Elizabeth DeYenno

On Sept. 23, 1963, Elizabeth Cichon was one of 3,039 young Clevelanders who lined up along East 14th Street to register for the newly created Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C©), then located in the former Brownell School building. That day became known as the “Miracle on 14th Street,” the largest first-day enrollment for a community college in U.S. history. It also marked the beginning of Elizabeth’s journey to obtain a degree toward a better future.

“Tri-C opened the door to endless possibilities for me,” says Elizabeth (now DeYenno). At the time one of five siblings who eagerly wanted to attend college, she knew her family couldn’t afford a traditional four-year institution. The new college’s affordability, its proximity to her home, the availability of public transportation, and a caring and committed faculty all seemed aligned to aiding her quest. Acceptance into the new school’s first class finally brought Elizabeth’s dream of higher education within reach.

Elizabeth thrived at Tri-C and held several student leadership roles, helping the college to develop and grow even as she did so herself. She served on committees to select Tri-C’s school colors (orange and brown), mascot (cougar) and class ring, and to establish its first student election board.

With the support of her instructors and a dedicated counselor, Elizabeth was one of the first 100 students to earn an associate’s degree from Tri-C, obtaining her degree in liberal arts in two years. After graduating in 1965, she went on to work for more than 40 years in computer programming and IT systems for some of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio, including Standard Oil, General Motors and Goodyear Aerospace.

DeYenno says a business communication course was the most beneficial class she took. “I learned how to speak well, write well and present myself professionally,” she recalls. That grounding in professional communication prepared her for a career that involved documenting business processes, crafting written and verbal instructions, and presenting proposals in a clear and precise manner.

Her communication skills were also put to good use 20 years after graduation, when she was the alumni speaker at another Tri-C commencement—this one a ceremony that honored, among others, her mother, Irene Cichon, who had earned her own associate’s degree. Irene, a disabilities advocate combating polio, wanted to show other people with challenges that they, too, can become a college graduate and fulfill their dreams and goals—and that Tri-C was the place to make that happen.

Now retired, Elizabeth enjoys collecting and selling unique china and sharing time with her husband and daughter. Still cherishing her Tri-C class ring, she advises current and prospective students to always persevere. “Stick to it,” she says. “Life is not a perfect path. Be open for unexpected opportunities and you will realize your goals.”