FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 15, 2007

Contact: K.E. Schwab  

724-738-2199

 karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU alumnus takes oath to become one of nation’s newest citizens

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Bishnu Gopal Shrestha came to Slippery Rock University from his native Nepal in 1992 to study computer science. He graduated in 1996, remained in the United States, and last week became a U.S. citizen.

            Shrestha, now an application programmer for The Timken Company in Canton, Ohio, told the Canton Repository, “Basically, I’m going to be here, so I might as well be part of the system and community.”

            Shrestha and 18 others from Stark County, Ohio, were sworn in by taking the oath of citizenship at an event organized by the Stark County Court of Common Pleas and the Stark County Bar Association. The diverse group came from such countries as the Ukraine, Iran, the Philippines, Romania, Korea, Syria, India and China, among others.

            Pam Frigot, director of SRU’s International Services Office, remembers Shrestha as an international student with world-class badminton skills. “He has returned to campus to participate in our Internations Week alumni sports events,” she said.

            Shrestha said he had fond memories of campus, “I enjoyed my years there. I was involved in a few clubs, including Phi Kappa Theta, fraternity,” he said.

            “I thought of becoming a citizen since arriving in the U.S., and began an active pursuit several years ago. I did it mostly for my own personal satisfaction,” he said.

            Shrestha makes his home in North Canton.

            Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.

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