Andre Faul, who teaches at the Speed School of Engineering, will graduate later this month with his doctorate in electrical and computer engineering at UofL.
Daughter Madri will graduate with her master of science in social work degree from the Kent School of Social Work, where mother Anna is an associate dean and professor.
But before those festivities were to occur, the Fauls and their four children became U.S. citizens in an April 25 naturalization ceremony. In the U.S. District Court session, conducted at the Americana Community Center, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services added 146 new citizens.
The Fauls came to Louisville from their native South Africa in 2000 when Anna Faul took her academic post at UofL’s Kent School. Their youngest child was 5 then, the oldest 11, and none of the children spoke English at the time.
“It’s been an incredible journey for all of us. The people just embraced us here,” she said. “I feel really excited. It’s pretty cool.” Friends and neighbors from Crestwood attended, as did several UofL faculty and staff members.
“It was an emotional experience in finally realizing that we are a part of this country…. We really appreciate it as a family,” her husband said.
So after commencement, what will they do for an encore? The next ceremonies will be this fall, when two of the younger Fauls will marry fellow Americans.
See more photos of the ceremony here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/uofl/sets/72157644393411476/.