Alumni Success Stories
Kadee Anstadt
Kadee attributes her Davis College experience for starting her down the Path of loving teaching.
When Kadee Anstadt graduated from high school in 1981 the economy was poor and job potentials were slim. Kadee heard there were opportunities for individuals with keypunching skills so she came to Davis College to take a couple of keypunching classes. While taking these classes she became involved with putting together the College yearbook. Being involved in Davis activities sparked Kadee's interest in continuing her education, and she enrolled in the Business Administration program.
Executive Vice President and Academic Dean Carolyn Scharer hired Kadee to help with administrative duties as a work-study student. Upon graduating from Davis in 1983 Kadee continued to assist Mrs. Scharer as an Administrative Assistant. In 1984 life events lead Kadee to leave Davis and move to Cleveland. She started a new job working in the printing industry as a sales rep for Great Lakes. Kadee set new standards for herself by becoming the first two million dollar sales rep for the company.
With success came long hours and soon her job started to affect her family life. Kadee left Great Lakes to open an at home dog kennel business so she would be available to take care of her young children. She also decided to continue her education at Siena Heights University to earn her Bachelor's Degree in Business. While working on her new degree Kadee became passionate about education and chose to dedicate her life to being a teacher. After obtaining her Bachelor's Degree she enrolled at Baldwin-Wallace College to earn her Master's Degree to turn her passion into a career.
After graduation from Baldwin-Wallace College Kadee began teaching fourth grade at a school in Hudson, Ohio. Kadee could see not only the potential of her students but also the potential of the future of education. She began to push the boundaries of the use of technology in the classroom and worked hard to obtain grants to financially assist the development of her students. Years later Kadee moved back to Northwest Ohio and currently teaches in the Perrysburg School system. At Perrysburg Kadee continues to pioneer education as she works with gifted fourth and fifth grade students with exceptionally high IQ levels.
Kadee attributes her Davis College experience for starting her down the path of loving teaching. She firmly believes learning is a lifetime experience and there are always new adventures awaiting anyone who believes in education.
Nancy Beckman
Nancy credits her work experience at Davis for preparing her to own and operate her own company.
For Nancy Beckman, life has presented many unforeseen changes. For 10 years Nancy worked in hotels, building a respective and enjoyable career. Her world changed forever when her father became ill. Nancy wanted to help take care of her father but knew she wouldn't be able to with the schedule demands her hotel job required. Nancy quit her job to be there for her father in his time of need.
While helping to take care of her father, Nancy felt she wanted to find success in a new career. Going to college would still give Nancy the freedom to care for her father, while training for a profession that would help her in the future. She came to Davis College and enrolled in the Travel and Airline Office Management program.
For the next two years, Nancy worked very hard to do well in school and to help support her parents. At one point Nancy worked as many as six different jobs while going to classes. Nancy eventually started working at Davis while she was a student. She helped the College in the bookstore, as a night receptionist, and as an office assistant to Mary Ryan, the Dean of Student Services. In 1985, Nancy completed her program and received her Associate degree from Davis College.
Upon graduation, Nancy was hired at Meadowbrook Catering. This opportunity would open new doors for Nancy and lay the groundwork for what she would do for the rest of her life. She fell in love with catering and enjoyed the variety this career offered. After many years of working with other catering businesses, Nancy cofounded Premier Catering with Joe Skaff. She truly enjoys operating a catering business and looks forward to the challenges that come with each new day.
Nancy credits her work experience at Davis for preparing her to own and operate her own company. Her time working at the Davis bookstore taught her valuable ordering techniques and cost control methods that she applies to her business. Nancy feels her Davis education helped her to develop effective people skills that have helped her client base to grow through offering quality customer service.
Andy Berkhoudt
Andy Berkhoudt believes that attending Davis College opened many doors in both his personal and professional life.
Andy Berkhoudt believes that attending Davis College opened many doors in both his personal and professional life. His education at Davis not only led him to attaining the work experience he needed to start his own business, but it also allowed him to meet the individuals that would eventually change his personal life forever.
Andy, who earned a Commercial Art degree from Davis in 1994, cites the small class sizes and the personal instructor attention he received at Davis as playing important roles in building his professional career. Upon graduation, a faculty member at Davis helped Andy to gain employment as a Graphic Designer at ERD Specialty Graphics in Toledo, where he worked for six years. Today, Andy is the owner of Creative Sign Company in Toledo. Creative Sign offers a wide variety of services from printing vehicle graphics, commercial signs and banners, as well as offering quality screen-printing and embroidery. Through building relationships with his customers, Creative Sign Company's business has grown considerably. Many of Andy's clients become repeat business not only because of the quality work, but also because of the outstanding customer service Andy offers.
While Andy was employed at ERD, he met someone who invited him to attend Grace Church. His decision to attend Grace has changed his life, and other lives, forever. Andy is very involved at Grace and has traveled to Mexico to help an orphanage with housing renovations. He has developed many friendships with the orphans and some of the local families to which he still communicates with today. Andy even sacrificed a recent Christmas at home to be in Mexico with his newfound friends. He truly believes in their hopes and dreams and cherishes how his life has played a part in their lives. The success of Creative Sign has given Andy the freedom to continue to help individuals who are less fortunate. In 2005, Andy and Grace Church are planning a trip to Poland to offer their services to those in need, both domestically and spiritually.
Marvin Bovia
After graduation, Marvin was asked to become a part-time instructor at Davis due to his outstanding scholastic performance and years of managerial experience.
In 1987 Marvin Bovia knew there were going to be upcoming changes in his future. He was Operations Manager at Linde Gas and had been working there for many years. Much to Marvin's dismay, he began to hear rumors Linde was going to be sold to another gas company. He became concerned over what his role would be with the new company if Linde would be purchased. With the strong possibility of having to look for a new career, Marvin decided he needed to have a degree to find a quality job.
Marvin looked into attending Davis because he had heard good things about the College. With the guidance of an Admissions Representative, Marvin decided to enroll at Davis in the Business Administration/ Micro Accounting program. For the next year and a half, Marvin continued to work full time at Linde and attended a heavy course load at Davis in the evenings. Marvin received his Associates Degree in 1989 when he graduated from Davis with honors.
After graduation, Marvin was asked to become a part-time instructor at Davis due to his outstanding scholastic performance and years of managerial experience. For years Marvin continued to work at Linde during the day, and teach at Davis in the evenings. In 1994, the inevitable happened and Linde was sold to another gas company. The enjoyment of working with the students at Davis prompted Marvin to pursue teaching as a full-time career. Marvin enrolled at Spring Arbor University and in 1996 he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Management and Organizational Development with top honors and a 4.0 grade point average.
Marvin has been a full-time instructor at Davis since 1996. In 2000 he became the first President of the Davis College Alumni Association. Marvin has also served as a member of the Ohio Business Teachers Association and the Reserve Officers Association.
Peggy Bovia
The confidence Peggy gained from her father to become a valuable employee at Malcolm Meats.
Peggy Bovia was happy with her job at Malcolm Meats. She wanted to excel in her current position and had a goal of someday moving up in the company. Her father, Davis Instructor Marvin Bovia, suggested she should come to Davis College to earn a degree that would help her achieve her professional goals.
In 1997, Peggy enrolled at Davis in the Computer Application Specialist program. It wasn't easy trying to juggle a full time job and the intense responsibility of a college workload. She knew an education at Davis was important to her career, but there were many moments of self-doubt and uncertainty. Sometimes Peggy had little confidence in herself and she wondered if she made the right decision to go back to school. There was one person who stood by her side and encouraged Peggy to keep going: her father. Peggy cites the never-ending support her father gave her as the reason why she was able to succeed both at Davis and at Malcolm Meats. He gave her the strength to carry on through tough homework assignments and nerve racking oral presentations. All of Marvin Bovia's support paid off when he was able to watch Peggy walk across the stage when she graduated from Davis in 2001.
Peggy has climbed the ladder at Malcolm Meats since graduation. Her current title is Director of Human Resources and also serves as the Executive Assistant to the President of the company. Peggy also handles the marketing and presentation creation for the upper officers of Malcolm Meats. The confidence she gained from her father and Davis College has helped Peggy to become a valuable employee at Malcolm Meats. When a challenging task is thrown her way, she is now able to step forward and say, "Hey, I can do that."
Ellen Dorian
Ellen decided going to college was the right thing because she wanted a career and not just another job.
Ellen Doran was forced to rethink her career goals when the Sam's Club she worked at in North Toledo closed its doors in the mid 1990's. While seeking new employment, Ellen was introduced to an opportunity to return to school for free. She discovered a program where the Private Industry Council paid for a displaced worker to earn an Associate Degree. Though she was nervous about going back to school, Ellen decided it was the right thing because she wanted a career and not just another job.
Ellen chose to come to Davis because of the small class environment. She enrolled in the Managerial Accounting program because while working in the cash office at Sam's Club she discovered she enjoyed working with numbers. With the strong support of her family and instructors, Ellen did very well in her classes, graduating from Davis in 1997 with a 4.0 GPA.
After graduation, Ellen worked at Davis in the Business Office. One year later a fellow Davis graduate helped Ellen to get a job at an area accounting firm. The professional experience she received working at the firm helped Ellen to land a position in the offices of B. William Bucher, a local construction sub contractor. In this position Ellen performed nearly all of the office duties from preparing taxes to administrating employee payroll. Though she loved working for B. William Bucher, most of her days were spent working by herself. Ellen enjoyed interacting with people and she was not able to do this while working in this position.
One Sunday Ellen noticed a posting in her church bulletin for an Assistant Treasurer position at Central Catholic High School. She applied for this opportunity and was soon hired. At Central Catholic, Ellen has found the career she has always wanted. She enjoys interacting with the students and staff members as well as performing her day-to-day accounting responsibilities. Ellen has decided to go to school once again to earn her Bachelors Degree with hopes of moving up within the Accounting Department at Central Catholic.
Jennifer Drouillard
Jennifer became the first in her family to ever graduate from college.
Jennifer Drouillard always had a desire to be a designer. Growing up, she often focused her creative talents through painting and illustration. Though she dreamed of an artistic career, Jennifer did not pursue college because she is dyslexic. As time went by, Jennifer got married, had three kids, and continued to illustrate and paint in her spare time.
Though she was very happy with her family life, Jennifer still yearned for a career as a designer. In her heart, she knew she would be a success and could overcome any barriers her dyslexia would create. With the strong support of her husband and family, Jennifer decided to enroll in the Graphic Design program at Davis College. At first, Jennifer did not know what to expect in her Davis courses and felt like she was out of her comfort zone. She credits the friendly instructors and small class sizes at Davis for helping her to get over these concerns and to excel academically. In 2001, with a 3.9 GPA, Jennifer became the first in her family to ever graduate from college.
After graduating from Davis, a friend suggested that Jennifer should apply for a graphic design position at Central Catholic High School. In her interview, Jennifer impressed her potential employers with her design knowledge and versatile portfolio. Jennifer's lifelong dream to be a designer came true a week later when she was hired as the graphic designer for Central Catholic High School.
In addition to her duties at Central Catholic, Jennifer has found success as a freelance designer. As a freelancer she has designed logos, brochures, and business cards for numerous clients. Her most recent project was designing a cover for a book published by an area business owner.
Matt Gabrielson
Matt credits what he learned at Davis as playing a valuable part in being successful in his career.
When Matt Gabrielson visited Davis College in 1987, he instantly knew it was the right school for him. He decided to enroll at Davis because the staff was very friendly and they made him feel right at home. While taking classes Matt respected the professional attitude of his teachers and valued the many relationships he forged with his fellow students. After two years of hard work Matt graduated from Davis with a Business Management Associate Degree.
Upon graduation Matt started a management-training program at Picway Shoes. After a year he accepted a manufacturing position with Textron, one of the world's largest and most successful multi-industry companies. Matt worked his way up to becoming a Production Supervisor, which led to a Unit Manager opportunity with Textron's Homelite division in North Carolina. After moving his family, the Homelite division was sold and Matt was left without a job. He had a difficult time finding a position at the same level after the Homelite division closed. Matt reevaluated his goals and decided he needed to further his education to find a successful career.
In 2001, Matt went back to school at Montreat College and graduated with Honors with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. He quickly found employment as a supervisor for KS Bearings and was sent to Germany to train on some new specialized machinery for a new start-up plant in South Carolina. In an effort to move back to Ohio, Matt accepted a Production Supervisor position with Tower Automotive, Inc. in 2002 and was promoted in 2004 to Material Manager. He remains with Tower today and was recently promoted to North America Material Manager. Matt looks forward to going to work and enjoys the challenges of working with budgets and planning the Tower plants' every production move. He credits what he learned at Davis as playing a valuable part in being successful in his career.
In addition to his everyday responsibilities Matt stays active in his community with Boy Scouts of America, Pack 443, and serves as a trustee on the board for St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Tiffin. He also plans on going back to school to earn his Master's Degree so that he can teach a college course someday.
Ajun Gokyigit
"If a person can face their experience with a positive attitude, then positive results will always come out of them."
Originally from Turkey, Ajun Gokyigit moved to the United States in 1985. She desired better education opportunities for her son who was exceptionally gifted with computers. By the time he was a freshman in high school, Ajun's son was taking college courses. A little time later Ajun decided to pursue a career of her own. With an interest in clothing, she enrolled in the Fashion Merchandising program at Davis College.
Ajun applied herself and graduated from Davis in 1993 with a 4.0 GPA. The education she received at Davis helped her to succeed at several high profile retail chains including Jacobson's, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Ajun currently works as the Store Director for Victoria's Secret in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She oversees the daily retail operations and manages nearly 50 employees. Ajun's store is consistently in the top 12% in total sales out of nearly 1350 Victoria's Secret locations across the U.S.
Ajun has also served as a part-time instructor in the Fashion Merchandising program at Davis College. She truly appreciates how Davis instructors often bring their real world experiences to the students. Ajun hopes that Davis students will always strive for the best and will not settle for anything less. She feels everything a person experiences in life is a learning experience. If a person can face these experiences with a positive attitude, then positive results will always come out of them.
Ronald Goodall
Ronald credits Davis College as giving him the necessary preparations to successfully own and operate his own business.
Though he had a successful career in the military, Ronald Goodall had aspirations to own his own business. In 1996 he decided to go back to school to pursue his dream. Ronald attended Davis College as a part time student. He chose Davis because of the flexible course schedules and small class sizes. Ronald enjoyed Mr. Roger Smith's math course and the stimulating discussions in his business and economic classes. After years of hard work and persistence Ronald graduated from Davis in 2002 with an Associate Degree in Business Management.
After graduation Ronald continued to be successful in his military career. As of 2007 he has served eleven years in the Air Force and fifteen years active duty with the Air Guard. His current rank is Senior Master Sergeant and is the Recruiting & Retention Superintendent for HQ Vermont Air National Guard located in South Burlington, Vermont. Ronald is also the principal administrator in Vermont for all Air National Guard programs associated with the Recruitment & Retention of military members. In addition, he advises senior commanders on all force management issues and serves as the Co-Chair of the Cultural Diversity Enhancement Team. During his years of service Ronald has received several major awards and decorations including two Secretary of Defense awards and an award from the Ambassador of South Korea.
While excelling in his military career Ronald has also realized his dream by owning successful businesses. He is co-owner and CEO of RHG Enterprises, a family owned operation that owns several service-oriented venues. Ronald also owns Alterations and More, which is one of Toledo's premier tailors. Alterations and More has grown considerably through offering quality service while offering helpful advice to its customers. Ronald credits Davis College as giving him the necessary preparations to successfully own and operate his own businesses.
Ronald has also been very active in several community activities. He currently serves as a member of the Vermont Employment Diversity Network, the Korean Association of Greater Toledo, and the Urban League. Ronald has formerly held positions as Executive Committee Director, Adelante and Executive Committee Member, Club Taino Puerto Ricano. He is also a proud supporter of the Bosnian Refugee Community in Vermont.
Jill Gosselin
Jill credits the education she received at Davis as perparing her to figure out what she didn't know how to do.
Jill Gosselin started at Davis College not as a student, but as an employee. She had spent five years as a stay at home mom and was looking to find a job that would get her back into the workforce. Jill answered an ad in The Blade to fill the open night receptionist position at the College because it would be perfect to accommodate her family schedule.
One evening, Ms. Ruth Davis, President Emeritus, called Jill into her office because she needed help with the phone system. As Jill solved the phone problem, Ms. Davis inquired about Jill's interest in attending college. Jill told Ms. Davis that although she had previously taken classes at UT, she had not considered pursuing an education due to the time restraints of raising her two children. Ms. Davis shook her finger at Jill and said, "Go to school! You need an education." Apprehensive at first, Jill realized Ms. Davis was right. She needed an education to do something more with her life. Taking the advice of Davis' career coordinators, she enrolled in the Managerial Accounting program at Davis College.
After graduating in 2000, Jill obtained a job as a project administrator at S. E. Johnson, a major road contractor in Ohio. After two successful years with S.E. Johnson, Jill accepted a position at Genesis Contracting Incorporated, an environmental contracting firm that specializes in the removal and installation of fuel storage tanks. Genesis is a small company which operates nation wide. As office manager Jill is responsible for all administrative job duties including payroll, accounts payable and receivable, and human resources. She credits the education she received at Davis as preparing her to figure out what she didn't know how to do.
Jill remains active in her children's lives. She has been her daughter's Girl Scout Troop Leader since 1997. Utilizing her accounting skills, Jill records and processes the financial information for her church's youth group ministries.
Marcia Eiser Grossman
The Ohio Council of Private Colleges and Schools honored Marcia with the Master Teacher Award in 1991.
Marcia Eiser Grossman started teaching in 1965 after receiving her Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Toledo. She only taught elementary education for one year at the Toledo Hebrew Academy before deciding to stay at home and start a family.
As Marcia's kids became older she returned to work, finding a job in retail. Though Marcia was thankful to have a job, she regretted not utilizing her college education. Deciding she didn't want to return to teaching elementary and high school students, Marcia came to Davis College to pursue a different career. Marcia enrolled in the Accounting program because she always had an interest in bookkeeping. Marcia's credits from the University of Toledo transferred to Davis and after only six quarters she graduated in 1982 with an Associate Degree in Business Administration, Accounting.
Soon after graduation, Marcia was hired as a part time instructor at Davis. This led Marcia to call Davis College her home for the next nineteen years. She became a full time instructor, teaching in the accounting, math, finance, and computer areas. Marcia served several years as the Business Department Chair and the Accounting Program Coordinator. She worked closely with the students as a Student Advisor and helped on the Assessment Team and Academic Services Committee. The Ohio Council of Private Colleges and Schools honored Marcia with the Master Teacher Award in 1991. In 2001, Marcia decided it was time to step away from teaching to spend more time at home.
Marcia graciously helped Davis by coming out of retirement in 2005 to teach a couple of classes. She also works limited part time hours as a cash office associate at Sears and as a bookkeeper for John F. Potts. Marcia also devotes some of her time to working with non-profit organizations in the distribution of money to different charities.