Thomas Edison graduates overcome challenges

Sunday, October 11, 2009
Trisha King
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
TRENTON -- Every day, they are the ones who encourage others and tell them that they can overcome their challenges and succeed. Yesterday, however, four graduates of Thomas Edison State College achieved their own success as they obtained their bachelor's degrees at the college's 37th commencement ceremony, held in Patriots Theater at the War Memorial.

Andre Monday, coordinator of Trenton PEERS program at the Mill Hill Child and Family Development Corporation; Meredith Marcus, program manager at ARC Mercer; and Joanne Monaco and Gary Montgomery, both of whom work with adults with autism at Eden Institute in Princeton, all overcame their own personal challenge of earning a degree while maintaining a career and enthusiastically received their degrees along with nearly 400 other graduates.

Marcus earned her bachelor's degree in psychology. She said it took a lot of hard work and perseverance.

"It was a little difficult working full time and going to school at the same time, but Thomas Edison made it a lot easier with their online courses," she said.

During the ceremony, Sarah Finley, who received a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, spoke on behalf of the graduates. She said that it was not easy and that they overcame adversity to make it to this point. She said they are now equipped with skills and abilities to face the future.

Also during the ceremony, honorary degrees were conferred upon George Fricke and Nicholas Carnevale, both of the Thomas Edison Board of Trustees, and Harold Shapiro, president emeritus of Princeton University.

Fricke urged the graduates to consider volunteerism and to work in some worthy cause, while Carnevale encouraged graduates to go further in education, saying that perhaps the graduates will see that "I did it once, I know that I can do it again."

Shapiro commented on the educational challenges facing America and said that through institutions like Thomas Edison and adult learning, the "educational glass ceiling" can be broken.

Many of the graduates of Thomas Edison State College are adults with career and family obligations, and overcome the odds of earning a degree in the face of demanding schedules.

For some, the achievement of obtaining a degree legitimizes the work they are already performing on their jobs every day.

Monday, who works closely with young adults in the Trenton PEERS program, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Services. Monday said that he encourages the young people he works with to continue in school and not to stop with a high-school diploma. He said that while he was earning his degree, he was able to serve as an inspiration to them. "I was trying hard, just making sure that I succeed so that I can be a positive role model to the teams in which I educate," Monday said. "It's about teaching someone else something that you've learned

Eden Autism Services Reponses to new Study.

EDEN AUTISM SERVICES RESPONDS TO NEW AUTISM STATISTICS

Princeton, NJ -- Eden Autism Services, the not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism and their families reacts to the new study indicating that the prevalence rate of autism has increased to one in every 91 children; with boys being one in 58.

“It is not surprising to hear that the incidence of autism continues to increase, and people need to know and understand that this increase is only partially due to better diagnoses and an expanded criteria,” says Eden President & CEO, Dr. Tom McCool. “The increase is real, and although research funds are very important to help identify and cure autism, we should not ignore the needs of those children, adults, and families already impacted by autism who need and will continue to need individualized, supportive educational, residential, and employment services. The autism community needs to insure that both research and treatment needs are addressed in public funding and philanthropic circles.”

The new findings were published in the American Academy of Pediatrics’ journal Pediatrics and was based on a 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) which gathered information from more than 78,000 parents on whether their child currently had an autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis.

According to Eden Chief Clinical Officer, Anne Holmes, “it is overwhelming to think of how significantly the incidence of autism has grown in just a few short years.” She is hesitant to deem that the numbers of have gone up from just better diagnosis. She believes that now, more than ever, research into the cause and services for those diagnosed are crucial.

Since 1975, Eden Autism Services has been improving the lives of individuals with autism and their families. The not-for-profit organization counts among its programs year-round educational services, early intervention, parent training, respite care, outreach services, community-based residential services, and employment opportunities. For more information, visit www.edenautismservices.org or call (609) 987-0099.