http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/183951/
Published November 18 2010
A learning experience
Nepal native becomes first woman in her village to receive college education as she excels at UMC
For Nepal native Lhakpa Gurung, education is a gift to pass on to others. Gurung, who grew up in the mountain village of Mustang, will graduate from the University of Minnesota-Crookston in May with a degree in early childhood education. She is the first in her family of eight to earn a college degree and, as far as she knows, the first woman from her village to receive a college education.
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UMC's Lhakpa Gurung, Nepal, has received a Scholarly Excellence in Equity and Diversity and a Tapestry award from the main campus U of M. Herald photo by Eric Hylden.
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CROOKSTON — For Nepal native Lhakpa Gurung, education is a gift to pass on to others.
Gurung, who grew up in the mountain village of Mustang, will graduate from the University of Minnesota-Crookston in May with a degree in early childhood education. She is the first in her family of eight to earn a college degree and, as far as she knows, the first woman from her village to receive a college education.
Gurung wants to use that education to teach women and children in her village and to improve the educational system there.
“Teaching is my passion,” she said. She has been interested in teaching since she was a child, Gurung said.
This summer, Gurung went home to her village and taught young people about the importance of agriculture, the basics of capitalism and how entrepreneurs add value to the marketplace.
“I always think, ‘Education is important in life.’” Gurung said. “If you have an education, nobody can steal it from you.” She has seen the effect that a lack of education has had on some of her family members, she said.
Gurung appreciates that her father, who is a farmer growing potatoes, wheat, barley and mustard, and her mother, a homemaker, believe in the importance of education, even though they aren’t educated themselves.
Her parents also are pleased with the academic accomplishments and awards she has earned during her three and a half years at UMC.
In October, Gurung received the University of Minnesota Women of Color 2010 Tapestry Award which is given to students who help create a thriving campus community where diversity is welcomed and supported. Gurung student-teaches in Crookston schools and at the child development center on campus, belongs to several campus organizations and is a residential hall manager.
She also talks with other students and members of the Crookston community about the importance of having women of color in positions in which they can be a role model, a UMC news release said.
Besides the Tapestry Award, Gurung also recently was named a Scholarly Excellence in Equity and Diversity award winner by the University of Minnesota. Award recipients are diverse students who represent impressive achievement and leadership in academic activism, and/or community outreach and activism, UMC said.
The UMC faculty and her advisers have given Gurung a lot of one-on-one academic support and helped her see the many opportunities available to her, she said. Her younger brother and a cousin have followed in her footsteps and also are attending UMC; her younger sister also plans to attend after she graduates from high school.
“It’s very fortunate for us to get an education in America,” Gurung said.
Reach Bailey at (701) 787-6753; (800) 477-6572, ext. 753; or send e-mail to
abailey@gfherald.com.
