Defying Expectation

Armed with resilience, determination, and familial support, Ian Cheung, ’23, navigates an extraordinary path to graduation.

IN AN INSPIRING EXAMPLE OF TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY, 25-year-old Ian Cheung, ’23, has defied early expectations by not only attending college but excelling academically at Southern. Ian was born with autism and global developmental delay, a condition that impairs his walking, speaking, and fine-motor skills. Doctors initially were uncertain what his future would hold.

Today, that future is decidedly brighter. On May 17, Ian crossed the stage at Southern’s undergraduate commencement ceremony to accept his bachelor’s degree in computer science. A photo aptly tells the story: a gently smiling young man, surrounded by family, poses in an academic robe and mortarboard with a diploma jacket in hand. Several honorific cords circle his shoulders.

This is Ian Cheung — a young man who graduated summa cum laude (with highest honors) with a stellar 3.9 GPA. Several weeks earlier, he’d received a top departmental award for “Academic Excellence in Computer Science,” in the computer information systems concentration at the university’s Senior Honors Convocation — and he continues to excel. In the spring 2024 semester, Ian completed two courses in Southern’s graduate program in computer science.

When I look back at his college journey, I will always thank Southern because all the best things happened there.

— CANDY CHEUNG

Graduate Ian Cheung poses with guests, including his parents — Candy Lam (to the right of Ian) and Kei-Hoi Cheung (above).

Ian’s ongoing success is a testament to resilience, determination, and familial support. His parents, Kei-Hoi and Candy, both Southern alumni, refused to accept the limitations set by medical professionals and embarked on a mission to change the trajectory of their son’s life. Candy, a certified public accountant who put her career on hold, played an integral role in Ian’s educational journey, attending classes with him, providing communication support, and recording sessions for later review.

“In the beginning, I didn’t know how I could get involved with [Ian] in the classroom, when I should step in or when I should lay back,” says Candy, who has attended hundreds of hours of classes with her son after one of his professors invited her to sit in. “When I look back at his college journey, I will always thank Southern because all the best things happened there.”

Candy’s unwavering commitment to addressing Ian’s physical delays began in his early years. She later commuted long hours for him to attend speech therapy. Ian, who now walks independently and speaks with impressive clarity, credits his mother for shepherding him through the challenges.

Interim President Dwayne Smith shakes Ian’s hand at the ceremony.

Kei-Hoi, a professor at Yale University, expresses wonder at witnessing Ian earn the same degree he completed in 1987. More than three decades after Kei-Hoi attended Southern, Ian even studied with his father’s former computer science professor, Winnie Yu.

Kei-Hoi credits his son’s triumphs to steady progress. Taking life “one day at a time. One [letter of the] alphabet, one word, one task at a time,” he says.

Faculty members at Southern are in awe of Ian’s remarkable determination and strong grasp of coursework in the classroom. He even helps his classmates with their lessons and assignments.

When asked what has kept him motivated, Ian says simply: “I like how [computers] can be used to help many people. I feel grateful to have helped people.”

Professor Yu, in turn, is inspired by Ian’s success: “He is an organized and clear thinker. Although his speech is affected by his disabilities, with time and patience, Ian’s response and feedback are always coherent and thoughtful. Working with Ian is inspiring and has opened my eyes in terms of his great learning potential.” ■

Ian Cheung, ‘23, flanked by his devoted parents Kei-Hoi Cheung and Candy Lam.