Six Onondaga Community College graduates will be recognized as distinguished Alumni Faces honorees for their professional achievements and contributions to the college and the community. Their accomplishments will be highlighted during an induction ceremony April 3 at 5 p.m. in the Frederick Marvin and Ernst Schuh Recital Hall in the Academic II Building. Today we highlight honoree Wayne O'Connor '67.
Wayne dedicated his life’s work to teaching and guiding those who most needed it.
After graduating from Syracuse’s Central High School in 1965 he enrolled at OCC. He completed his associate degree two years later, earned a bachelor’s degree at SUNY Brockport, and began teaching Social Studies at Shea Middle School in 1970. More than a decade later, he became an administrator serving as vice principal, principal, and ultimately an area superintendent who oversaw 19 schools in the Syracuse City School District (SCSD).
From 2007 to 2019 he was Executive Director of Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection which serves at-risk and low-income SCSD students in grades 7 through 12 and prepares them for college or a career after graduation. During his time there, the number of students enrolled in Hillside and their graduation rates improved exponentially.
"OCC instilled in me a desire to stay in my community and serve in some capacity. That led to my over fifty-year career working with students and families in the Syracuse City School District. It is an honor to be recognized by OCC, a place that has meant so much to me throughout my life."
