From Russian Army to Whitman College Commencement
Vladimir Rojansky, who arrived in America knowing no English, is named class orator at Whitman College.
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Vladimir Rojansky of Kiev, Russia, has been selected to be one of the three commencement orators at Whitman College in Walla Walla. He was chosen by the faculty because of his high scholastic standing and oratorical ability. Three years ago, Rojansky came to America after many long months of service in the Russian army. Three months after he landed in the United States, he entered Whitman, where he has worked his way through college at manual labor. Upon his arrival, he could not speak a word of English. Today, there is not a student in the college who speaks purer English than Rojansky.
“Upon his arrival he could not speak a word of English. Today there is not a student in the college who speaks purer English than Rojansky.”
Rojansky's story of forced conscription and subsequent academic achievement at a Washington college reflects the long history of immigrant contributions to the region's intellectual life, often achieved despite significant systemic barriers.
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