Spotlight on April graduates: Edwin Huang

Huang was 14 when his father, who struggled with a gambling addiction, left.

Without a father figure, Huang had to take on a more paternal role around the house. When he wasn’t in school, Huang was busy with work and chores to provide for his mother and older brother.

That’s a lot to ask of a teenager and the pressure built up to the point where he took his frustration out on his sibling. That fist fight prompted Huang’s mother to call Dearborn police.

“A lot of things weren’t going my way,” he said. “I didn’t see any results from all my hard work.”

Huang had two choices — move to New York to live with his relatives or spend time in a juvenile detention center.

Huang instead decided to change his ways and focus on his future. That’s what landed him at University of Michigan-Dearborn.

With help from scholarships and financial aid, Huang will graduate this Sunday with a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management.

And among the 782 UM-Dearborn students who will graduate this semester, Huang is among an elite few who will receive a Chancellor’s Medallion Award. The College of Business selected Huang as its Chancellor’s Medallion recipient based on his academic record, quality of character, vitality, intellect and integrity.

For Huang, it’s the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance.

“I live a different life than a lot of people,” he said. “I never had it that easy. Everything I’ve received, I’ve had to work for. Everything that’s happened up to this day has happened for a reason.”

Huang’s notebook planner is evidence that he lives a different life than most students. In fact, his to-do list rivals that of a small army. Work. Class. Chores. Gym. Repeat.

But for the UM-Dearborn senior, it’s just part of everyday life.

“I schedule out my whole day in this planner,” said Huang, as he flipped through his notebook to check his schedule. “I keep it old school and it helps me remember things better. That way, there’s no excuse for me missing something.”

Ask some students about what their future holds after graduation and there’s a hint of uncertainty. Huang is a bit more detailed in his approach to the real world.

By 22, he plans to land an entry-level job at a Fortune 500 company. During his free time, he will begin formulating his business plans.

By 23, he hopes to move into a supervisor’s role and launch his business.

At 29, Huang’s goal is to establish his business on the Fortune 500 list. Huang hopes to accumulate a net worth of $250 million by 34.

“I understand that my timeline and goals may seem ridiculous and unattainable because of my background, but I have complete faith in myself,” he said. “Crazier things have happened. I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I know what I want and I’m working toward it every day.”

Huang’s unique upbringing fuels his determination to succeed. Whereas some people would shy away from his situation, Huang embraced the added responsibilities, which included chores, parenting and monetarily supporting his mother.

Huang takes that same sense of ownership to the classroom.

“Edwin has that rare combination of natural quantitative and qualitative skills that are greatly enhanced by his drive to learn, understand and achieve,” said accounting Professor Brian Green.

Green has recognized that Huang’s strong performance in the classroom rubs off on his classmates.

“He is one of those students who will always make a positive contribution,” Green said. “I really need a few more students just like Edwin.”