Alumni
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Gabriel Bui, a 2021 graduate of OCC's Criminal Justice program, returned to campus where he was sworn-in to the Syracuse Police Department.
Gabriel Bui, a 2021 graduate of OCC's Criminal Justice program, returned to campus where he was sworn-in to the Syracuse Police Department.

Gabriel Bui immigrated to the United States from Vietnam in June of 2019, and in his nearly 5 years here he's compiled an impressive list of accomplishments. He's joined the U.S. Army Reserves, earned his Criminal Justice degree from Onondaga Community College, and completed a bachelor's degree at SUNY Oswego.

April 26 he added another milestone to his list when he was sworn-in as a Syracuse Police Officer during a ceremony in OCC's Storer Auditorium. "I always like a challenge. Being a police officer takes a lot mentally and physically. I have a very high drive to protect everyone around me. This has always been my dream."

Bui has great memories of his time on campus, and the relationships he developed with faculty. "The professors here were great, especially Professor Patnode. We're still in touch. He's a great mentor. Every time I need some advice, I go to him. He supports me 100 percent."

The opportunity to return to campus one more time for his latest accomplishment was something he treasured. "I loved it here. It's like a circle is completed. I started here. I achieved my dream here. It feels like a cycle is completed."

Keywords
OCC
Onondaga Community College
Syracuse Police Department