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| Testimonials Ngu Duong is a distinguished looking gentlemen
with pleasant features and a shock of silver hair. He is a man very
committed to education, not just for himself, but for his family members
as well. He is quick with a smile and is very proud of his journey and
of his family. As a young man, Ngu was an officer for the South Vietnamese army from 1957-1966. He started out as a Second Lieutenant, and ended his career as a Major. He left the army in 1966 which was actually a good thing; when the communists took over, he wasn't punished as severely as those army personnel who stayed until the end. During his tenure, he had an opportunity to work closely with USA army personnel. After leaving the army, Ngu held a variety of professional jobs. He worked for Pfizer as a sales representative and for US Aid, an agency dedicated to helping rebuild Vietnam. He also owned a large chicken farm and hatchery before the communists seized his property and put it into collective farming. Then he decided he wanted his family to get a fresh start in the United States. Ngu came to the United States from Vietnam on July 13, 1995. He and his wife, Anh Nguyen, immediately enrolled in English as a Second Language at Central Minnesota ABE and faithfully attended Nancy Eder's classes for a number of years. Not only did they improve their English but Ngu also earned his GED in June 1996 at the age 61. To top it off, both Ngu and Anh studied for their Citizenship Test at Central Minnesota ABE and became citizens in 2000. Ngu's story is remarkable enough by itself. But what
is truly exceptional about Ngu and his family is the commitment, success,
and achievement he and his family have achieved in the United States.
During the 1980's, Ngu began utilizing his resources to send family members to the United States where they wouldn't be subject to the communist political system. As his children arrived, they began a remarkable journey of educational achievement and success in a wide variety of fields. Ngu and Anh and their children received generous support and help from Minnesota State Senator Steve Dille (R-Dassel, MN) who has been Ngu's close friend since 1968. All of Ngu's children started their educational journeys by attending ESL classes at Central Minnesota ABE. Some attended for a few months, while others stayed a few years. All were excellent students committed to regular attendance, active learning during class, and doing additional practice and homework during evenings and free time. Central Minnesota ABE was truly a constant in the lives of Ngu and his family members. Ngu's eldest son, Lam Q. Duong, was the first to arrive, in 1980. He learned English, got married, and had two daughters. He lives in Minneapolis with his family and is the owner of the Concord Meat Processing Plant in Minneapolis. Daughter Linh Duong Dye came to St. Cloud in 1983. She learned English, then attended St. Cloud State University where she received bachelor's degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics. She later earned her MBA from Fontbonne College in St. Louis, Missouri, and is currently enrolled in a doctorate program at Webster University, also in St. Louis, where she lives with her husband and daughter. Son Lan Q. Duong also came to St. Cloud in 1983. He learned English, then enrolled at St. Cloud State University where he earned his degree in Chemistry. He is currently employed in Minneapolis as a chemist, and lives in St. Michael with his wife and two children. Daughter Nga N. Duong came to St. Cloud a year later, in 1984. She learned English, then enrolled at St. Cloud State University where she earned an Accounting degree. She is currently a Service Manager at Wells-Fargo Bank in Sartell. She and her three sons live in Sartell. This fall, Ngu's youngest son, Lu Duong, arrived in St. Cloud. Dad immediately brought him to Central Minnesota ABE, where he enrolled in ESL. Lu's future plans are to learn English and then enroll at the university. Based on the experience of his brothers, sisters, and parents before him, he will no doubt achieve his goals. The story of Ngu and his family is one of commitment
and dedication to the pursuit of education. He recognized early in his
life the value of an education, and he passed those beliefs on to his
family. His children learned English at Central Minnesota ABE and then
went on to greater academic and financial achievement. Ngu and his family
are yet another example of adult basic education's ability to give adults
and families a basic education that helps them become successful in
other areas of their lives.
© ISD 742 · jana.hutton@isd742.org
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