Graduate's work combines management and love of outdoors

The ideal blend of management responsibilities and opportunities to fulfill a love of the outdoors are key elements in the career success of Orlando Garcia, waterfront supervisor for Lake County Parks and Recreation Department.

The East Chicago native assumed his supervisory position at Whihala Beach in February 2003 just prior to receiving his baccalaureate degree in organizational leadership and supervision from Purdue University Calumet in May 2003.

As an undergraduate, Garcia frequently spoke to Purdue Calumet classes designed for academically at-risk students. His story's credibility was rooted in his own experience as an at-risk student.

Garcia, 25, said his father tried to instill in him the desire to achieve more than just average.

"My dad always said 'I want you to succeed where I failed,'" Garcia said.

Garcia said even with his parents' constant encouragement, he did just enough work to get by in high school, something his grades reflected. He enrolled at Purdue Calumet determined, not only to succeed, but also to finance his college education himself to show his parents that he believed education is the key to success. With the help of Purdue Calumet's Office of Student Support Services, Garcia said he was able to bring his academic skills up to university standards.

"I tried to excel while at Purdue Calumet, so I would be prepared to give back (to the community) when given the opportunity," Garcia said.

Garcia's campus involvement with Sigma Lambda Beta, a Hispanic fraternity, helped him fulfill his desire to "give back." He said the goal of the fraternity is to foster brotherhood, scholarship, cultural awareness and service. He said his involvement with the fraternity gave him something in which to succeed.

"I gained a whole different perspective, leadership and networking opportunities," he said. "It helped me understand how key they are to success."

Garcia is now pursuing a master's degree in business administration.

In 2003 Garcia was named Student Leader of the Year by Purdue Calumet's Center for Career and Leadership Development, earned an entrepreneur award from Purdue Calumet in 2004 and served on Purdue Calumet's Diversity Committee.

Garcia believes college and community involvement are good opportunities for students to better themselves. He said, through education, students not only better themselves, but the communities in which they live.