Before serving two tours in the U.S. Marine Corps in Fallujah, Iraq, Michael Chan, 23, was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, where he began filming messages for some of his colleagues to send home to loved ones.
While serving his country, Chan’s interest in filmmaking grew, and after he received an honorable discharge in April 2008, he decided to enroll at LaGuardia Community College to pursue his passion.
“I knew that I needed an education and to learn more about filmmaking,” Chan said. “Going back to school was a priority for me.”
During the past year, Chan has excelled in the classroom and has received praise from many of his professors for being a model student and a good example to his classmates.
“He is excelling in his classes and he is ready to help others, whether it is another returning vet, a student who is interested in a career in the military or a fellow classmate who he feels needs a little encouragement,” said Dr. Kyoko Toyoma, who is Chan’s college advisor at LaGuardia.
Chan has performed so well in the classroom that he recently became the recipient of two scholarships – the Horatio Alger Distinguished Military Scholarship and the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce/CUNY Scholarship.
When the attacks on the World Trade Center happened on September 11, 2001, Chan was a high school student living on the lower East Side. He said the severity of the attacks coupled with the proximity to where he lived really spurred him to join the military.
“What I always wanted to do was enlist in the military,” said Chan, who spoke to a recruiter when he was 16 years old, only to be told that he would have to wait until he was 18 to enlist. “And after September 11, I was more determined than ever.”
Chan said it was not an easy decision to leave the military, and he still misses the camaraderie and friendships he developed with his fellow marines.
“I would definitely consider it [reenlisting in the military], but I really want to give film a shot,” Chan said. “That’s the reason I got out.”
Chan is expected to graduate from LaGuardia Community College this November, and he already has applications into seven schools for him to pursue his undergraduate degree. He is enjoying school so much that he is considering getting his masters as well. In the meantime, Chan is currently working on a short film of his own with the help of a few friends.
“It’s basically based on my life story,” Chan said. “It’s about a high school student who makes choices during the time of war.”
