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Michael J. Bossetta, Sr.
Major/Minor
Master in Education Ad. & Sup. (Secondary)
Graduating Year
December 2004
Hometown:
New Orleans, LA
Favorite subject:
School Law
Extracurricular Activities:
Flag football team. Association of Graduate Education
Students. Kappa Gamma Pi Catholic Honor Society.
I chose OLHCC because of its reputation for turning out the best educators. Additionally, the college is part of the same system as Notre Dame University, in South Bend, Ind. and is steeped in the same tradition of academic excellence. Moreover, the college espouses strong catholic ethics in its lessons and instructions. The faculty is well-appointed, as well as connected to the State of Louisiana's educational field of experts and professionals. The college is small and has a very friendly environment, and is not intimidating like the huge State schools who are looking to "weed you out." It is easy to get to know your way around as well as your professors' names and that of your Dean. In fact, they even know your name and who you are beyond your Social Security number!
Considering the aforementioned, I found the experience at OLHCC pleasant and intimate. When I first returned to classes, I found the presence of the nuns & priests, crucifixes and religious reminders throughout the college, humbling to me. It placed me back to the discipline of my younger school years and brought me closer to God. Having had the "big school" experiences, I wanted to concentrate on what was truly important and mattered to my aspirations. What I was surprised to discover was how much I opened up my mind, my heart, and my feelings in the course of my studies. Being with students and colleagues in classes helped me appreciate so many values that seemed lost.
I had fun throughout my years at OLHCC. I met my wife, Wendy, and we were married in the Chapel. (that was awesome). As I mentioned earlier, I truly resonated back closer to the Almighty and feel that was the empowering resolution to finish my courses. Without the degree I earned and the opportunity to complete my internship at Holy Cross High School, I would not have been able to secure the "dream job" I really wanted after retirement from police work. The faculty gave me the credentials to pass the praxis, and secure the job because of the college's reputation for education.
Many freshmen students want to "go away" to school and party. If they have the maturity to handle the pit falls, then great! But if you don't or if you have, and are really serious and committed to achieving a great education from a truly reputable and accredited college, than OLHCC is for you. Perhaps, one may consider forgoing that all together, and start off from the beginning at OLHCC. If you are returning for Post-Baccalaurete or a Masters degree, then the smaller intimate atmosphere is best suited for working adults.
I would like to see more student involvement in the college through a true interacting intramural or/and athletic programs. Athletics truly advertise the school and engages other colleges and inherently foster student involvement. Social interaction through school sponsored events are lacking. I feel that students really want to be involved more, and have a true sense of "belonging" to the Holy Cross family. A greater venue to enhance that feeling would be well served by the college.
I have several pleasant memories of the time I spent at OLHCC. My favorite memory at OLHCC was the flag football tournament in Monroe, LA, when the whole team and volleyball team went up to compete in a state tournament. That was so much fun, and we had great looking uniforms. Also, we played the best that weekend against LSU and Pineville College (LA). Those guys have stayed close as friends, and it was great to represent the college. I already mentioned, Wendy, and I getting married at the chapel, but there is one other memory, Graduation! I never wore a gown or cap before, not even at High School! So to be part of that for the first time was great! Also, being inducted into Kappa Gamma Pi was truly special.
I don't know if I could do it all over again, but surely I would have done things right academically the first time. I loved my previous experience at another college; the football, the sorority parties and all, but I paid the price by having to work through school. Surely, I would not have the second career at Holy Cross without this degree!
