Future architect Tung Nguyen recently shared how his Lone Star College-CyFair experience has provided him “the key to open the door to his future” when he attended the 21st annual Lone Star College Foundation’s Chancellor’s Breakfast.
Nguyen, along with five other Lone Star College System student essay winners, inspired guests with their stories of “How My Community College Experience Changed My Life.” For a young man from Vietnam and only in the United States for two years, LSC has been a place to earn an associate degree, but also to adopt a new culture and improve his English.
Speech Professor Stacy Gresell said Nguyen was worried people wouldn’t understand his accent in her class, but he was a creative and engaging speaker who excelled at every speech and even completed an honors contract.
“He was the kind of student who always went above and beyond and his classroom peers respected and admired him, often nominating him for our class speaking awards,” said Gresell. “He was positive and supportive to others - a real positive influence in our class.”
His history professor Esther Robinson said when she first met him, Nguyen was a shy young man, but he matured into a confident scholar, creative artist and servant leader.
“He is well recognized by faculty and students alike for his broad smile and dedication to excellence in scholarly pursuits and artistic endeavors,” Robinson said. “Tung exemplifies the vision of community college education - to provide opportunity for student success and innovation.”
Nguyen, who now thinks and speaks in English as much as in his native language, said “The classes have been challenging yet rewarding and I'm now starting to adapt to the language and culture.”
Enrolled in smaller classes with professional and passionate faculty, Nguyen said he can learn directly from his professors and have more interactions with fellow classmates. In addition to academic classes, he took design, drawing and piano, as well as participated in Phi Theta Kappa, where he’s developed leadership skills, improved team work skills and taken part in volunteer activities.
“All of these factors have contributed significantly to my success,” said Nguyen, who plans to transfer to Texas A&M University. “With what I have learned here at Lone Star College-CyFair, I am confident that I can overcome any obstacle.”
Receiving a $1,000 scholarship from the LSC Foundation and representing each of the six LSCS colleges were Nguyen from LSC-CyFair, James Oakes from LSC-Kingwood, Sara Gauteson from LSC-Montgomery, Julian Ciarella from LSC-North Harris, Miguel Garcia from LSC-Tomball and Kara Vigants from LSC-University Park.
For information on other foundation events, go to LoneStarCollegeFoundation.org. For information on LSC-CyFair, go to LoneStar.edu/Cyfair.
