Scholars in the Arts
"I am fascinated by the breadth of Art History and by how painting teaches a culture about itself."
Scholars Around the World
Two JKCF Scholars organize a 15-day study tour to Bolivia to explore the country’s political economy, peoples and rural development
Modupe O Adepoju
“When I think about how I could enrich a college community, well, I just think about all the other Spanish-speaking European Nigerian-American females applying and wonder what their answer might be.”
- Program: 2008 College Scholarship Recipient
- Resides: Laurel, MD
- Hometown: London, England
- Age: 17
- Four-year College or University: Duke University
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Architecture, Engineering, Languages, Psychology / Therapy
Biography
HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUNG SCHOLAR EXPERIENCE: Modupe’s experiences have ranged from architecture courses at Clemson University and a chemistry course at Siena College to American Sign Language and percussion and movement classes at Yale University. She also enjoys taking hip hop and jazz lessons at a Washington, DC dance studio.
PROFILE: Modupe considers herself Nigerian, not born, but bred. Her name is a cry of thanks in her mother’s native tongue. Every first Sunday of the month she dons the traditional iro and buba, a blouse and cloth worn by many Nigerian women. Modupe says one of her biggest obstacles was moving to the United States nine years ago. “When I first came to the US, I was very young and was not very accepted by the other children. But over time, I was able to become comfortable with a new culture, while sharing my own.”
INSPIRATION: Modupe lives in a single parent household and credits her mother as a major influence. “My mother has always been a constant source of encouragement. She stressed the importance of getting an education before I even started school, and instilled in me a drive to succeed.” She refers to her Jack Kent Cooke educational adviser as a second mother, “because that’s how much she cares.”
ASPIRATION: Modupe hopes to become a civil engineer or architect. In 2006, at a two week architecture enrichment program at Clemson University, she learned to draw floor plans and design and construct a one-story ranch home.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Modupe founded her high school’s first writing club and served as its President. She is the Community Service Coordinator for Alpha Kappa Lambda, a sisterhood dedicated to community service. During one winter break she volunteered at a homeless shelter.
ACCOLADES: Modupe was a Semifinalist in the National Achievement academic competition for outstanding Black American high school students. She received the Maryland Distinguished Scholar Honorable Mention and was named a top achiever by The Washington Post. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society.
INTERESTING FACT: She speaks Ubbi-Dubbi (aka Pig Greek or Double Dutch).
Other Scholars Like Modupe
Jessica Clement
Undergraduate Transfer Scholar
Texas A & M University
Rachel Love
College Scholar
Johns Hopkins University
Nikhit D'Sa
Graduate Scholar
Columbia University
Molly Christian
College Scholar
Barnard College