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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Congratulations to the Class of 2012: Timothy Gaura


This week, we profile a few of MCC’s newest graduates. In celebration of the college’s 50th anniversary, we are spotlighting members of the class of 2012 who have followed in the footsteps of family members or inspired other family members to attend MCC to fulfill their dreams of a college education.

Since he was 16, Timothy Gaura has traveled around the world on mission trips. He ran children’s camps in American Samoa and New Zealand and spent time with orphans in Haiti. Back in the U.S., he helped build a traditional home with Navajo families. Through his many travels over the years, he developed a keen curiosity about the interplay of different cultures in contemporary society.

At MCC, where he held a 3.9 GPA, he trod paths less taken by his peers to seek opportunities to enhance his understanding of cultures. For example, in his first semester, he participated in Doorway to Success, a student retention program targeted at incoming African-American and Hispanic males. ”It allowed me to further develop cultural awareness,” he said of his experience.

Now with an A.A. degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences-Humanities and Social Science and a certificate in Advanced Studies, Timothy of Penfield is a step closer to achieving his dream of becoming a cultural anthropologist. He is the recipient of several national and regional honors, including a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation scholarship. He is one of only 60 students across the country to receive the award, which provides up to $30,000 each year toward a bachelor’s degree. In the fall, he will attend Amherst College to study anthropology.

As he begins the next chapter of his life, MCC will continue to hold a special place in his heart. Timothy is the fourth member of his family to graduate from MCC. The family tradition goes back to his grandfather, Frederick Allen, who earned a degree in fire protection technology in 1980. His grandmother, Lois Allen, followed, with a certificate in audio visual technology in 1989. Both are Walworth residents. His brother, John Gaura, who lives in Penfield, graduated in 2007 with a radiologic technology degree.

After completing his undergraduate education, Timothy hopes to participate in the United Nations Young Professionals Programme, a highly competitive initiative designed for people interested in becoming an international civil servant. In addition, he intends to pursue a master’s degree through the Peace Corps Master’s International program and ultimately obtain a doctoral degree.



    Hency Yuen-Eng
    College and Community Relations
    06/05/2012