Michelle Gerrity is a very giving person. While a student at Moraine Valley, she gave a great deal of her time as an active member of clubs and organizations, and she shared her talents and knowledge in the college鈥檚 tutoring center. Once she graduated, she continued to give through the creation of the Michelle Gerrity Engineering Scholarship.
Today, in her profession, she鈥檚 still giving. As an automotive safety crash engineer for Honda Research and Development, Michelle works to determine the safety and comfort of seatbelts, ensuring passengers are protected.
In light of Michelle鈥檚 giving, it was a natural for the college to give back to Michelle by inducting her into the Moraine Valley Alumni Hall of Fame. 鈥淚 feel honored,鈥 she said. 鈥淢oraine Valley鈥檚 education shaped me into the person I am today. Giving back to Moraine Valley and being able to be a part of students鈥 lives is very fulfilling to me.鈥
Even as an inductee, she still wants to give back. 鈥淚 want to serve as a role model for other students that they can change their lives, achieve their goals and become the success they dream to be. I want to challenge students to take risks and take advantage of the opportunities handed to them. After all, this is how I have accomplished most of my goals in life,鈥 she said.
Michelle is feeling a great sense of accomplishment. 鈥淚 was very shy and not outgoing when I started at Moraine Valley, but I made connections with students and faculty, and developed personal relations that I value to this day,鈥 she said. 鈥淏ack in the fall of 2007 when I walked into my first class at Moraine Valley, I never imagined that I would someday be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame.鈥
