Community supports Son Nguyen’s family through food drive, GoFundMe
On Feb. 23, Rollins was made aware of the passing of Son Nguyen, IT technical support specialist at the college. Nguyen’s death follows his battle with cancer that began in the Fall of 2020.
Kyle Bennett (‘22), a coworker of Nguyen’s, said, “I still remember getting that email in November that he was going on medical leave and not thinking much of it; I figured it might’ve been COVID-19 related […] It wasn’t until a couple months later when I found out that he was being moved to hospice due to cancer that I realized just how serious what was going on.”
Nguyen had worked with the Rollins User Services department since 2014, helping students and staff. His specialty was hardware, software, and network support, as well as video editing and photoshop, but he was most well known for his kindness.
“He approached his work with quiet confidence and a supportive, understanding attitude. It also helped that he was super smart,” said President Grant Cornwell.
Besides his consistent support, Cornwell said that Nguyen approached each task with a “wide range of competence.”
The Rollins community banded together in order to show support for Dr. Amy McClure, Nguyen’s wife and a faculty member.
“There was an organized food drive to prep meals for him and his wife going on that I had hoped to participate in but never got the chance,” said Bennett. “But, seeing the number of different individuals from across the college campus that had signed up warmed my heart.”
In addition to the food drive, a GoFundMe was set up in order to help pay for Nguyen’s medical and memorial bills. The fundraiser raised over $7,000.
McClure and Nguyen shared a deep, lasting bond. In McClure’s thesis, she dedicates her research to Nguyen: “For my steadfast partner in life. There is no recompense for the support you have provided. You didn’t just step back and allow me space to pursue my passions; you engaged with me every step of the way—emotionally, politically, and intellectually. This dissertation is dedicated to you, Son Nguyen.”
Further information about Nguyen could not be found due to a lack of a publicly accessible obituary.
[…] Bennett in his campaign video. When he tried to schedule a CAPS appointment after the passing of Son Nguyen, he said that CAPS told him to come back in two weeks. “Two weeks doesn’t help me when I’m in […]