This story was originally published by Based in Lafayette
By Dave Bangert
Based in Lafayette
September 12, 2025
Ninety people originally hailing from 32 countries and now living across the northern half of Indiana left White Horse Christian Center Friday afternoon as freshly minted U.S. citizens, encouraged during a naturalization ceremony to sign up to vote and make themselves participants in civic life.
“It has been said that the only title of the American democracy that is superior to the president is the title of citizen,” U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott Frankel said during the annual ceremony in West Lafayette. “That is the title you’ve chosen and that has been bestowed upon you this day. As an American citizen, you have great power. Great power and great responsibility.”
Typically held the day before West Lafayette’s annual Global Fest, the naturalization ceremony moved up a week early to accommodate schedules of the venue and the court, city officials said.
West Lafayette Mayor Erin Easter was among those offering a welcome.
“Your bet on a future in the United States is the same bet placed in the name of prosperity, safety and freedom for nearly 2½ centuries,” Easter said. “In exchange for that safety and freedom, we ask only one thing in return – your participation. We do not rely on kings, queens or dictators to chart our future in the United States. We are uniquely structured and governed by us, the American people. As part of that responsibility, I hope that you leave here today as a registered voter. … You have earned that right to vote, and I hope you use it to participate and create the government of the future that we all want to see continue to keep us safe and prosperous.”
Outside the hall, Matthew Williams, a West Lafayette resident and wireless design engineer at Purdue, was among those new U.S. citizens picking up information about voter registration from the League of Women Voters.
Williams, who was born in Jamaica, came to the United States as a teen with his adopted family. He graduated from Faith Christian High School in 2012 before getting an engineering degree from Purdue. He said paperwork problems in Jamaica made the naturalization process long and drawn out.
“I’m glad it’s over,” Williams said, recounting his thoughts when the judge made things official Friday morning. “It’s hard sometimes, because I feel like I try to ignore all those years, just because it reminds me of stuff it’s taken getting here. But I’m here. And I’m glad.”
Laurence Wang, a member of the West Lafayette school board, told those gathered at White Horse his story of becoming a naturalized citizen a decade ago. He said the ceremony 10 years ago remained one of the most meaningful milestones in his life.
“I still remember the emotion of that day – pride, gratitude and a profound sense of responsibility,” Wang said. “I have come to understand that citizenship is not simply a status, a piece of paper. … Today marks a new beginning. You join the long line of individuals who come from every corner of the world, who have chosen to make the decision that this country will be their own country. Your presence enriches the American story and American dreams, and your future contributions, no matter great or small, will help shape nation we share together.”
Dave Bangert retired after 32 years of reporting and writing on just about everything at the Lafayette Journal & Courier. He started the Based in Lafayette reporting project in 2021. To learn more about subscribing to Based in Lafayette, click here.
