2007 Graduate Named Adult Learner of the Year

But he did. The American Council on Education (ACE), which presents the ACE Adult Learner of the Year Award annually to an adult learner who leverages professional training that has been evaluated by ACE’s College Credit Recommendation Service to advance their education or career, saw something special in Gorostiza, a resident of Delran, N.J.

“Rolando’s entry jumped out at us” said Deborah Ross Warin, assistant director of Program Evaluations at ACE.  “The nomination, submitted by his son and supported by an acting dean and a mentor from Thomas Edison State College, was a unanimous favorite among our judges.”

Recipients must demonstrate outstanding achievement in their community or workplace while successfully balancing the demands of family, career, and education. The ACE review process validated Gorostiza’s certifications and occupational training for college credits. Gorostiza traveled to San Diego, Calif., to be honored at American Council on Education's Annual Meeting on February 12, 2008, where he received the award.

“About two years ago, my children were poised to transfer their community college credits to four-year institutions,” said Gorostiza, an engineer with 25 years of engineering experience in consumer products, manufacturing processes and teaching. “I encouraged them to pursue their studies, and to do so while they were young. Yet I felt my words were hollow because I did not possess the college degree that I was so eager for them to obtain.”

If fatherhood taught him anything, it was that actions speak louder than words. The Computer Assisted Design (CAD) engineer and manager for L’Oreal USA in Clark, N.J., enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Applied Science and Technology (BSAST) degree program at Thomas Edison State College in 2005.

With multiple college students earning their degrees, the Gorostiza household was like an academic center. “The academic spirit in the home was intoxicating! I affirmed what I had suspected, that academic fervor is best conveyed by example,” said Gorostiza.

It was an example made all the more indelible as he approached center-stage to collect his degree as well as an Arnold Fletcher Award for exceptional achievement during the College’s 35th Commencement ceremonies in October.

“As a Thomas Edison State College Arnold Fletcher Award recipient, Rolando Gorostiza exemplifies achievement in nontraditional learning,” said Thomas Devine, acting dean of the School of Applied Science and Technology. “We are very proud of all of our graduates, and particularly proud of students like Rolando. Students selected for this award have demonstrated excellence in utilizing innovative learning modes.”

Gorostiza completed his degree in 19 months at Thomas Edison State College. His employer, L’Oreal USA, a strong advocate of career and academic advancement for its employees, provided tuition reimbursement.

“We are very pleased to see that ACE has chosen one of our employees to honor as Adult Learner of the Year for 2007,” noted Patrick Cafaro, vice president of Human Resources for L'Oreal USA. “We have always encouraged employees to attain their college degrees via our tuition reimbursement program. This investment in our people is one that benefits all concerned — from the employees, to their families and back to the company. We are proud of Rolando for this accomplishment as well as his drive to persevere on his own time to achieve his bachelor's degree at Thomas Edison State College.”

Gorostiza has been married for 28 years to his high school sweetheart, Silvia, who has just transferred her own credits into a baccalaureate degree program at Thomas Edison State College. The couple has a daughter, Jillian, who is pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Rider University; and two sons, Gabriel, who recently earned an associates degree from Burlington County College; and Michael, who is currently pursuing a baccalaureate degree in music theory and composition with a minor in biology at Westminster Choir College of Rider University.

“In this changing world, a degree is proof that a person is disciplined enough to meet deadlines, to reason, learn, think analytically and follow through,” said Gorostiza.

About Thomas Edison State College
Thomas Edison State College provides flexible, high-quality, collegiate learning opportunities for self-directed adults. One of New Jersey’s 12 senior public institutions of higher education, the College offers associate, baccalaureate and master’s degrees in more than 100 areas of study. Students earn degrees through a wide variety of rigorous and high-quality academic methods that can be customized to meet their individual needs. Identified by Forbes magazine as one of the top 20 colleges and universities in the nation in the use of technology to create learning opportunities for adults, Thomas Edison State College is a national leader in the assessment of adult learning and a pioneer in the use of educational technologies. The College is home to The John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy. The New Jersey State Library is an affiliate of Thomas Edison State College. Further information about admission to the College may be obtained by calling (888) 442-8372, via e-mail at info@tesc.edu or by visiting the College Web site at www.tesc.edu