December 04, 2020
Jacey Tran and Bekah Rouh
Midway through the spring 2020 semester, Kutztown University, like everywhere else, had to transition to online learning and send all of its resident students home, due to the coronavirus pandemic. In this uncertain time, students were unsure about what the rest of the semester would look like. Most headed home to start online learning, but KU had some students who could not return home due to limited travel.
Huong "Jacey" Tran, a Biochemistry major at KU, was a sophomore at the time. Being from Vietnam made her situation different from most. Due to traveling regulations, she was unable to go home like most of her classmates. She had been living in the Honors Hall and KU helped her move to Golden Bear Village South with other students for the remainder of the semester. The housing office would often check in on students and conduct virtual events for them to attend keeping them communicating and busy.
“I'm grateful for the extra help for students who remained on campus,” said Jacey.
When summer break started, Jacey planned on living on campus until the next academic year started. She got a call from Bekah Roux, a friend she used to live with in the Honors Hall during her freshman year. Bekah was checking up on Jacey, knowing she was still living on campus, and asked her if she would want to live with her in New York for the summer. Jacey gladly accepted and the two became best friends.
“I wanted to help her because she's my friend. I knew she needed a place to stay and that if the roles were reversed, she'd do the same for me.” Bekah said.
Jacey and Bekah learned a lot from each other during their time together. Jacey taught Bekah about Vietnamese culture, how to cook native dishes, and some of the language. Bekah taught Jacey how to swim, make s’mores, and how to play MANY card games. They bonded over their love for similar music and long car rides together.
“It was really cool seeing someone who was so similar to me but grew up in a completely different part of the world,” Bekah said.
Jacey and Bekah are honors students at KU and are very involved with campus life. Jacey is working for housing this school year as a Community Assistant and continuing as a Biochemistry major. She plans to graduate in 2022. Bekah is a senior majoring in Environmental Science and Anthropology. She is also the captain of the Women’s Rugby team. She will graduate in May 2021. They are both enjoying being back on campus, spending time with their friends, and continuing their friendship.
By Michael Rubinstein '21, Web Content Writer
Jacey Tran (left) and Bekah Roux
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The Blues and Rock Ensemble at Kutztown University will make you get out of your seat and dance - and applaud this award-winning group.
READ FULL STORYAfter graduation, Heather Browne '16 moved back to the Baltimore area, where she is now a first-grade teacher at the Maryland School for the Blind.
READ FULL STORYTwo years after graduating in 2009, Clay created his first fantasy football website. By 2016, ESPN came calling.
READ FULL STORYNessa Cartagena of Bethlehem, Pa., was awarded the 2018 Enlightened Leadership Scholarship to attend KU and majors in finance and personal financial planning.
READ FULL STORYA field hockey player by training, she soon identified the characteristic that would come to define her love for politics: a competitive spirit.
READ FULL STORYPeace Corps volunteer Yorman De La Rosa made it to Morocco by way of Kutztown University, after a semester-long stop in our nation’s capital.
READ FULL STORYMarybeth Kern ’09, M’19, who recently secured a spot as a featured artist in Logic’s music video, is all about collaboration.
READ FULL STORYTekiah Brabham's commitment to urban classrooms leads her to teach in Washington, D.C.
READ FULL STORYKU Celebrates First Graduating Cohort of the Education Doctorate Program.
READ FULL STORYChristina Franko Uliano ’07 used a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms grant to broaden her curriculum. After spending time abroad in Colombia, Christina joined a Fulbright global education online course to learn the tools for bringing global thinking into the classroom.
READ FULL STORYKutztown University is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its relationship with the Lake Peninsula School District in the state of Alaska.
READ FULL STORYSarah is a junior, majoring in social media theory and strategy, with a double minor in business and communications.
READ FULL STORYKutztown University gave Moe an opportunity that no other school did, to study a prestigious major while playing championship-level basketball.
READ FULL STORYMichael is a sophomore, majoring in secondary education with a concentration in mathematics.
READ FULL STORYIn this Kutztown University Student Spotlight, we highlight Laura Gale. Laura is a senior, pursuing anthropology degree. See why she chose KU!
READ FULL STORYKutztown University alumnus, Collin DiGalbo, signs professional contract to continue football career overseas.
READ FULL STORYKutztown University student Joey Strain has lived out his dream of being a children’s book illustrator, and he hasn’t even graduated yet.
READ FULL STORYRecent graduate Tyler Shull is ready to set out on his journey as a teacher.
READ FULL STORYBriana combined a marketing major with a social media minor to create a path to success in a field she can't wait to join.
READ FULL STORYSavina found the perfect combination at KU, with a double major in chemistry and environmental science.
READ FULL STORYChinonyerem, "Noye" is a senior, majoring in Elementary Education/Pre-K - 4 and Special Education/Visual Impairments.
READ FULL STORYFrankmarlin is a 2020 Kutztown University graduate of the Studio Arts Program. He returned to KU in 2020-21 as an artist in residence.
READ FULL STORYNicholas found a community of ambitious, talented students who challenge him to grow as an artist and aspiring teacher.
READ FULL STORYKU's Upward Bound program helps prepare students in Allentown's William Allen School District for a college education.
READ FULL STORYStudents and faculty conducted an archaeological dig at a prehistoric site on campus.
READ FULL STORYKU alumnus dedicates career to defending "everyday people."
READ FULL STORYKU alumna charts a path to her dream job.
READ FULL STORYKU alumna works to increase the prevalence of multicultural literature in schools.
READ FULL STORYKU alumnus finds entrepreneurial success in an unexpected way.
READ FULL STORYKU alumna find success in show business.
READ FULL STORYThis professional writing graduate is helping to bring PennDOT's message to the people of Pennsylvania.
READ FULL STORYKU professors and internationally renowned musical duo nurture promising students and promote the university’s musical offerings.
READ FULL STORYKutztown University alumnus fights food insecurity with America’s Grow-a-Row
READ FULL STORYPolitical Science alumna pursues career in law.
READ FULL STORYAlumna's experience at KU leads to her dream job in a copper mine.
READ FULL STORYKutztown University alumnus is continuing the legacy of education.
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University student Mallory Schmidt who is studying Special Education/Visually Impaired.
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University Student Rotuk Rahedi studying Sport Management.
READ FULL STORYEnvironmental science student Patrick plans to continue his research in graduate school.
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University student Bianca Rosales studying Art Education.
READ FULL STORYBiology major has soared with research opportunities at KU and beyond.
READ FULL STORYThis 2019 graduate is on her way to a pediatric residency after completing med school.
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University student Victoria Fischer, studying Cinema, Television and Media Production
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University student Sylvannah Gulley, a Library Science major.
READ FULL STORYMeet Kutztown University student Nicholas Coppolino, a Business Administration/Entrepreneurship major.
READ FULL STORYStudent spotlight alert! Meet Eva Labram. She is a Professional Writing major at Kutztown University. Learn more about her education journey here.
READ FULL STORYAudrey Zimmerman co-owns the oldest children's shoe company in America.
READ FULL STORYThis 2014 graduate is practicing the art of dentistry.
READ FULL STORYKutztown alum graduates from prestigious FBI National Academy.
READ FULL STORYTraveling to the brink of volcanoes.
READ FULL STORYEnsuring Safety in Research Environments.
READ FULL STORYLaying the Groundwork for a Better Future
READ FULL STORYAlumnus strives to empower everyday people to solve their money challenges.
READ FULL STORY