Anthony Addy

Student

“African Americans would do well, I think, to come and visit Ghana. It’s a beautiful country where they can learn much about their pre-American history.”

For his photograph, Anthony Addy had to strip off the gray beard and fright wig that he was wearing. He doesn’t usually go ‘incognito,’ but this was Club Row day, and Anthony— along with his future scientist and physician colleagues—was doing his level best to look like the ‘mad professor.’ “Being a part of the SMC Science Club has introduced me to a lot of challenges; not least being the wardrobe department,” he says with a laugh. “But I think that involvement in a student club at SMC provides a lot more than just being silly. What we do in our club has a lot to do with helping each other out and making sure that science remains our number one priority.” For Anthony, science is the road to a medical practice that he plans to dedicate to improving the health of his people in Ghana.

“I was always involved in science classes at home, but to study to become a doctor, it’s best to come to America,” says Anthony. “If all goes well, I will transfer to UCLA, get my medical degree, and then go home to serve as a physician. I’ve heard from so many friends that SMC is one of the country’s leading colleges,” he continues, “and I came here because I want excellent science instruction that will allow me to transfer easily to UCLA.”

Though Anthony reports being ‘thoroughly in tune’ with SoCal culture, he says that Ghana is in no way lacking by comparison. “We have truly magnificent beaches at home, and a wonderful festival that happens every year in November called the Pan African Festival. There are singers like Dionne Warwick who come down. And in the midst of it all, you can discover the magnificent castles of my country, the origins of the slave trade, and much about the origins of African Americans in general.”

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