Press Releases

May 12, 2000
Her Family Killed by the Khmer Rouge, a Graduate Finds Hope
Chantha Sun Escaped Cambodia With Her Father; Will Give Him Her Degree

Contact:
Darren Johnson
(631) 287 8313
Fax: (631) 283 4081

Southampton, NY - Chantha Sun still feels as if her mother SiThan is with her. Following in SiThan's footsteps, Chantha is a budding businesswomen. Starting with her mother's death at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, the 22-year-old has faced several daunting obstacles. But Chantha says her mother has watched over her - and will be proud when she graduates this month from Southampton College of Long Island University.

The Khmer Rouge executed SiThan, a roadside saleswoman, and all of her extended family, except Chantha's father, Than Sun, when Chantha was a baby. The father escaped with Chantha through the Cambodian jungle into Thailand. He met a new wife and, as refugees, they made a harrowing journey to the U.S. in 1981. "I have nobody," Chantha said. "My father is the only blood relative I have here."

A Liberal Studies-Business major, Chantha will give Than Sun her degree on Sunday, May 21, after commencement ceremonies and an address by famed musician Billy Joel. "I want my father to be proud," Chantha said, "and he deserves the degree more than me. He has worked hard, even taking jobs at fast-food restaurants, and suffered a lot to see me succeed."

Living the life of a refugee wasn't easy. A Christian group relocated the Suns to Ithaca, NY. Chantha's stepfamily regularly ridiculed and abused her, but Chantha couldn't tell Than Sun because it would break his heart. So she went meekly into an arranged engagement at the age of 14. "I couldn't make everyone happy," Chantha said, "so I thought I'd play the role of an obedient daughter."

At 15, she was forced to live with her fiancée. It was a loveless relationship, Chantha said, and they constantly fought. At school, she was trapped in special-education courses. She had zero self-esteem. But Chantha knew her mother had been a hard worker and Chantha followed suit, often taking several part-time jobs at once to pay her living expenses. "I was lucky because I've always been a workaholic," Chantha said, "but it was one job that made the difference.

"When I was 14, I was a clerk at the Cornell University bookstore and it opened up a new world for me. I saw smart students who had dreams and goals. I wanted to be like them and do something with my life."

By age 17 she had bettered her grades and fled her fiancée to live on her own for a year. She wasn't sure where she was going next, but she wanted to find a college that was personal and friendly. She wanted to be a new person, and she needed a new location. That's when, through word of mouth, she heard about Southampton College, a small liberal arts campus on the Atlantic and in the heart of the famous Hamptons of Long Island. Through the College's Higher Education Opportunity Program, Chantha was accepted and received financial aid. Southampton College Academic Dean Maggie Madden adds, "Because of our low student-to-faculty ratio and hands-on programs, Chantha fit in perfectly here. Her upbeat personality has made her a favorite on campus with students, faculty and staff."

Despite all her obstacles, Chantha's incredible work ethic pushed her toward graduating on time and she recently made the Dean's List. Southampton College gave Chantha its Grace Under Fire Award on May 3. "In college, I found something nobody had ever given me before - respect," she said. "I didn't know what the meaning of happiness was until I came to Southampton."

Chantha says she's a totally different person now. Enthusiastic and focused, she has gained valuable experience working for banks and Disney on internships and wants to go into human resources upon graduation. "I want to help other people find what's right for them," she said. Eventually, she hopes to be her own boss and start a real-estate company.

Chantha has found romantic love, too, with boyfriend Pharith Deng. Life is finally going right. "It's important to believe in yourself. Having a dream takes you halfway there; working on it will be the success, no matter how big or small the outcome may be." She says SiThan's spirit will be walking with her on the commencement stage. Waiting for her will be Than Sun, who is traveling to Southampton for the landmark day. Chantha added: "I'm going to give my Dad my degree because I want him to experience some of the happiness I've found."