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Sunday, May 13, 2007

Siv encourages graduates to adapt


By Matt Clower, The Messenger

A former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations gave a lesson in adaptation to a group of Troy University graduates during the first of two commencement ceremonies on Friday.

Sichan Siv, a native of Cambodia, was nominated by President George W. Bush in October 2001 and was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 28th ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council. From 2001 until recently, he represented the United States at the U.N. General Assembly and the U.N. Security Council.

From 1989 to 1993, Siv served as deputy assistant to the president for public liaison and deputy assistant secretary of state for South Asia affairs in the George H.W. Bush administration.

“The key to success is your ability to adapt,” Siv said to graduates during his keynote address. Siv learned about the need for adaptation as he fled Khmer Rouge rule of Cambodia in 1976, eventually starting a new life in America.

Siv said he escaped a forced labor camp by jumping off the back of a truck and fleeing to Thailand. In time, he made his way to Wallingford, Conn., where he was faced with trying to find his way in a country he knew little about.

Initially, Siv took odd jobs to get by - picking apples, working at an ice cream shop and flipping burgers, despite the fact he'd never seen a hamburger before.

“I remember once I stood there holding the lettuce because someone told me ‘hold the lettuce,'” Siv said.

In time, Siv made his way to New York City, where he continued working odd jobs until he earned a scholarship to Columbia University.

“I adapted myself to America,” Siv said.

Troy University Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. praised Siv's accomplishments in the face of adversity.

“He did not always enjoy the freedoms that come from being called an American ... but he has lived the American dream,” Hawkins said.

More than 500 students from 20 U.S. states and 12 nations received diplomas on Friday, which marked the first time the university has held separate commencement ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate students.

Hawkins said the dual commencements are a sign of the university's growth.

“We simply have too many graduates to place in this building at the same time,” Hawkins said.

The ceremony for students receiving undergraduate degrees started at 10:30 a.m., and the ceremony for graduate students began at 2 p.m. Both ceremonies were held in Sartain Hall.

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