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In October 1971, Man Nguyen arrived in Carbondale from Vietnam with three high school friends, the support of his family, and a dream of one day returning to his homeland. Encouraged by the older brother of one of his friends who was already attending Southern Illinois University, Nguyen applied and was accepted\u2014a decision that would mark the beginning of a life-changing chapter.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel blessed by fate to have ended up in Carbondale,\u201d Nguyen said. \u201cI had never heard of Southern Illinois University or seen what Carbondale looked like back in Vietnam.\u201d<\/p>\n
Upon arrival, Nguyen and his friend Long Nguyen (no relation) were welcomed into the home of Mr. Earl Caspers, a lecturer in SIU\u2019s School of Education who was pursuing a doctoral degree. \u201cMr. Caspers acted like a father figure,\u201d Nguyen recalled. \u201cHe made us breakfast and dinner, took us to and from campus\u2014what a wonderful human being. I still think of him as a saint. I\u2019ve often asked myself, would I have done the same?\u201d<\/p>\n
All Vietnamese students at the time were required to complete the Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) program before beginning SIU coursework. Eventually, Nguyen and Long moved into their own apartment but remained close with Caspers. \u201cAfter he finished his Ph.D. in 1973, he moved to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville but returned for our graduation in 1975. What a touching moment. He was a true friend to all the Vietnamese students.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nguyen\u2019s academic path was further supported by Jared Dorn, SIU\u2019s international student advisor at the time, who awarded him a tuition waiver. This enabled Nguyen to remain at the university and complete his undergraduate studies. To cover room and board, he worked part-time as a janitor at the Student Center, earning $1.60 per hour. Nguyen and other Vietnamese students lived off campus at 319 1\/2 E. College, paying $96 per quarter in rent during the university\u2019s quarter system years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe enjoyed college life, studied hard, and had fun too,\u201d he said. \u201cWe hung out at Jim\u2019s Pizza, Dairy Queen, and the Varsity Theater downtown.\u201d<\/p>\n
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After graduating in 1975 with a degree in mathematics, Nguyen embarked on a career in information technology. He first joined Lockheed Electronics in Houston, a NASA contractor supporting the space shuttle program. He later worked for Marathon Oil as an IT consultant, where he had an unexpected encounter with SIU alumna and retired NASA astronaut Joan Higginbotham. She autographed a photo of herself featured on the cover of the March 2007 SIU Alumni Magazine, which he still keeps.<\/p>\n
Nguyen eventually retired after a distinguished career with Lockheed, Marathon Oil, and SAIC, a global technology company. His work allowed him to travel internationally to countries such as Ireland, Tunisia, Egypt, India, and Indonesia. Throughout his life, Nguyen has returned to SIU Carbondale many times to reflect, reconnect, and enjoy the campus\u2014especially in the fall.<\/p>\n
This year, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of his graduation, Nguyen established the Man and Lien Nguyen Mathematics & Computer Science Scholarship Fund with a $25,000 gift. The fund will provide two annual scholarships: one for a student majoring in mathematics or computer science, and another for a student majoring in mechanical engineering. The latter is in memory of his friend Long Nguyen, who graduated alongside him in 1975 with a degree in mechanical engineering.<\/p>\n
\u201cRetention is so important,\u201d Nguyen said. \u201cI want students to finish their SIU degrees. I\u2019m thankful for that tuition waiver that kept me at SIU, and I want my scholarship to do the same for someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nguyen returned to SIU this May to celebrate his 50th reunion\u2014an emotional experience that also gave him the opportunity to reconnect with Mr. Dorn, who still resides in Carbondale.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe spent countless hours sharing SIU stories, then and now,\u201d Nguyen said. \u201cI feel so thankful\u2014grateful\u2014for Mr. Caspers\u2019 generosity and Mr. Dorn\u2019s kindness more than half a century ago that allowed me to stay and earn an SIU degree.\u201d<\/p>\n
Would he relive his college days at SIU if given the chance?<\/p>\n
\u201cAbsolutely,\u201d Nguyen said. \u201cI\u2019m proud of my alma mater, proud to be a Saluki, and most importantly, proud to be an American.\u201d<\/p>\n In October 1971, Man Nguyen arrived in Carbondale from Vietnam with three high school friends, the support of his family, and a dream of one day returning to his homeland. Encouraged by the older brother of one of his friends who was already attending Southern Illinois University, Nguyen applied and was accepted\u2014a decision that would … Continue reading A Journey of Fate and Gratitude: Man Nguyen’s Saluki Story<\/span> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_3872-copy.jpg\")