Year 2015

Location United States;

University of Cincinnati 196th Anniversary Graduation Ceremony.

The rector and president of the university, Prof. Santa Ono begins his speech on the podium with an example.

A young Biochemistry graduate he describes in the example.

At the age of 13, this teenager attends a program at the University of Cincinnati that allows high school students to take college courses.

In other words, while receiving high school education, he also takes courses at the university.

Since he is 13 years old and cannot drive, this young man stays at the university all day.

The whole university, from its students to its academics, has embraced him like a little brother.

When this young man graduates from high school

He has passed so many courses from the university that he has only 1 year left to graduate from the university.

He gets five (5) honor degrees in the last year and becomes an honor student of the university.

While graduating from the university at the age of 17, he also takes the title of the youngest graduate in the field of science in the 196-year university history.

prof. When Ono tells all this and announces this young graduate, there is a round of applause. Everyone starts to proudly applaud this extraordinary young man.

This young man walking onto the stage with a smug smile on his face is İsmail Günaçar from Çat village in Pazar district of Rize.

* * *

It has been exactly one year since this incident.

Ismail Gunacar

is now one of Turkey's sanjaks in the world. Just like the role model Prof. Dr. Like Aziz Sancar.

When I heard his story, I immediately contacted him. First I said I was proud of him, then I asked a few questions. İsmail answered the questions warmly. I'm posting these answers that came a few hours ago without touching the point and comma.

Ömer Ekinci : You started taking university courses at the age of 13. You've come a long way in very little time. You got 5 honor degrees in 1 year. What is their secret? What did you do differently?

İsmail Günacar : Frankly, there are no secrets. There is nothing special that I drink every morning or eat for breakfast. It's not like I'm a genius or super-intelligent. The secret is to work hard and persevere. I enjoy my work and use my time valuable. In fact, sometimes I get too caught up in it, it may sound funny, but there are even days when I forget to eat from working hard.

I saw this hard work, this determination from my father, and that's how I became. My father is my greatest example. Likewise, my mother has a lot of work. They both did a lot for us, but most importantly, they showed how important education is. They set the right examples for us. They didn't just give advice, they showed it with their actions.

Omer Ekinci : Prof. Ono. How did you feel while giving that famous speech and describing you?

İsmail Günacar : Actually, Dr. I never thought that Ono would tell my story in front of 10,000 people at graduation, which made me very proud. Dr. Ono was very possessive of me, congratulated me many times, even supported me enough to open his own laboratory so that I could work. As a Turkish youth, it was a very valuable feeling to speak in front of 10 thousand people there.

Ömer Ekinci : What did your family do, how did they raise you, what do you think they did differently?

İsmail Günacar : I have always received a lot of support from my family, I have always seen morale and motivation, and most importantly, they have raised us by being an example by doing themselves rather than what they told me. For example, my mother left work every day and took me to college for 5 years and dropped me off. I can't even count my father's sacrifices.

In fact, when I think about it, I can give an important example of my family raising me. Growing up, they never gave us presents on my birthday or Christmas. Even on holidays, I saw only small pocket money. In our family, gifts and awards were given on the day of the report card. A good report card meant nice toys, brand new gifts. So my mother taught me that the real value, the real wealth, is education. As a child, I realized that education is more important than anything else.

Ömer Ekinci : How does Turkey look from there? What do you think Turkey and Turkish people should do?

İsmail Günacar : I don't know how this answer will be received, but I think Turkish people do not focus on themselves, everyone talks about politics. Everyone's a critique of the state. However, if everyone looks at himself with a critical eye and evaluates himself as harshly as he evaluates others, I am sure that the country and society will develop much faster.

On the other hand, Turkey is very popular abroad. I always proudly introduce myself as Turkish and I am very well received with anyone I meet. They even know our culture, some of our dishes, some of our values. I am very happy that Turkey's image is so good.

Ömer Ekinci : Do you have a definite intention to return to Turkey? What do you want to do if you return? Do you have any plans or dreams about Turkey?

İsmail Günaçar : Fate, destiny… Even so far, there have been so many different developments in many areas that I had planned that it was the opposite of what I had planned. I have no plans to return to Turkey completely for now, but I want to serve in some way. Maybe I spend a few months a year in Turkey.

may be in the form of

Ömer Ekinci : What are your dreams in terms of your own career, even if I ask you what is your biggest dream?

İsmail Günacar : Lots of dreams! My biggest dream is to become a very good doctor. I love science, people, helping people and at the same time entrepreneurship. My dream is to be like Elon Musk and Aziz Sancar. I want to make great contributions to humanity.

Ömer Ekinci : What would you recommend to Turkish youth?

İsmail Günacar : There is a word in English; “Focus” means “Focus!”. Focus on your goal and never stop. With enough determination, enough ambition, you can achieve anything. Don't be afraid to get carried away, don't be afraid to forget others, don't be afraid of sleepless nights, and most importantly, don't think your road is over when you achieve something, keep fighting!

* * *

Mothers, fathers, children, young people, read Ismail's story, have your loved ones read it.

SOURCE: STAR NEWSPAPER, (Ömer Ekinci, oekinci@stargazete.com)