Jonathon Dull named January Rotary Student of the Month
Terra State Community College interactive media student Jonathon “JJ” Dull has been named the College’s Fremont Rotary Student of the Month for January 2020. The Calvert High School graduate chose Terra State because he felt “Terra State was a cost-effective way to get started in my field of study. The Workforce Demand Scholarship seemed too good to pass up.”
JJ’s friendly personality and ambition has put him on a path to a successful life. “JJ’s academic record speaks for itself with a 4.0 GPA,” says his nominator and Academic Service Center (ASC) Liaison Leilani Kiser-Jones. “He has a drive to succeed and to make the world a better place for future generations.”
Life has not always been easy for JJ. After his parents divorced, his father committed suicide in January 2019. This tragedy filled JJ with sadness and suicidal thoughts. “JJ has taken all this negativity within his life and turned it into a positive,” said Leilani. “He has created a social media platform called ‘You Matter Media’.”
“You Matter Media” can be found on Facebook and Instagram and serves as a social media community focused on breaking the silence around mental illness. JJ misses his father every day and says, “That is why I created these accounts—in hopes of saving others from having to deal with this grief. Whether it is you or a loved one, understand how big of an impact suicide has on the lives of everyone you know and love.”
Despite his difficult past, JJ excels in everything he does. He is a part of the Phi Theta Kappa honors society, the Terra State Social Media Team and he works in the ASC. Leilani enjoys having him in the ASC. “JJ has great customer service skills and an attitude that brings a smile to your face. He will step up to assist anyone in need--from a faculty member needing help with testing procedures or a student making up a test,” she says.
JJ also stays busy as an active community member. He is an avid supporter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and helps people when they are in need—even if that means helping them break into their own car after they locked themselves out. He also can be found practicing his photography skills in the community.
After JJ graduates this May, he plans to attend Bowling Green State University (BGSU) and work for Element Fitness as a personal trainer. He is happy with the experience he has had at Terra State. “I was able to meet and network with so many amazing people,” he says. “I’ll remember the friends I’ve made at The Landings, the social media team, my coworkers in the ASC, my family-like class environment, the Phi Theta Kappa team and everyone else who helped me along the way.”