NATURALIZATION CEREMONY YSU professor enjoys freedoms as U.S. citizen

The educator was among 23 people who became U.S. citizens Wednesday.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- To Qi Jiang, America truly is a land of opportunity. She came here to accomplish things that were beyond her grasp in her native Republic of China.
"I believe in this country," said Jiang, an associate professor of sociology at Youngstown State University. "No country is perfect, but the United States is the country I have faith in."
In China, government restrictions prohibited her from studying sociology or speaking out against social injustices. She came to the United States in 1982 to study at the University of Pittsburgh, from which she graduated in 1984.
She came to YSU 11 years ago, and about 18 months ago she began the process of becoming a United States citizen.
Jiang, 58, was among 23 people who were naturalized as citizens during a ceremony Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
Judge Maureen A. Cronin presided over the ceremony, assisted by newly appointed Judge Maureen A. Sweeney.
When Jiang's name was called by Diana Slack of the county clerk of courts office, her YSU students stood in the back of the courtroom and applauded. The judge joked that Jiang had brought a fan club to the ceremony.
Feeling patriotic
"It was so emotional," Jiang said of the ceremony, which was attended by more than a half-dozen of her students. "Finally I feel I'm a part of a country. This was such a major step for me to say I want to be an American."
Freedom of speech and the freedom to do academic research on the topic of her choice are among the more precious liberties Jiang said she enjoys in America.
"In the classroom here, we have the freedom to discuss ideas and theories," she said. "It doesn't have to be based on political theories."
Jiang said she takes comfort in knowing that she has assimilated into the American culture. Her citizenship affirms that comfort.
"I believe in the United States," she said. "Now I just feel safe and free."
bjackson@vindy.com