USC NEWS

Students Compare Instructor to a Rock Star
Posted 10/17/08

When you hear students describe Darrin Lawson, he appears to have almost rock-star qualities when he is instructing students in Information Systems at USC The Business College.

“It’s because he makes the class so interesting. He is so cool because he is up on technology. He’s the reason I applied to USC The Business College in the first place,” said Chris Zangari, a new freshman.
“My Madison-Oneida BOCES took a field trip to the USC campus in Canastota and he did a presentation with another instructor on how far technology has come in the past 20 years. He made it fun and interesting and I knew I had to go to USC!” Zangari added. Zangari, of Rome, started his degree in Information Systems this past September.

Lawson started at USC in the fall of 1997 as a tutor in Accounting while completing his bachelor’s at SUNY IT. He has his degree in Business and Public Management, but focuses his energy on computer instruction and technological support. “I believe in giving my all in my job and making it interesting so that others will find it a pleasurable experience,” said Lawson.

Recently Lawson accepted a position as Network Administrator for USC and now splits his time between Utica’s main campus while still instructing two days a week in Canastota. The position will enable him to assist the College with all aspects of network administration and he will be responsible for the integrity and viability of LAN/WAN networking that strands three campuses. The three sites, Utica, Canastota, and Oneonta, covers 150 miles of Central New York.

“I think Darrin is a huge asset to our college. He combines professionalism with the ability to reach students at their level. The younger kids love him because he is so hip, and the non-traditional students find him to be a great role model!" said Leslie Crosley, Director of Admissions. “We keep Darrin busy visiting high schools as well. He is a very popular presenter for workshops on internet safety, face book or my space protocol. The students always request encore performances, so we know he is able to reach them in a way that few adults can.”