A decade after graduating from high school — and after years of sacrifice, uncertainty and perseverance across two countries — Fredony “Freddy” Petit is finally about to realize a dream that once seemed far out of reach.
This week, the University of the Ozarks senior from Haiti will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting, becoming the first person in his family to earn a college diploma. Even before receiving that diploma, Petit has already secured a position as a Financial Auditor I with the Louisiana Legislature in Baton Rouge, where he will begin work on June 15.
For Petit, the moment represents far more than academic success. It is the culmination of a journey marked by resilience, faith and determination.
After graduating from high school in Haiti in 2016, Petit left his home country and spent the next several years in the Dominican Republic, working a variety of jobs while holding tightly to the hope that one day he could attend college.
That opportunity came through a connection with a mission team from St. Francisville (La.) Baptist Church, including Tammy DeLaney, whose daughter, Anna Claire Ryan, graduated from Ozarks in 2022.
“She encouraged me to take a chance because, as she said, you never know,” Petit said. “I followed her advice, applied, and was accepted. The admissions team at Ozarks, including Joey Hughes, Rebecca Willems, Michael Fitzpatrick, and Nicole England, helped me tremendously throughout the process. Since the University did not offer my first choice, engineering, I decided to pursue accounting instead.”
Petit still remembers arriving on campus for the first time on Jan. 13, 2023 — a Friday the 13th that ultimately proved life-changing.
“I still remember arriving on campus and realizing how different everything felt from what I was used to,” he said. “One of my biggest challenges at first was the weather, it was extremely cold for me coming from the Caribbean. At the time, it felt almost impossible to adapt to, although now it has become normal to me. My first day was exciting but also overwhelming. I was trying to figure everything out at once: a new country, a new school, a new environment, and a completely different lifestyle. I was assigned to stay in Mabee Suites, and even though I felt nervous and uncertain, I quickly noticed how welcoming and friendly most people were on campus. There was a real sense of community that helped me feel more comfortable.”
That sense of belonging only deepened as Petit immersed himself in campus life and quickly connected with Ozarks’ Haitian community as well as students from across the globe.
“Over time, I built friendships with students from many different backgrounds and cultures,” he said. “As time went by, Freddy, the nickname I go by, became a well-known name around campus. It was never something I planned for, but I think people connected with my friendly personality, my sense of humor, and the way I tried to make others feel welcome. Looking back, arriving at Ozarks was both challenging and life-changing, and it became the beginning of an unforgettable chapter in my life.”
Even amid his success at Ozarks, Petit carried the emotional weight of ongoing turmoil in his home country. During his sophomore year, escalating violence and instability in Haiti created some of the most difficult moments of his college journey.
“One of the hardest periods for me was during my sophomore year, when the situation in Haiti became increasingly dangerous and unstable,” Petit said. “Like many Haitian students, I was deeply affected emotionally by everything happening back home. At one point, my family had to leave their home because of the insecurity and violence in the country. These moments were devastating, it was not about just missing home, it was about the emotional torture of watching your country fall apart and feeling powerless so far away while trying to focus on school.”
Petit said a fellow Haitian classmate said something during a class video project that has stayed with him.
“He said, ‘For Haitian students, milestones like graduation are not just moments of celebration; they also remind us of who is missing.’ I think that captures a feeling many of us carry quietly,” Petit said. “During that time, it was hard to fully focus on classes and daily responsibilities, but I kept moving forward by doing the best I could one day at a time. I was fortunate to have professors who were understanding and supportive, as well as friends who regularly checked in to ask about my family and how I was doing. Those moments reminded me how important community and kindness can be during difficult seasons of life. Looking back, that experience taught me resilience, gratitude, and the importance of continuing to show up even when life feels overwhelming. As I often say, there is always more to be grateful for than to constantly stress about.”
Petit hopes to one day play a role in helping rebuild Haiti.
“Haiti will always be home to me, and most of my family still lives there,” he said. “No matter where life takes me, I will always remain connected to my country, my community, and the people who helped shape who I am today. One of my long-term hopes is to contribute in some way to creating better opportunities for the younger generation in Haiti. I would love to see a future where young people can pursue education, careers, and meaningful lives without feeling like leaving their home country is their only option for a better future. Although Haiti faces many challenges, I still believe in the strength, resilience, and potential of its people. My journey has taught me the importance of giving back, staying hopeful, and using every opportunity as a way to help others along the way.”
Petit said he knew accounting was for him ever since his first accounting class with Professor Pam Cogan.
“I immediately enjoyed it,” he said. “Later, during my sophomore year, I started a work-study position in the finance office and that was when everything I had been learning in class, especially debits and credits, started to make real sense. I loved seeing how accounting connects to real businesses and everyday decisions. What truly made me pursue accounting was realizing that it is the language of business. It gives you the ability to understand how organizations operate, make decisions, solve problems, and grow. Over time, accounting became more than just a major to me; it became something I genuinely enjoy learning. My love for accounting is like land, it will never depreciate, no matter what.”
As a first-generation college graduate, Petit said he feels proud of himself for staying resilient through difficult moments and continuing to move forward even when the path was uncertain.
“At the same time, I know this accomplishment is much bigger than me alone,” he added. “This journey would not have been possible without the support of many people who believed in me along the way, including Elizabeth Noback, Tammy Delaney, Hank Baum, Leslie Cooper’s team in St. Francisville, my professors—especially Professor Cogan and Professor McCain—my family, and many friends who became like family to me. Their encouragement and support helped shape this chapter of my life. More than anything, this experience taught me that it does not matter how you start as long as you have a clear goal and continue working toward it. You do not have to have everything figured out at once. It also taught me the importance of staying humble and grateful throughout the journey. One Bible verse that inspires me is Psalm 113:7-8: ‘He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people.’ “
Petit, who last week was named the University’s Outstanding Student in Accounting for 2025-26, is also grateful for having secured a job before graduation.
“It feels rewarding and humbling at the same time,” he said. “As an international student and someone whose journey to college was not traditional, there were many moments of uncertainty along the way. Knowing that I have already secured a position before graduating gives me a sense of stability and motivation for the future. More than anything, it reminds me to appreciate how far I have come. This opportunity represents years of hard work, sacrifices, and support from many people who believed in me throughout my journey.”
And the fact that he will turn 30 in July makes all this even more special.
“I will turn 30 on July 19, just a little over two months after graduation, which makes this milestone even more meaningful to me,” he said. ” I’m excited to begin my career in accounting, continue growing professionally, and use what I have learned to make a positive impact wherever I go. As Professor Cogan and McCain always tell me, ‘You’ll do great.’ “
Petit said he would summarize his time as Ozarks as a “journey of growth, resilience, and transformation.”
“My path was not always easy, but it was meaningful,” he said. “It took time for me to realize that God had a much bigger plan for my life, but I had to pass through there. I came to college with big dreams, many responsibilities, and a strong desire to create a better future for myself, my family, and my community. At Ozarks, I not only earned an education, but I also built relationships, discovered new opportunities, and learned more about myself. This University gave me the chance to grow academically, professionally, and personally through classes, work-study experiences, internships, and the support of professors, staff, and friends. As an international student whose first language is not English. and not even my second language, I am proud of how much I have developed during my time at Ozarks. Looking back, I feel grateful for every challenge and every person who helped me along the way. Ozarks became more than just a university to me; it became an important chapter in my life story that will carry with me wherever I go.”
Topics: Accounting