Page 29 - Laker Connection Fall 2013

student profile
ANOUSOUCK “ANDY” SAYAVONG
A HISTORY MAJOR WHO’S PART OF HISTORY
Anousouck “Andy” Sayavong was the recipient of the College of Arts & Sciences 2012/13 Award for Ex- cellence in History, an award given each year to a student by vote of the history faculty for superior achievement.
Unlike most Clayton State academic award winners, this history/philosophy double major has also been a part of history, specifically, the large- scale wave of immigration to the United States from southeast Asia in the decades following the disas- trous conclusion of the Vietnam War.
Sayavong came to the United States with his family in 1996, at the age of seven, not knowing a word of English. Originally natives of Laos, the Sayavong family had been forced to live as refugees in Thailand after leaving their native land. After fi- nally making it to the U.S., they eventually settled in Morrow. A graduate of Forest Park High School, maybe with somewhat greater dreams than the aver- age high school graduate, Andy became a U.S. citi- zen this past summer, and plans to graduate from Clayton State in the spring of 2014.
“The reason I decided to dual major in both his- tory and philosophy was because I thought it would be extremely helpful for me to get into law school,” he says. “The two majors have done a wonderful job in assisting me to be a better writer, a more logical thinker, as well as a good reader. Although I’ve learned quite a bit, I believe I have much to work on.
“I would like to thank Dr. (David) Gilbert and Dr. (R.B.) Rosenburg for being such wonderful in- structors throughout my time here at Clayton State. They’ve been excellent teachers, and I could definitely say that everything that I’ve learned from them will carry with me beyond my studies at Clayton State.”
Initially a business major at Clayton State, Sayavong switched to history at the urging of Gilbert, a career decision that clearly has been suc-
cessful, in part as shown by his Excellence in History award, and in part by his being voted president of Phi Alpha Theta, the history honor society, for his senior year.
“He is an excellent student who is working on a double major in history and philosophy,” notes Gilbert, who has taught Sayavong in several of his
history classes over the years.
“Both are challenging subjects, but I think that
Anousouck is motivated by a desire to understand the contemporary world at a deep level. The study of the past, including the progress of human thought, is the key to that understanding, so he is willing to make the effort to succeed in both fields.”
Although Andy’s journey to Clayton State is an unusual as well as historic one, his ‘story’ is typ- ical of many first-generation Clayton State students, whether they come from Laos or Locust Grove... students who succeed thanks to the support of their professors and their families.
“Personally speaking, I think the greatest im- pact that helped me succeed in my studies is support and encouragement from my family,” he says. “I would encourage other students to stay focused and strive for what they wish to accomplish. Anything is possible as long as they want it enough and work hard for it.” __ John Shiffert
I would encourage other students to stay focused and strive for what they wish to accomplish. Anything is possible as long as they want it enough and work hard for it.
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