Matt Pomrenke's Journey to Recovery and Success: The Influence of Jesse Prather
Academic motivator's inspiring remarks significantly influenced everyone involved
Matt Pomrenke's life took an unexpected turn when he enrolled at Grand Canyon University (GCU) to pursue a degree in addiction counseling. His journey, marked by addiction and recovery, was significantly influenced by Jesse Prather, a full-time faculty member at the university.
Pomrenke's struggles with addiction started as a teenager, leading him to opiates after a car accident. By his 30s, he was using 4 grams of fentanyl a day and had lost 50 pounds. However, a pivotal moment came when Pomrenke was six months clean and working in a group session during his internship. He listened to Prather's university success introductory course, which ignited a spark within him.
Prather's teachings resonated with Pomrenke, who began practicing gratitude by sharing and asking others to share three things they are grateful for when they eat a meal. This practice, reminiscent of Prather's own practice of expressing gratitude during meals with his close friend and first sponsor, helped Pomrenke stay focused on the positive aspects of his life.
Pomrenke enrolled at GCU in 2019 and graduated with a bachelor's degree and a 3.92 grade point average in August 2022. He wrote a heartfelt email to Prather before last April's commencement, expressing his gratitude for the encouragement he received in Prather's first class. Pomrenke also mentioned that he had looked back at the email several times when he doubted himself.
One of the most impactful moments for Pomrenke came when he worked with an addict who was 30 days clean during his internship. He told the addict that it's okay to want to use drugs or alcohol, but it's not okay to actually use them. This experience reinforced Pomrenke's commitment to helping others overcome addiction, just as Prather had helped him.
Jesse Prather's influence extended beyond academics, instilling in Pomrenke the importance of resilience and the belief that everyone has the capacity to overcome their obstacles. Prather often tells his students that they may face different challenges, but they can all find a way to overcome them.
Today, Matt Pomrenke is continuing his education, pursuing a master's degree in addiction counseling at Grand Canyon University. His story serves as a powerful example of the transformative power of mentorship, resilience, and the pursuit of personal and academic growth.
- Matt Pomrenke started his journey of recovery at Grand Canyon University (GCU), where he pursued a degree in addiction counseling.
- His experience was greatly influenced by Jesse Prather, a faculty member at GCU, who taught him the importance of expressing gratitude as a tool for personal growth.
- Pomrenke graduated from GCU in 2022 with a bachelor's degree and a high GPA, citing Prather's encouragement as a significant factor in his success.
- He is now pursuing a master's degree in addiction counseling at GCU, inspired by his own journey and the career development opportunities in the field.
- The education and self-development experiences at GCU, under Jesse Prather's guidance, have not only helped Pomrenke recover from addiction but also equipped him with the skills to assist others on a similar path.
