Beneath the tranquil surface of Texas Wesleyan University’s pool, a historic moment has just unfolded. Jeremy Duong, a criminal justice major who minored in scuba, made history this afternoon as the first person with a prosthetic leg to graduate underwater — an achievement that symbolizes his courage, determination and resilience.  

Born with a condition that necessitated amputation early in life, Duong has worn a prosthetic leg since toddlerhood. For years, he felt compelled to conceal his difference. However, he now embraces his unique journey and proudly showcases his active lifestyle. In addition to his academic and athletic pursuits, Duong has been a dedicated Zumba dancer for 15 years. This long-standing passion for fitness has not only kept him physically active but has also contributed to his positive outlook on life. 

Duong's path to graduation was not without its challenges. After a brief hiatus from higher education, he returned to school following the tragic loss of his father in 2019. Inspired by his father's memory, Duong persevered and completed his bachelor's degree. 

“I thought I would just flunk out of college and not go back, but with my dad's passing, I felt like he wanted me to go,” he said. 

Initially, he considered online college but yearned for the traditional college experience. He applied to numerous schools and ultimately chose Texas Wesleyan, where he received a scholarship to help cover tuition costs. When he learned about the underwater graduation option as a scuba minor, he seized the opportunity to make a bold statement. 

"When I went through orientation, that’s when I found out about the scuba program and that you could graduate underwater. I thought it was pretty neat,” he said. “I went through a whole set of minors, but I kept this one because I wanted to be the first prosthetic student to graduate underwater. I’m excited that I get to be the first to do something.” 

Despite the physical and mental challenges posed by scuba diving with a prosthetic leg, Duong persevered. 

"I didn’t know what the challenge (with scuba) was going to be. I was nervous about it. Only certain legs can get wet, so I had to decide if I swim with a prosthetic or without one at all. I didn’t know how much it would affect my balance and buoyancy,” he said. Ultimately, he decided to dive with his prosthetic leg. 

“There were certain exercises that we had to do that were majorly challenging to me,” he said. “I couldn’t do them, but everyone else could pretty much do it easily. There were times I thought I was going to quit because I didn’t really have that much self-confidence to complete all the challenges and exercises.”  

However, after some encouragement from scuba professor Alec Ranck, he not only overcame the challenges but also became a mentor to his peers, sharing techniques and offering support. 

“I went week by week, and started doing some techniques that helped me improve. I started nailing them,” he said. “It just took some time to overcome the challenges. I tell new students that if they keep practicing, they will eventually get it. 

“I had a teacher, Alec Ranck, that I looked up to. He helped me with the whole program. He’s always been there, even outside of class, motivating and encouraging me. I think that was the main thing I needed.”  

After graduation, Duong aspires to work in higher-level positions at American Airlines, attracted by the travel benefits and the company's assistance in covering the high cost of his prosthetic leg, which needs to be replaced every four to six years. Ultimately, however, he dreams of becoming an underwater recovery specialist — a career that involves underwater search and recovery for bodies, evidence and vehicles. 

Duong's journey is not just about overcoming physical challenges; it's also a story of academic triumph. Despite struggling with a low GPA earlier in his academic career, he persevered and is graduating with a GPA above 3.0.  

His story is an inspiration to anyone facing adversity, reminding us that with dedication and determination, we can achieve our dreams. 

“Take your time and go at your own pace,” he advises. “Everyone learns differently. Find what works for you and don’t be afraid to adapt.”