GCCC Alumni Spotlight: Berin Lacevic
[Garden City, KS] September 5, 2023 -- The population of Salina, KS, grew when Roy and Suzanne Wilbur adopted a young Berin Lacevic from Sarajevo, Bosnia in 1993. The Wilbur family saw him on an ABC News clip with Peter Jennings and enlisted the help of Senator Bob Doll to bring Berin to the US after his parents were lost in the conflict.
Fast forward to August 2000, Berin became a member of the Broncbuster football team. He reminisced, "I was part of the team that won the Jayhawk Conference. We played #1 Butler County Community College vs. #2 Garden City Community College, which many consider the best Junior College Football game of all time. It took four overtimes to beat our rival." Berin became a citizen in 2001, and Coach Larson and the entire team celebrated him. He shared, "It was a very special moment for a kid that did not speak any English or know anyone in the country when he first came over here."
He credits Coach Bob Larson for much of his success. "Coach Larson and his staff were the only ones that believed in me enough to take a chance and let me be part of the GCCC team. GCCC has a special place in my heart because of them," He continued, "Coach Larson, and the football staff, gave me the opportunity to realize my dreams of playing college football in the Big 10 conference." Berin also became an NJCAA All-American Kicker for the Broncbusters.
Because of his success with the Broncbusters, Berin was offered a full-ride football scholarship to transfer to Purdue University, where he was the starting field goal kicker. He graduated from Purdue in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in Organization Leadership and Supervision.
Currently, Berin is a Relationship Manager at Bankers Bank of Kansas in Wichita, KS. Bankers Bank of Kansas serves 188 banks across the state of Kansas. He oversees the merchant services program, handling over $25 million in credit card swipe transactions. Berin also helps local community banks with credit card processing services by serving their small business customers with different types of payment solutions.
Berin attributes much of his success to his time at GCCC, sharing, "Without GCCC, I would not be as successful in life. I owe a lot to the staff, coaches, and people in the community. They gave me a chance to get my entire education paid for, and I learned many valuable lessons in life."
When asked what advice he'd give current or prospective GCCC students, Berin said, "Work hard and set a list of goals you want to accomplish. Whether in sports or business, you always want to outwork the competition. Use your resources at GCCC to accomplish your dreams. GCCC has some of the best staff and resources available. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Take the initiative."
Garden City Community College is proud to have played a role in Berin's success. Make a difference for future Busters by starting your own Endowed Scholarship through the GCCC President's Scholarship Initiative!
From HERE, you can go ANYWHERE.
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Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.