COD names two 'Outstanding Graduates' for 2011
Lisa LaRose of Wheaton and Matt Brousil of Brookfield took different paths to College of DuPage, but both have excelled in their studies and have been named the 2011 Outstanding Graduates.
Brousil, who graduated from Lyons Township High School, chose College of DuPage after receiving a scholarship to the Glen Ellyn institution. He has earned both Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees.
LaRose, who dropped out of high school and later earned her GED, watched as all three of her daughters took classes at COD. She finally decided the time was right to enroll and has earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing.
During his time at COD, Brousil was a member of the Living Leadership Program, the Student Leadership Council and the Endowment for Future Generations. This summer, he will intern for WeFarm America, where he will start an afterschool urban gardening and composting program.
“Last year, I was just feeling my way around and getting a handle on the atmosphere,” he said. “But I knew how important it was to get involved with other students and learn from their perspectives.”
Brousil was equally impressed with his instructors, including Casey Slott, associate professor of Speech; Richard Jarman, professor of Chemistry; and Michelle Moore, professor of English. It was Moore who told him about Evergreen College in the state of Washington.
“She thought it was the perfect fit for me, so I visited and fell in love with it,” he said. “She was the one who ultimately gave me the idea to explore environmental studies.”
Brousil would like to study sustainable agriculture and community sociology. Eventually he'd like to go into research and then teach.
“I'd like to pass along what I've experienced at COD,” he said. “I want to help kids discover how exciting it can be to explore something in-depth and then turn it into something they can pursue in their lives.”
LaRose had completed college courses in programming and computer management but never attended full time. Once at COD, she encountered professors who were more than willing to help, such as Larinda Dixon, professor of Nursing.
“I spent 24 weeks with her during my clinicals,” LaRose said. “She is responsible for where I am today in terms of the nursing capabilities I now have.
“But I was amazed at all of the professors, from the Nursing program to my general education classes. I never had a professor who didn't want to go the extra mile. Everyone from start to finish has been so helpful and interested in my success here. It's clear they stand behind what they are doing.”
In addition to her class work, LaRose was a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She's now preparing for the RN licensing exam, after which she would like to earn both bachelor's and master's degrees. Her ultimate goals are to work as a hospice nurse and teach as a clinical instructor at COD.
“My experience at College of DuPage has been great,” she said. “The value of the education that you receive for the price you pay is really outstanding.”