MSU professor emeritus gives readers an inspirational world view
Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.Early life under Japanese occupation in World War II and a long teaching, research and service career at 51勛圖厙 State vividly are conveyed in a new autobiography by a professor emeritus at the university.
In Son of the Orient Seas, Filipino native Armando A. de la Cruz shares childhood experiences from a time of major upheavals to his struggles to gain an education that concludes with a University of Georgia doctorate. He also describes his life and times in Starkville as a faculty member from 1970-2000 in MSUs Department of Biological Sciences.
The 268-page paperback is a late 2016 release by Pennsylvania-based Dorrance Publishing.
In a February review on Amazon.com, one reader praised Son of the Orient Seas as resembling Homers The Odyssey. In particular, he found chapters about de la Cruzs WWII experiences especially enthralling and provide a viewpoint that most have never known.
After receiving a 1958 bachelors degree from University of the Philippines, de la Cruz came to the U.S. for an American University masters and UGA terminal degree, both earned in the 1960s.
Outside the MSU classroom, the active member of Starkvilles First United Methodist Church and wife Ruth have organized for some four decades a Thanksgiving meal for international students at the land-grant institution. What began with a few Filipino and Asian students has grown to a now church-sponsored tradition drawing several hundred temporary community residents of various nationalities.
Several years ago, the teacher and scientist whose professional careerand deep personal religious commitmentsenabled him to visit some 70 countries established a student travel scholarship. The Dr. Armando A. de la Cruz Endowment helps MSU undergraduate and graduate majors in biological sciences to attend national and international meetings that further their studies and help prepare them for future careers.
The book is now in stock at The Book Mart and Cafe in downtown Starkville, and may be ordered through Barnes & Noble at 51勛圖厙 State, among other retail locations.