7 May 2010, Oakland, CA – At the height of the dot.com boom, Timothy Spengler was a mid-level project manager of a video game company. His vision of hi-tech fortune appeared as clear as the waters of the Redwood Shores. This ended abruptly when he was laid off amidst the subsequent dot.com implosion.
Spengler tried his hands at various ventures, including operating a handyman business. He also enrolled, and excelled, in a State-funded Regional Occupational Program (ROP) in Fremont. As a matter of fact, it was when Laney College Environmental
Control Technology (ECT) Department Chair Nick Kyriakopedi visited the ROP class that Timothy immediately enrolled in the Laney Career & Technical courses.
“I recognize the value of vocational education and hands-on training,” said Spengler, “Laney enables me to pursue a career, not just a job.”
During his two-year study at Laney, Spengler completed 75 units while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. He is graduating top of the 2010 class with an Associate of Sciences degree in ECT, specializing in residential and light commercial heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration.
Spengler will deliver the valedictorian speech at College’s 2010 commencement ceremony, scheduled for Friday, May 28, 7 p.m., at the newly renovated Fox Theater.
Summer 2010 will be an exciting time for Spengler. He is getting married in June. After honeymooning, Spengler will be looking for a producer/project manager position in the fledging green energy field. And, he plans to take three more classes in the Fall semester to qualify for another AS degree in commercial heating and air conditioning.
Finally, Spengler is transforming his vision of success into reality.
For more information, contact Public Information Officer Eliza Y Chan at elizachan@peralta.edu or 510-464-3161.
