By: Kathleen Brown, Student Ambassador

Dewey Lakey graduated from the Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College on May 09, 2007 with an AAT degree in computer aided drafting. He spoke at the graduation and gave his unbelievable, truly inspirational story to many eager graduates.

Lakey had been in a car accident some time back where he had actually been dead for fifteen minutes before the E.M.T. arrived and was able to resuscitate him. In this accident he sustained many life threatening injuries including both lungs being collapsed and a ruptured spleen, just to name a couple. Lakey had to relearn how to do many things that had at one time seemed so simple to him, but Lakey is not the type of person to let something hold him back from his dreams.

Lakey was able to enroll at the OWATC when he received a scholarship from the Hall Foundation, a foundation that has helped many students continue their education. While attending the OWATC Lakey was able to acquire the knowledge necessary to obtain a job adequate to support his loving family who has been there for him all along the way. 

Lakey is the father of two beautiful children, and the husband to his wonderful wife. While attending college, Lakey was able to work full-time at Wells Cargo, while attending school part-time here at the OWATC, fulfilling his AAT degree requirements at Weber State University, and somehow finding time for his family.

When asked to reflect back on his experiences here at the OWATC, Lakey replied that the OWATC has “taught me everything I need to know, they worked with MY needs, and the instructors were all helpful and genuinely cared.”  Lakey commented on how the OWATC is more personal with its students than a more traditional university and he liked the fact that he was not just another number. Lakey had great advice for someone struggling to make it through college, he said: “Don’t sell your self short, it will be worth it!” These words should be remembered and repeated by every aspiring student, because life will get in your way, and just like Lakey, you can’t give up.

Lakey is a true student success, and his legacy will surely encourage future students as they move through their lives and reach for their dreams.