William Hua is one of more than 15 Early Entrance Program graduates and is headed to prestigious Ph.D. program
While most 16-year-olds are focusing on high school activities, William Hua will be graduating from college with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics this spring. He will be the youngest graduating senior in Cal State L.A.'s Class of 2015.
“It’s been a great experience at Cal State L.A., and I’m honored to be the youngest student out of a class filled with many brilliant and hardworking people,” said Hua, who lives in Pomona.
Hua, who is headed to Johns Hopkins University to pursue a Ph.D. in applied mathematics and statistics, was just 12-years-old when he was admitted to Cal State L.A. through the Early Entrance Program, known as EEP. The program is administered by the University’s Honors College.
The program admits extraordinarily gifted students as young as 11 to Cal State L.A., providing them with monitored evaluation, regular counseling sessions and the opportunity to study with like-minded peers. Graduates of the program include former Rhodes Scholar and Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen and entertainment and fashion attorney Jacqueline Lechtholz-Zey.
Hua, who is graduating magna cum laude, is among more than 15 EEP graduates receiving their baccalaureate degrees this year.
“I applied for the EEP because I wanted to accelerate my education,” he said. “And ever since I took a high school calculus class, I became interested in mathematics and the application of math in other sciences.”
Despite his academic workload, Hua serves as vice president of the Cal State L.A. Math Club and is conducting organic chemistry research in Professor Matthias Selke’s lab on campus. There, he was able to improve his understanding of the research process. Cal State L.A. is known for providing undergraduate students with ample opportunities to conduct lab research under the guidance of renowned faculty mentors.
“Dr. Selke has been an incredible mentor,” Hua said. “I also enjoyed most of my math courses, but especially my probability and statistics class with Professor Daphne Liu. Both professors helped me grow and develop as an academic and as a person.”
When time allowed, Hua volunteered and shadowed doctors at USC Keck Medical Center. He also likes to play piano and to hang out with his friends on a basketball court.
“My career goal is not completely set, but I am currently planning on becoming a professor,” said Hua.
Photo: William Hua. (Credit: J. Emilio Flores, Cal State L.A.)
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06/03/15