Dakota Fearn will be Carl Albert State College’s first legally blind student to graduate with an Associates Degree. Fearn is from Pocola, OK and is has just finished his degree in General Studies and will graduate in December 2019.
Dakota said his favorite part about attending CASC has been the opportunity to succeed and graduate. Dakota said he would like to become a radio personality one day and potentially move to California to pursue his dream.
‘Our faculty deserve to be recognized for the way each of them has met Dakota’s challenges and provided him with every resource he would need to succeed here,” said Crissy Keeton, ADA Coordinator and Director of the CASC Learning Resource Center. “Since Dakota is completely blind, we had a significant challenge of learning how to most effectively teach and tutor him when he needed the assistance.”
“In his years here at CASC, Dakota has been positively impacted by each tutor and instructor he has met along the way,” she said. “When he first came, we didn’t have many, if any, resources to accommodate a blind student so we had to get creative. Over time we were able to think outside the box and with compassion, patience and innovative thinking – we are so proud to see Dakota finally approaching his graduation day.”
The team effort at CASC is unique and one that deserves recognition.
“I am so impressed with the team effort and compassion of each employee here,” she continued. “Anyone, regardless of disability or challenge, can come to CASC and be successful. Our college has a passion for education and making sure each student who enrolls here will be afforded the same opportunities as anyone else. I am very proud of this college and look forward to future students we can impact and would like to congratulate Dakota once again.”
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