Antony was honored as the College of Education’s highlighted graduate at WSU’s fall commencement ceremony Dec. 12.
So how did this determined fellow find his way from Kerala, a state in southwestern India, to the northwestern United States? It was with the support of John Brewer, a Pullman resident and retired WSU professor of German. Brewer tells the story:
“I first met Pavan in 2003, when I went to India to distribute 330 wheelchairs to needy persons, a project funded by Rotary Clubs in our district. Pavan was managing a school for children with disabilities. He was assigned to be my guide during the wheelchair distributions in seven different venues, which took at least two weeks.
“Pavan was a bundle of energy, full of ideas for raising funds and helping the children with disabilities in the school. The founder of the school suggested that Pavan would benefit greatly if he could experience what was being done for disabled children in other countries.
I offered to sponsor Pavan for one year at WSU, provided there was a course of study that would broaden his outlook and enhance his abilities in the special education field. Although I sponsored Pavan only for his first year, he continued his studies on the graduate level.
“Pavan lived in my home for four-and-a-half years, and I have followed his intellectual growth with deep interest. His work with Associate Professor Paulette Mills and others in the College of Education has revolutionized his conception of special education.
I have no doubt that he will one day return to India and make substantial contributions to implementing humane, inclusive policies of education for all children, including those with special needs.”
Antony praised the Department of Teaching and Learning faculty who helped him earn his Ed.D., including Mills. During the stress of prelims and dissertation writing, he said, “I could call Paulie at any hour and say `Hey, I’m freaking out, I don’t know what to do.’ ”
Mills describes Antony as thirsty for knowledge and, given that special education is not widely supported in his homeland, someone who chose a career out of a strong desire to help.
“He’s a model citizen,” she said.
Antony is teaching at WSU as adjunct faculty and looking for full-time work in his field.
