For Immediate Release
December 19, 2007

Filipino Immigrant Turns Work Ethic Into Acceptance at Cornell

Froilan Malit used the work ethic instilled in him by his grandparents to succeed at Cañada and Skyline Colleges and gain acceptance to Cornell University where he will study political science.

As a six-year-old child, Foilan Malit would wake up at midnight to begin a seven-hour shift picking flowers in the Pampanga Province of the Philippines. Malit has applied that work ethic instilled in him by his grandparents into a successful college career that includes acceptance to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where he’ll begin classes Jan. 21.

“I am the first person in my family to attend college,” said the 19-year-old Malit, who immigrated to the United States two years ago following his graduation from high school in the Philippines. Malit made the decision to leave the Philippines and move to East Menlo Park with his mother in order to pursue a college education. “I don’t know anybody else from the Gaddang Tribe who has attended college in the United States.”

Malit, who will transfer approximately 40 credits from Cañada and Skyline college to Cornell, said it was clear, even as a youngster, that he was expected to work. “In the agricultural provinces of the Philippines, if you don’t work, you don’t eat,” he said. “My childhood experience played an important role in my success at Cañada.”

Shortly after entering Cañada College two years ago, Malit approached Chuck Carlson, professor of history, and asked him for some advice on classes and subjects he was curious about. “He was an outstanding student in my African American History class and dove into the material with a great deal of interest and a deep desire to learn every aspect of American culture. As a professor, he is the kind of student you dream about getting – always going above and beyond what’s required of him.”

Elizabeth Terzakis, a reading professor, saw the same qualities in Malit. “Froilan’s enthusiasm and love of learning were apparent from the moment he entered my Reading class, as was his willingness to share his insights and time with others,” she said. “He added a level of energy and seriousness to the classes he took with me that helped everyone involved to get the most out of their time.”

Malit will take that same enthusiasm to Cornell where he’s going to study political science, economics and philosophy with an eye towards law school. “I want to go to Harvard, Yale or Oxford for law. I would like to earn my law degree in order to help contribute to the future economic development of my country.”

While Malit said he’s excited to make the move, he said he does have some reservations about the cost of attending Cornell (approximately $50,000 a year for room and board). “My parents can’t help me financially. I’m looking at scholarships and prepared to take out student loans.”
There is one other issue about moving to Ithaca, New York in January. “I’ve never seen snow,” he said. “I’ve never lived in a cold climate so I’ll need to adjust.”

That hasn’t been a problem so far in his life.

For more information, contact Robert Hood, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, at hoodr@smccd.edu or 306-3340