June 22, 2015 at 2:05 p.m.
Haiti native, Nicolet graduate focused on bachelor's degree, rebuilding his country
Haiti native, Nicolet graduate focused on bachelor's degree, rebuilding his country
"I would make houses, boats, all kinds of things with whatever materials I could find," he said. "Ever since I was a child I wanted to be an engineer."
But growing up in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Attis, now 28, knew that would be a challenge. He completed the U.S. equivalent of high school, but realized the prospects of getting further training looked dim. Higher education meant he'd have to leave the country and the people he loves so much. And even if he was willing to, he didn't have the means.
Fast forward to Jan. 12, 2010. A catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean Island nation. In the weeks that followed, 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or higher continued to ravage the republic.
Countries from around the world quickly began sending in humanitarian aid and people to help coordinate relief efforts. Atti, knowing how to speak some English along with French, Spanish, and his native Creole, soon found himself working as a translator, facilitator, and occasional laborer.
"They needed someone to help communicate with people to organize relief efforts, so I was hired by one of the construction companies," he said.
Then, fate intervened.
The daughter of the owner of the American company he was working for sought out Attis to help her find a young Haitian boy she had sponsored. Although the country strongly frowns upon such efforts, he agreed to help in the search.
In the ensuing months the two talked often and Attis one day shared with her his dream of becoming an engineer.
"That's when she started encouraging me to study in the U.S. The more we talked, the more I realized that it really might be possible."
Fast forward again, this time to the winter of 2012. Working through various relief, he ultimately found sponsorship through a church in Rhinelander, living with a host family in Lake Tomahawk, and enrolled at Nicolet College.
"I really couldn't believe it," he said. "I never imagined studying in the U.S. and here I was, attending college! It was a dream come true."
Along with general education classes at Nicolet he sought out the services of the college's Academic Success department to help him become more fluent with the English language.
He also applied for and received scholarships through the Nicolet College Foundation to help him cover the cost of college.
"From the very beginning I was amazed, and very grateful, at how helpful everyone was," he said. "Everyone wanted me to succeed."
This past May he graduated from the college's University Transfer Liberal Arts program with an associate of science degree, complete with Phi Theta Kappa honors.
Dean of the University Transfer Liberal Arts Program Emily Stuckenbruck has known Attis since shortly after he came to Nicolet.
"The numerous challenges he has had to overcome and the resilience he's demonstrated time and again are truly inspiring on every level," she said.
Despite all that he has faced - cultural and language barriers, experiencing a period of homelessness after his first host family moved from the area, and immigration questions - he's persevered.
"Through it all, he's had this humble, infectious optimism, this drive to always move forward no matter what has happened in the past," Stuckenbruck said. "I know he's been an inspiration to many of his classmates. They see what he's been through, and I think that helps them work through the challenges they face in life."
This fall, Attis will transfer from Nicolet to the highly respected Milwaukee School of Engineering where he will pursue a bachelor's degree in civil engineering.
After that?
"I want to go back to Haiti to help rebuild my country," he said. "It's really all about serving others, helping others, just like so many people helped me so I could graduate from Nicolet. I want to go back to Haiti and serve the people in my country so they, too, can lead better lives."
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