Lonny Friedland has had a long, bittersweet road to his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, which he’ll be receiving this month summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA—at the age of 44.

Back before his father died in 2001 from cancer, Lonny was enrolled at Brooklyn College pursuing his passion for psychology with the dream of becoming a psychiatrist. During that time, his dad was in remission, but when the cancer returned, Lonny left school to take a job at a cell phone store to help the family make ends meet.

”I gave up on my dream of being a psychiatrist and essentially just started to believe that my life was over. I was going to grow old and die behind some glass showcases filled with beepers and all the years of being a great student meant nothing.”

Three years later, Friedland’s life shifted into a quick and steady gear: he landed a job with T-Mobile with benefits, paid time off, and other perks. And for the next 21 years, he continued to thrive in the mobile communications industry, attaining the management level in just two years.

Other things also changed for the better: he got married and started a family with his wife. “Her family and my family became one. We have a beautiful home. We are beyond blessed,” he said.

There was one thing that Friedland didn’t achieve, however, and that was a college degree.

“As the years went by and my kids got bigger,” Lonny recalled, “it was always there in the back of my mind. Finally, three years ago, I made up my mind to go back. With the help of the most amazing adviser of all time [Dina Grant Pattelli, an adviser at CSI with whom he attended high school], I started taking classes in January 2023.”

 “When I reached out to her, she immediately made the process feel approachable and achievable,” he said. “She helped me transfer my credits, map out what I still needed to complete, register for classes, and ultimately get back into the classroom. I’m incredibly grateful for her support, because I honestly don’t know if I would have taken that step without her encouragement.”

During his journey at CSI, Friedland encountered others, mostly staff members who helped him navigate through “registration, transferring credits, degree requirements, and building a schedule that works alongside a full life and career.” There were also the outstanding professors who made an impact. “What stood out to me most wasn’t just their knowledge, but the passion they brought into the classroom. It was clear they genuinely cared about their students and wanted us to succeed. I can honestly say that every professor I had was approachable, supportive, and willing to help me do my best.”

And without hesitation, Friedland said his time at the College impacted his journey in ways he didn’t anticipate. “My experience at the College of Staten Island has absolutely influenced my professional path. Studying psychology has strengthened the way I lead, communicate, and connect with others. I truly believe psychology plays a role in every career and every interaction. Understanding motivation, behavior, communication styles, and emotional intelligence is valuable in any profession, especially in leadership roles.”

Included in Friedland’s already busy life are a love of music and a need to help others. A member of the Staten Island rock band Creatures of Habit, Friedland has used music as a vehicle to raise funds for those in need, such as victims of Superstorm Sandy and medical professionals in need of PPEs. “For me, music has always been about more than entertainment,” he explained. It’s about expression, emotion, connection, and bringing people together. If I can use music to make even a small positive impact on someone else’s life, then I feel like I’m doing something meaningful.”

As he looks forward to grabbing the academic brass ring he has sought for so long, Friedland, who is now Director of Sales for Orion Mobile, looks to pursue either a Master’s degree or an MBA.

But looking back at what he’s achieved, he said, “I am beyond proud of this accomplishment. It is the culmination of decades of hard work and a triumph over the pain of loss that caused me to drop out in the first place. I dedicate this degree to my mom who never let me forget how important it is to finish my educational journey.”

By Terry Mares