There’s a special date that Matthew Falcone will likely remember for the rest of his life: July 24, 2012. That’s his sober date. The day he sought treatment for an addiction to opioids. At that time, he said he was unemployable and the world looked pretty hopeless.

“The turning point for me came when I sincerely asked for help,” he said.

Then there’s a second date that Falcone will also likely remember: Sept. 3, 2015. That’s the day he started his first day of school in over 14 years at Montgomery County Community College’s West Campus in Pottstown. 

“I sat in the front of that English 101 class fighting back tears of joy and gratitude,” he said. “Not because of any material possessions but because my life had taken on new meaning.”

Since then he has continued to grow and thrive. Today he is being honored for academic excellence.

Falcone, 36, a physical sciences major, from Green Lane, Pa., was recently named as one of four MCCC students selected for the 2019-2020 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, which is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, and the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges.

The recognition honors an exceptional group of community college students who have achieved academic excellence and demonstrated a commitment to their colleges and communities. To qualify, students must have completed at least 36 credits and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. 

The four students excel academically, earning their places on the dean’s list and as members of PTK, and they are actively involved on campus and in their communities.

Pennsylvania’s community colleges collaborate with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities to provide scholarships to All-PA Transfer Team members at PASSHE institutions, providing two years of tuition at any PASSHE school.

Additionally, Falcone was one of only 50 students nationwide to be named a 2020 Coca-Cola Team Silver Scholar. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program and selects students based on their high academic achievement, leadership and engagement in college and community service. As a Silver Scholar, Falcone will receive a $1,250 scholarship and a commemorative medallion.

“It certainly wasn’t expected,” he said on receiving both awards. “I spoke to the Dr. James Bretz, Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, about what I should apply for. He said ‘try for the all-state award. It’s a full scholarship for two years.’ Apparently, entering into one scholarship enters into all of them. I was completely shocked by the second award through Coca-Cola. I was shocked and ecstatic.”

Life in recovery has certainly tested Falcone. It’s given him increasing levels of responsibility overtime. Yet he has continued to rise to the occasion. Within his first six months of sobriety, he was asked to be the live-in house manager of a local recovery house, home to 12 newly sober male residents.

“I’d run drug tests, take them to meetings, court dates -- whatever they had going on,” said Falcone. “I also developed money management and budgeting classes, because a lot of these guys were coming off the street and had never really learned how to budget responsibly. We did a lot of community service through the recovery house, as part of our commitment to changing our lives. And that first year was huge for me. It built the foundation. I had to be accountable. I couldn’t ask the guys to follow the rules and not follow them myself.”

Soon Falcone was hired as a plant worker, through a temp agency, at Pecora Corporation, a building materials manufacturer. Showing promise, he was then promoted as a technical service representative by his new boss, Roy Cannon. It was Cannon who suggested Falcone go back to school.

“I was managing the recovery house, working full time, and then I added school into the mix,” Falcone said. “It set a good example for the other guys in the house. They would complain about being tired from work. I’d say I’m going to school after working a full day.”

Cannon also encouraged Falcone to apply for his current position at the company, where he manages two departments.

Meanwhile, after five years, Falcone is scheduled to receive his associate’s degree in Physical Sciences. After graduation, he’ll pursue a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology Management. It’s an achievement he, at one point, doubted would actually happen.

“It was very challenging. There were semesters where I was taking calculus and chemistry and the course load was insane while working full time. I was very stressed out,” he said. “But my dad said to me ‘four years from now, you’ll either be four years older with a degree or without one.’ So I tried to focus on that semester. Now that it’s here it seems like it went by really quickly.”

Before he can put on a cap and gown though, Falcone has to navigate the second half of the semester completely online, thanks to the COVID-19 virus outbreak. He said he’s happy his friends and family are safe and he’s still able to work. However, he admitted it’s been challenging finishing difficult courses like organic chemistry from home.

“It’s hard,” he said. “We’re mostly on our own. It’s tough.”

That said, he praised the work of his professors who have tried their best to help in any way they can and said he’ll get through it.

“You just have to put in the time,” he said. “I can pass any course as long as I’m willing to spend the time at home studying.”

Over the last eight years Falcone’s certainly put in the time to turn his life around and has come away with valuable lessons, which he says he’ll remember forever.

“The three principles of accountability, spirituality and service to others have allowed a hopeless, materialistic, self-centered man to develop a love and gratitude for life that gives me true happiness,” he said. “So I continue to help others, try and be a good example and push myself and take on new and exciting challenges.”

He credits any success in life to every person who has continued to support him including mentors, professors, friends and family. Aside from completing his associate’s degree this year and beginning a bachelor’s degree program in the fall, 2020 will also be special for personal reasons, as he’s set to tie the knot with his “dream-come-true girl,” Monica, later this year. That will certainly be a new, special date to remember.