Central College History Club Hosts Survivor of Cambodian Killing Fields

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Central College's History Club is hosting a special lecture on April 7th featuring Jimmy Suong, a child survivor of the Khmer Rouge killing fields in Cambodia who later served 30 years in the U.S. military. Suong is respected as an intercultural leader who has worked to support refugee and Asian Pacific Islander communities in Iowa.

Why it matters

Suong's story provides a firsthand account of the Cambodian genocide under the Khmer Rouge, an important historical event that is often overlooked. His subsequent military service and community leadership highlight the resilience and contributions of refugees who have resettled in the U.S.

The details

Suong will share his experiences as a child survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime's killing fields in Cambodia before immigrating to the United States. He later served 30 years in the U.S. military and now works as a senior human resources specialist for the Iowa Army National Guard. Suong is known for his volunteer efforts to support refugee and Asian Pacific Islander communities in Iowa, including serving on the state's Commission of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs.

• The lecture will take place at 11 am on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
• Suong survived the Khmer Rouge killing fields as a child in Cambodia.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The lecture is free and open to the public. Central College encourages all community members to attend and learn from Suong's experiences.