Transformation Through Determination

At 35, Tyson Barton wears many hats: husband, father of three boys, full-time employee, youth mentor, coach, and community volunteer.  Now he can add another title to the list: college student. Barton, who lives in Bucyrus with his wife of 12 years and their children, returned to school at North Central State College after years of putting the idea on hold.

“I’d always talked about going back to school,” Barton said. “But it was always just talk.  I never actually sat down and figured out how to do it.” Before returning to college, Barton spent years working in manufacturing, including at General Electric, before the plant closed.  Like many working adults, he found himself repeatedly missing out on job opportunities and promotions because he lacked the necessary credentials.

“As a husband and a father of three, I knew something had to change,” he said. But Burton wanted to prove something to himself first.

Balancing family life, work, coaching, mentoring students at Bucyrus elementary, serving on a board at the YMCA, and caring for a lively household that includes four dogs, three cats, and eight chickens already keeps him busy. Before enrolling in college, Burton set a personal challenge: losing 100 pounds.

“If I could dedicate the time, discipline, and energy to losing that much weight, I thought it would prove to myself that I could handle school along with everything else life throws at me,” he said. He succeeded, losing more than 100 pounds and gaining the confidence to take the next step.

When Barton finally decided to return to school, the process happened faster than he expected. After sending a quick text expressing interest in enrolling, he was invited to stop by the Crawford Success Center. “I walked into the office and signed up that day,” Barton said. “I didn’t even call my wife first.  I called her after and told her, ‘I start school in August.”

That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter. Today, Barton works full-time at Shoulder Works in Bucyrus while attending classes through North Central State College.  Despite his packed schedule, he has thrived academically.

He is currently on track to graduate in May with his associate degree in accounting as well as a 4.0 GPA. Barton credits much of his success to the support he received through the Crawford Success Center, which helps guide students through enrollment, resources, and academic support. “The Success Center showed me that I can be a positive role model, not just for my kids, but for the young people I coach and mentor,” Barton said.

Barton says his journey has reinforced an important lesson: meaningful change is possible with the right support and opportunities. “I’m proud of how far I’ve come,” he said.  “Places like the Crawford Success Center make a real difference for people who are trying to improve their lives and build a better future for their families.”

For Barton, returning to college wasn’t just about advancing his career; it was about setting an example.  And now he’s doing exactly that.