While Andrew Luong C’26 was born and raised in North Philadelphia, his first visit to Penn’s campus felt like a trip to a new city. “West Philadelphia is completely different from North Philadelphia, and North Philadelphia is completely different from South Philadelphia. Living on Penn’s West Philly campus offers a fresh perspective on the city I’ve known my entire life.”
Andrew’s passion for public service has informed his academic trajectory. As a Political Science major, he studies American government and how laws can be created and applied to better serve local and national communities. In Professor Marci Hamilton’s Constitutional Law class, Andrew gained a renewed appreciation for the legislative process and the role of policymakers in advocating for their constituents. “Along with her research and expertise in Constitutional Law, Professor Hamilton is very passionate about helping people. Her think tank, CHILD USA, fights to end child abuse and neglect and reform laws around statutes of limitations, and she makes a true difference. Her work has inspired my dedication to community service and activism.”
At Penn, Andrew pursues his passions through internships and coursework while simultaneously exploring new interests. In addition to chairing the WHO Committee for Penn’s Model United Nations Conference and serving as one of the event directors for Penn’s Model Congress—through which he applies his direct experience of interning in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate—Andrew has uncovered a new enthusiasm for an unanticipated extracurricular activity: Beekeeping Club. Having no prior experience with apiculture—and burdened by a healthy fear of bees—Andrew never envisioned himself tending hives. Encouragement from friends and innate curiosity compelled him to connect with Beekeeping Club during the Student Activities Fair, and once he encountered the kindness of the community, he became a devoted student of bee society. “The fact that honeybees can adapt to thrive in any setting, including our urban campus environment, is really inspiring. I became President of Beekeeping Club last year, and I’ve loved building a community committed to environmental conservation and protecting pollinators. Bees are such organized, dedicated workers, and our ecosystem could not function without them. They are certainly an inspiring role model for me.”
As a first-generation low-income student, Andrew acknowledges the far-reaching impact of alumni gifts. “I’m grateful to be a named scholarship recipient and a QuestBridge scholar. Alumni giving has made it possible for me to take full advantage of my education, explore new interests, and focus on the impact I want to make in the world—all free from financial worry. I want alumni donors to know they are making a big impact for so many Penn students and helping us fulfill our dreams.”
His familial background and the friendships he’s forged on campus have emphasized to Andrew the necessity of community. “My mom and her family fled Saigon during the Vietnam War and finally made it to Philadelphia after a very difficult journey. Meeting so many different people at Penn—many with similar stories of fleeing oppressive governments or seeking more equitable opportunities—has helped me cultivate my community and understand the importance of sharing perspectives and honoring our stories.”
Favorite Penn Tradition
