Ethan Trzcinski has endured significant hardships.
And he’s persevered through it all to earn his bachelor’s degree in law and social thought.
CELEBRATING SUCCESS: UToledo recognizes the Class of 2024 with a series of stories featuring students receiving their degrees at fall commencement.
Graduating Dec. 14, Trzcinski said his biggest struggle was dealing with the passing of his mother, following her stage four colon cancer diagnosis.
“My mom was diagnosed about a year ago and passed away this past summer,” Trzcinski said. “Moving on has been hard but I know she wanted me to finish my degree. Despite struggling with the anxiety and depression of losing her, I decided to enroll in 19 credit hours this semester.”
On top of those 19 credit hours, he has been caring for his younger brother, Isaiah, full time, which he said he considered an accomplishment.
“My little brother has special needs and is completely unable to take care of himself,” Trzcinski said. “I was hired as a caregiver and am now his primary caregiver. To care for him, I work 40 hours a week and am always on call while also being a full-time student.”
Trzcinski began taking care of Isaiah after the pandemic, during which outside caregivers were unable to be near his immuno-compromised brother.
Given his circumstances, Trzcinski said he has done the best he can and found outlets through campus organizations.
Following his mother’s death and being the full-time caretaker of his younger brother, Ethan Trzcinski will receive his bachelor’s degree in law and social thought.
“I have attended many bible studies over the semesters. This past semester, I helped create a bible study and I help run it each week. I am also a member of the Law and Social Thought student government,” he said. “The friends I have made are my favorite part of my UT experience. I have made friends in all my in-person classes. I plan to keep these friendships alive beyond graduation.”
After graduation, Trzcinski said he will take a gap year to network internships and take the LSAT.
“I want to try to get an internship with either the DEA or the ATF,” Trzcinski said. “After the gap year, I will then go to law school and get my JD. I would like to be a lawyer for either the FBI or a JAG officer in the military.”
