Lehigh Carbon Community College held its open house program on Thursday night at its new location in the Jim Thorpe Area High School building, welcoming visitors who wanted to take a look at the college's facilities and holding a program in which 2006 alumnus Bobby O'Gurek of Summit Hill was recognized.

O'Gurek, who lives with cerebral palsy, a debilitating disorder of movement, was presented the "Spirit of the Cougar" Award for his perseverance, commitment and ability to overcome adversity.Members of the LCCC Board of Trustees were joined by Jim Thorpe Area School District board members and administrators, as well as numerous visitors for the "Meet the Cougars Night" held at the college's new and impressive site in the west wing of Jim Thorpe Area High School, 1100 Center St., Jim Thorpe.O'Gurek, 34, was just as impressive. After receiving the Cougar award from LCCC interim President Dr. Ann Bieber, the young man, who communicates with assistive technology, delivered a dissertation in which he praised the role of Lehigh Carbon Community College for his development in helping him to become successful.The story fit perfectly into LCCC's motto "Start Here … Go Anywhere," said Randall Smith of Jim Thorpe, a district representative on the board of trustees who introduced O'Gurek to a sizable crowd in the college's library.Smith said the Spirit of the Cougar award was initiated in 2004 to honor people who represent the "highest standards of citizenship, valor and service to the community." Saying O'Gurek meets that criteria and is an ambassador for LCCC, Smith said, "We are proud of Bobby O'Gurek. He has demonstrated the highest ideals of the Spirit of the Cougar."O'Gurek thanked his parents, Robert and Patricia, as well as other family members for the "huge role" they played in helping him to attend classes at LCCC's Nesquehoning and Schnecksville campuses, and said the support system he benefits from is "so amazing."The honoree recognized Bonnie Young, his speech therapist since he was 5 years old, and others from LCCC, including Winnie Schappell, Linda Kelly, Cynthia Levis and Mary Rasely, and also remembered the late John Harkins, who was his English teacher at the college.O'Gurek, who earned an associate's degree in web development from the college, said, "I would like to thank everyone for this award. It is truly a honor to receive this and I will never forget how this college made a huge impact on my life."Meanwhile, Bieber welcomed visitors to the event, saying LCCC's new location in Jim Thorpe is "like coming home again." She recalled the community college began classes 30 years ago at the Carbon County Vocational-Technical School, Jim Thorpe, but then relocated to Nesquehoning after the community college and vocational-technical school "both outgrew in serving the educational needs" of Carbon County residents.She added, "For us (LCCC) it is an honor to have the opportunity to partner with the Jim Thorpe Area School District."Tim Herrlinger, executive director of the LCCC Foundation, spoke about the LCCC's newest initiative in Carbon County the Three C Scholarship. He said graduating seniors from Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Panther Valley and Palmerton high schools and the Carbon Career & Technical Institute are eligible to apply for the grants, which will fund two years of study at the Jim Thorpe campus.For more information regarding eligibility, families are encouraged to visit

www.lccc.edu/threec.He said the trustees of the college and directors of the foundation are content that "the launching pad is in place" to help residents in Carbon County pursue a college education. "We believe LCCC can help them (the students) go anywhere," Herrlinger said.Jeanne Miller, the director of administration and staff at the Carbon facility, said the new campus location affords LCCC the opportunity to provide "new opportunities, new programs and a new partnership" with Carbon County and nearby county residents.She stressed, "There is strength in the word community," adding the community college is a great opportunity for high school graduates to begin their collegiate academic careers, which, she said, often can be "a pathway to a four-year college or university degree."