Purdue President Chiang to 93 new U.S. citizens: ‘I know what it means’
Annual naturalization ceremony tied to West Lafayette’s Global Fest offers a welcome from Purdue’s president. Also: LBC turns 30. Purdue’s new signature ice cream. School threats a hoax. And more.
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PURDUE PRESIDENT CHIANG TO 93 NEW U.S. CITIZENS: ‘I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS’
Purdue President Mung Chiang, who became a naturalized citizen more than 20 years ago, helped welcome 93 new U.S. citizens Friday during an annual ceremony timed to coincide with West Lafayette’s Global Fest.
Chiang, who was born in China, he understood the emotions of the day and the desires to get there for those from 30 countries – from Argentina to Yemen – who were at the White Horse Christian Center with family and friends for a makeshift session of U.S. District Court.
“I know what it means for you to choose to wait in lines for years in your birthplace, for you to choose to go through the process, patiently every step of the way, to today,” Chiang said. “For you have to choose to take the exam and pass it. And for you to choose, just now, to swear allegiance to the United States …
“Here in America, and perhaps only still today here in America, you can come from anywhere around the world and one day you can become an American,” Chiang said. “My fellow Americans, congratulations.”
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