Commencement Spotlight: Lanaé Hobbs-Gazaway

Lanaé Hobbs-Gazaway
Patton College of Education
Retail Merchandising and Fashion Production
Certificate in Entrepreneurship

What are your next steps or plans for the future?
My next steps are to begin a store internship at Evereve in my hometown. After that, I plan to work my way up the management ladder. Eventually, I will continue my education by attending grad school for fashion design. I plan to be a fashion designer in the future.

What memory stands out from your time at OHIO?
The memory that stands out to me the most is my study abroad trip in Italy. During my senior spring break, I got to study fashion and retail in Florence, Italy. I also got to see amazing sights like the Sistine Chapel and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This was my first time being out of the country, and it is truly a pleasure that OHIO granted me this core memory.

Why did you choose OHIO?
I chose OHIO because I felt a calling to attend here when looking around at schools. Once I visited, I couldn’t even think about any other schools. It felt like my second home.

Who were your favorite professors and how did they make an impact on your life?
My favorite professors were Lisa Williams and Donald Brown. Lisa is very supportive and knowledgeable of the fashion industry. She is a great resource to have. Donald has a unique, yet very engaging way of teaching. He is a great storyteller and made learning human resources fun. I will take what I learned from both professors into my professional life.

What was the hardest hill you had to climb (not counting Jeff Hill) at OHIO? And how did you overcome challenges or obstacles in your path?
The hardest hill I had to climb was learning how to manage my finances. It was not something I had to worry about before I got here, but suddenly, I had the responsibility of paying for tuition, books, supplies, food, and entertainment. I had to let go of a lot of things, but in the end, it was all worth it for my education.

What are your favorite OHIO memories?
My favorite OHIO memories are the big gatherings of OHIO students like the involvement fair or the class picture or basketball games. These events made me feel like I was in a community.

What’s the one thing you would tell a new OHIO student not to miss?
Do not miss out on getting involved with your community. It helps you feel like you belong, and it looks great on your resume. Start as soon as possible.