Blind Lady Becomes First Person to Graduate with Accounting Degree from PSU
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Blind Lady Becomes First Person to Graduate with Accounting Degree from PSU

  • Sam Biyazin immigrated to the US after she was left blind following an accident in her native country Ethiopia
  • She became the first visually impaired student to graduate with an Accounting degree from Portland State University, PSU
  • Although told she could not learn Maths because of her condition, she overcame, making history in 2018

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In 2018, Sam Biyazin graduated with an Accounting degree from Portland State University, PSU, becoming the first blind student to attain the feat in the establishment.

The Ethiopian-born inspired many with her pioneering achievement as she paved the path for people like herself and abled students alike.

Originally, Biyazin was not born blind, but an accident left her visually impaired at age four, according to Devon Haskins of KGW News.

Sam Biyazin
Blind Lady Becomes First Person to Graduate with Accounting Degree from PSU. Image: PSU
Source: Instagram

Growing up in Ethiopia

While coping with the misfortune that left her blind as a child in Ethiopia, Biyazin was told that she could not study Maths because of her condition.

Read also

Determined African American grandfather earns his PhD against all odds

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She immigrated to the US, and with support from her educators, she overcame her inadequacy.

Studying at PSU

At Portland State University, she worked hard with her professors and the Disability Resource Center to make all her coursework accessible using screen-readers, braille, and other tools.

After graduating with a degree in Accounting, she secured a job with a Fortune 500 company. Her alma mater uploaded her video on Instagram to celebrate her achievements.

Click to watch the video below;

The Dental Advocate who Became the First African-American to Graduate from MUSC

Earlier, Briefly News reported that Dr George C McTeer Sr, DMD, made history when he became the first African-American dentist to graduate from the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC.

The alumnus of the College of Dental Medicine at MUSC made a positive impact on his alma mater that has benefited students after him.

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Dr. Lynette Nusbacher’s bio: age, son, wife, before and after pics, worth

McTeer was a Maths and Science educator before switching to establish a career in dentistry, according to Education at MUSC.

Determined African American Grandfather Earns His PhD Against All Odds

Earlier, Briefly News reported that at 83, Johnnie Jones made history when he became the oldest living Black person to earn a doctoral degree from the Louisiana State University, LSU, in 2018.

Attaining higher education had always been his dream, but he left school in sixth grade to support his family after World War II.

Jones knew the importance of education but still couldn't continue his studies when he joined the Marine Corps at 18.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Kelly Lippke avatar

Kelly Lippke (Senior Editor) Kelly Lippke is a copy editor/proofreader who started her career at the Northern-Natal Courier with a BA in Communication Science/Psychology (Unisa, 2007). Kelly has worked for several Caxton publications, including the Highway Mail and Northglen News. Kelly’s unique editing perspective stems from an additional major in Linguistics. Kelly joined Briefly News in 2018 and she has 14 years of experience. Kelly has also passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative. You can reach her at kelly.lippke@briefly.co.za.

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Tshepiso Mametela (Head of Current Affairs Desk) Tshepiso Mametela is a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience writing for online and print publications. He is the current affairs Head of Desk at Briefly News. He was a news reporter for The Herald, a senior sports contributor at Opera News SA, and a reporter for Caxton Local Media’s Bedfordview and Edenvale News and Joburg East Express community titles. He has attended media workshops, including the crime and court reporting one by the Wits Justice Project and Wits Centre for Journalism in 2024. Email: tshepiso.mametela@briefly.co.za