenges,” Holland said. “There are so many people to thank for helping me along the way.”
But he made it.
Graduates also heard from another success story: Springfield Mayor Warren Copeland, who shared advice he learned from his father.
David Holland’s first stint at Clark State Community College was very different from his second.
In 1994, Holland obtained an associate degree in accounting.
It was a constant challenge for Holland, who is legally deaf, to do even simple things like take notes while watching the interpreter use sign language.
But in his second stint at Clark State — his foray back into academia came after he was laid off from a job he had worked for more than 12 years — Holland was armed with a cochlear implant and technology to help him overcome his disability.
Along with supportive faculty and staff at Clark State, the technology helped him to his goal: an associate degree in computer networking with an emphasis in cyber security, He had a nearly perfect 3.93 GPA.
As student speaker at the commencement ceremony Saturday, June 13, Holland shared some of his own experiences with Clark State’s Class of 2009. It’s the largest class the institution has ever had, with 466 graduates.
In his second stint at Clark State, Holland, 45, worked with the Office of Disability Services, was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Student Senate. He also founded the Street Outreach to Springfield organization to help the homeless.
While in school, Holland had to contend with the health issues of his wife, who has lupus, and raise three children — his wife’s two nephews and a niece — that the couple took in.
“There were definitely challenges,” Holland said. “There are so many people to thank for helping me along the way.”
But he made it.
Graduates also heard from another success story: Springfield Mayor Warren Copeland, who shared advice he learned from his father.