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Show 10 Signpost Tuesday, May 20, 1986 Vietnamese student makes the most of his Weber State years by Chris J. Miller Managing Editor Luong N. Nguyen is well on his way to doing what a whole lot of us students wish we could do. If everything goes well in the next few weeks, Nguyen will join a small number of students who will graduate from Weber State College with 4.0 grade point average. But the easy-going student from Vietnam doesn't worry so much about the perfect GPA. "It's not a big thing. I'm just trying to do my best," said Nguyen. For at least three years, "doing his best" has meant straight A's for Nguyen, who will graduate this spring with a B.S. in mathematics and a minor in physics. He started at Weber in the spring of 1983 and, by continuing through the summers, has been able to finish his studies in three years. Nguyen, however, hopes people don't think of him as someone who spends all his time in the study hall. "I'm not that kind of student at all. I enjoy life a lot, too," he added. For Nguyen, enjoying life means karate (he is currently testing for his brown belt,) tennis, table tennis, bowling, playing the mandolin and watching any sport on TV. Right now, the most important thing to him is seeing the Los Angelas Lakers win the NBA title again. Although he has always enjoyed his studies,, life has not always been enjoyable for Nguyen. He grew up in Nha Trang, a small town in central Vietnam. His Li "TV fc k uAr k art m V me .a-""'! fit 1 w ;.. . - v y yy 1 - Signpost photoJell bybec Luong N. Nguyen works on the book slicer at his job in the Stewart Library bindary. LET'S TAU( III Y... Right now Weber State students just like you are successfully earning $60O-plus each week during their summer vacations. How? By marketing a utility-sponsored weatherization program in high demand in Northern California. For more information, come to a meeting held in the Studeni Union Building, Room 336, Tuesday, May 20 at 1 p.m., or Wednesday, May 21 at 7 p.m., in Room 352. father was a major in the South Vietnamese army. In 1975, when Vietnam came under communist control, his father was imprisoned. His family suffered for their father also. Despite their scholarly abilities, neither Luong nor his brother and three sisters were permitted to go to college. That left Nguyen with two choices: either join the Vietnamese army or leave for America. It wasn't a hard choice. "It didn't make sense to fight for the government that imprisoned my father," said Nguyen. In August of 1982, Nguyen and 61 other people boarded a boat and made the trip to Malaysia. After a difficult eight months in refugee camps in Malaysia and the Philippines, Nguyen's brother was able to sponsor him and he came to Utah. The experiences on the boat and in the refugee camps are painful memories but have done nothing to dampen the enthusiasm in which Nguyen pursues life, whether it be his studies or a tennis match. At first, it was hard to understand, and hard to take notes," said Nguyen. It still is, at least for the first few weeks of each quarter. But I felt comfortable in mathematics," he added. Nguyen claims he doesn't have any big secret to his good grades, he just works hard at concentrating on the instructor. "The problem with most students is that they don't listen well in class, i concentrate on the very important parts of each class. Usualy after class, I can understand what is going on," he said. One way Nguyen pushes himself is to solve the toughest problems to each concept that he can find. "When you encounter the tough ones and do them, you feel good." Nguyen says his toughest class has been advanced calculus, although all the phsics courses were challenging. He credits Dr. Richard Miller with helping him. "I enjoy his classes. He's awesome," said Nguyen. After graduation, Nguyen has two major goals. One, to get a job. Although he has been accpeted to the University of Utah graduate program, Nguyen would like to go to work in industry. His second goal is to apply for U.S. citizenship. He will be able to apply in 1987. "I feel good about what I've done," said Nguyen. I was able to get a scholarship this year. I have been nominated as one of the scholar-of-the-year candidates for Crystal Crest.". Applications being accepted Editor-in-Chief For the Signpost. Resumes Due May 16,1986 This is an excellent opportunity to get the needed "On-the-Job Experience" to land you the job. Contact Larry Stahle at 626-7120 or come by U.B. 267 down the hall from the Bowling alley ' . . I i Luong N. Nguyen SugnpuU pholoJefT Bybee PRE-Memorial Day Special I'll honor any coupon for Lube oil & filter, Trans, svc. Brake Repairs or Tune ups 4535 South 300 West Washington Terrace (801)627-1966 TOM ARC Personal Car Car and Repair MB SCHOOL'S OUT 3rd 5x5 Month Free On 5 X 10 Kinko's can help you prepare for your future. We have a wide range of papers and envelopes to give your resume the professional look it deserves. Esisnto'S' 4791191 |