Student Finally Becomes An Alumnus Four Decades Later

"I confer upon you your associate's degree with all of the rights, privileges, and obligations pertaining to that degree and program. Congratulations!"

And with those words from Onondaga Community College President Dr. Warren Hilton, Tom Soccocio Jr's journey to a degree came to a celebratory conclusion some 37 years after it started.

Soccocio, Jr. was enrolled in OCC's Radio & TV program from 1986 to 1988 while he was also working full-time in the radio business. He was on the cusp of completing his degree when schedule conflicts prevented him from doing so. It wasn't until many years later he wanted to finish what he had started. "As I got older, I felt bad I didn't have that piece of paper."

In his role as Creative Director at Zoey Advertising and co-host of weekly radio talk show "The Local Show" along with Steve Roberts, a 1982 OCC alumnus, they had Dr. Hilton on as a guest early in the first year of his Presidency. Soccocio, Jr. shared his story with Dr. Hilton, and the process of completing his degree began.

Thanks to months of work administered by OCC Onboarding Director Ryan Nellenback, Soccocio, Jr. was awarded credit for prior learning. On June 7 President Hilton and Nellenback went to the offices of Zoey Advertising on Spencer Street in Syracuse. While recording an interview for the latest edition of "The Local Show," Soccoio, Jr. was presented with his Broadcast Media Communications degree while decked out in a cap and gown. "I'm glad I can finally cross that off my list at age 59," said Soccocio Jr. after the presentation.

The Local Show airs Saturday's at 11:00 a.m. and Sunday's at 7 a.m. on WSYR Radio, 570 AM. Soccocio, Jr's degree presentation and conversation were highlighted during an episode which aired June 10 and 11. You can listen to and view the interview by clicking on this YouTube link.