College of DuPage hosts naturalization ceremony, offers citizenship classes

More than 200 individuals representing 50 countries officially became U.S. Citizens at a recent Oath of Allegiance ceremony at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd. in Glen Ellyn.

The event, sponsored by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service in conjunction with the College's Adult Basic Education/ESL/GED office, drew more than 700 guests and featured Congressman Peter Roskam and COD Acting Interim President Dr. Joe Collins. Visit www.flickr.com/photos/codnewsroom/sets/72157658020674031 to view photos from the event. A total of 236 candidates took the Oath of Allegiance and received their credentials officially identifying them as U.S. Citizens.

In offering his congratulations, Congressman Roskam expressed his admiration for the hard work and determination of those seeking new opportunities in the U.S.

"It's quite a beautiful sight," he said. "Your faces are the tapestry of this country. The United States welcomes more than one million immigrants each year and we do this because our country is much better because of it.

Dr. Collins echoed these sentiments and applauded the efforts of all the candidates, some of whom had taken Citizenship test preparatory classes through the College.

"A big part of the 29,000 students at College of DuPage are the 4,500 students in our Adult Basic Education/GED program," he said. "We are pleased to have helped many of you prepare for this moment and we are here to help you further in your academic journey."

College of DuPage annually serves about 200 students through its Citizenship prep course. This free course includes three learning modules - Procedures and History, Government, and Constitutions and Customs. Additionally, students learn about the pathway to becoming a U.S. citizen, including the application and interview process.

For more information, call (630) 942-3697, or visit cod.edu/academics/conted/basic/citizenship.aspx.