Out of countless students, staff, faculty, alumni, administrators and community members at Penn State, one of Western Illinois Universitys own professors has been named one of the Faces of Penn State.

Journalism professor Yong Tang is receiving this honor.

The program showcases the personal accomplishments, public contributions and pioneering spirit resulting from the Penn State experience, education and community, Faces of Penn States website said.

Some of (the other people on the list) are local prize-winners; some of them are national Olympic medalist; some of them are Miss Pennsylvania; some of them are renowned social science scholars, so I feel I am privileged, Tang said. I am honored to be listed among such a wonderful group of people. Its a great honor for me to represent Penn State.

Having grown up in poverty in Sichuan Province, China, Tang has come a long way from his roots.

As a child, he grew up without newspapers, magazines, radio or TV. The only communication tool was word of mouth.

Despite these setbacks, Tang always enjoyed reading and writing when he was young.

My primary school, middle school and high school teachers all praised me for my writing and was considered as models for other students, he said.

Tang didnt start reading newspapers until he first started college at Sichuan International Studies University. He wrote articles for the schools university-controlled newspaper and also started a student-run magazine with two other classmates.

The purpose (of the publication) was to encourage students to read more, read more English books so can have a broader knowledge base, he said. So, I published a lot for that publication.

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Professor receives Penn State recognition