"Top 50" Student Recognized for Academics and Service

Dale Bookless likes to joke about the irony of excelling in college with a name like "Bookless." In fact, the Zane State College student’s name has been the subject of good-natured jokes from classmates since kindergarten. Nevertheless, neither his name-nor the joke-has deterred Bookless from reaching academic greatness. Recently, he was recognized as one of the top 50 two-year college students in the nation.

Winner of the prestigious New Century Scholars Award, Bookless was recognized in Philadelphia on Monday, April 7 where he represented Ohio at the Association of Community Colleges Convention. Sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, the American Association of Community Colleges, and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, the New Century Scholars Award provided a $2,000 scholarship to each of the 50 winners.

With nearly a 4.0 GPA, the recognition Bookless is receiving is well deserved. However, it is community service-not recognition-that motivates him to excel. For many years, Bookless has been a passionate advocate for those who are suffering from mental health and addiction problems-people he sees as some of the most vulnerable in the community.

"Even with the wide array of services available, I saw that there were still some needs that were unmet," Bookless reflects. Bookless became involved by attending a quality service improvement meeting. He was then appointed to the Quality Improvement Council for the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board where he just began his third two-year term. He also serves on the Mental Health and Recovery Services board of directors.

Bookless, who will graduate from Zane State College’s Human Services Assistant program in June, has viewed college as a way to continue changing both his life and the lives of others.

"College opened my mind and opened a lot of doors," said Bookless. "Before I started any of my work with addicted and mentally ill people I knew very little about services. I have since found that there’s a lot more to helping someone than what the consumer sees. I wanted to help more but I realized I needed to further my education, which has really benefitted everything I do. I can’t think of one class that hasn’t aided me in one way or another. I’ve had to use the computer skills I’ve learned as well as the interviewing techniques-all of the human services curriculum has already come into play."

When I came to Zane State College, I figured I already had some experience in this field due to my volunteer work and knew quite a bit," Bookless continues. "After one quarter, I realized my life experience wasn’t enough."

Bookless serves on the Muskingum Area Suicide Prevention Coalition (MASPC) and has developed a web site that serves a six county area. The website provides local contact information, links to other suicide prevention websites and information about joining local support groups. Bookless has also helped develop a peer-to-peer "warm line," which supplements the suicide hotline in the six county area. "The hot line was getting so tied up with people who didn’t really have emergencies," Bookless explains. "The warm line is staffed by volunteers so a lonely or worried person can talk to someone and free up the hot line for someone in a moment of crisis. It’s very cost effective because you’re not hiring more staff to answer hotlines."

"Dale has served as a great inspiration to our students and to other working adults who have considered continuing their education," said Dr. Paul Brown, president of Zane State College. "Dale is the first student from Zane State College to win the New Century Scholars Award and we are tremendously proud of him. The fact that he earned this award while working to improve the lives of people in this area makes this recognition even more special."

Bookless, characteristically humble, deflects praise by recognizing his instructors. "I wouldn’t have been able to do what I’ve done so far without the instructors in my classes. Actually, without my instructors even knowing it, they’ve probably helped me with my work projects more than they even know," Bookless chuckles. "I would bounce ideas off of them and they’ve all been willing to go that extra length."

"This education has increased the chances of me fulfilling my dreams," Bookless reflects. "After graduation, I’d like to start a homeless shelter or halfway house in the Muskingum County area. I’m also interested in continuing my education. I hope the New Century Scholarship opens up the door for additional education and training."