Thomas Edison State University Student Named as an American Council on Education "Student of the Year"

TRENTON, N.J. – A Thomas Edison State University student who has overcome depression and homelessness has recently been named a 2017 ‘Student of the Year’ by the American Council on Education (ACE).

LaMarr A. Smith, of Buffalo, N.Y., is a student in the university’s School of Business and Management where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree.

“I am both excited and grateful to have been chosen as ACE's ‘Student of the Year,” Smith said. “I consider this recognition a high point in my life and am thankful to the ACE organization for seeing their ideals in me. I am also appreciative to the university for allowing me the flexibility to complete my degree as an adult learner. I’m thrilled to be part of such a great institution.”

ACE’s ‘Student of the Year’ award is presented annually to an adult learner who has benefited from the use of ACE credit recommendations to earn a college degree or advance a career. To date, Smith has accumulated more than 100 college credits for workplace training toward his bachelor’s degree using ACE’s College Credit Recommendation Service (CREDIT®).

“We are proud of LaMarr for his outstanding accomplishments and honored that he has been recognized by ACE as one of their ‘Students of the Year,’” said Merodie A. Hancock, PhD, president of Thomas Edison State University. “Through his commitment to furthering his education, LaMarr is an excellent example to other nontraditional, adult students that they can realize their academic goals while continuing on with their busy lives.”

Smith, who had difficulty finishing community college and later dropped out, is now scheduled to be the first member of his family to graduate from college.

He accepted his award at ACE’s annual conference on March 13 in Washington, D.C. Smith is also the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from the organization to continue his studies.