Patrick J. Fallon

Patrick Fallon’s Special Education Career Started at Tri-C

For Patrick Fallon, Tri-C Class of 1975, preparing for life after high school was challenging. Like many high school graduates, Fallon wasn’t yet certain what he wanted to do with his life. However, he did know that he wanted to earn a four-year degree one day, so he researched options to take undergraduate classes that could transfer to a four-year institution in the future. Living close to Tri-C’s Western Campus and realizing its affordable tuition, Fallon enrolled in Tri-C and began taking classes that could lead to an associate’s degree and prepare him for further college-level work.

Supported by committed and caring Tri-C professors who took a personal interest in helping students succeed, Fallon earned an associate’s degree with a concentration in liberal arts in June 1975. He recalls Tri-C being a very positive experience. “I enjoyed being a part of a multifaceted learning community comprised of people from a variety of ages, racial/ethnic backgrounds and career paths,” he says. Like many of today’s Tri-C students, he and a majority of his classmates worked to pay for school, ensuring they took their responsibilities as students seriously. “We knew that getting a Tri-C education would undoubtedly open up many doors for our futures,” Fallon says.

Opening doors to further education and an exciting career path is exactly where his Tri-C roots led him. After graduating from Tri-C, Fallon transferred to The Ohio State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education in 1977. Discovering a passion for teaching students who were blind or visually impaired, Fallon went on to earn a master’s degree in special education from Michigan State University in 1980 and a master’s degree in education (school administration) from the University of Illinois in 1988. He spent the next 30 years serving in various positions in public education.

Even after retiring from public education in 2016, Fallon wanted to continue to serve young adults and their families, especially those experiencing conflict or crisis. He pursued higher education once again, earning a master’s degree in mental health counseling from Trinity International University in 2018. As a licensed professional counselor, Fallon now works part-time serving on a crisis-intervention team and volunteering with the American Red Cross as a member of its disaster-assistance team. In his spare time, he enjoys model and full-scale railroading, reading, hiking, photography and playing the guitar.

Always appreciating the strong educational foundation Tri-C provided him and the impact it had on his life, Fallon continues to support the college annually. “I want to help support the dreams of other students who want to achieve success in whatever field they pursue,” he says, adding that he’s proud to be one of the many Tri-C alumni who donate to the Tri-C Foundation each year, making certain that current Tri-C students’ needs are addressed so they, too, can reach their educational goals and find a meaningful career.

For those students considering a Tri-C education, Fallon shares this advice: “Tri-C truly is a place where you can pursue your dreams. If you’re not sure where to start, it’s a great place to begin the journey.”