Scholars in the News
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Scholar Spotlight
A prolific writer of poetry and song, Nate is a dynamic speaker and isn't shy about performing in front of an audience.
David K. Kariuki
“I have always had a strong belief in the immeasurable value of higher education.”
- Program: 2008 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Recipient
- Resides: Stanford, CA
- Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
- Age: 25
- Community College: Essex County College
- Four-year College or University: Stanford University
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Arts / Music / Performance, Computing / IT, Engineering, Mathematics, Sciences, Biomedical Computation, Biomechanical Engineering
- Other Interests: Computing / IT, Foreign Languages / International Study, Honor Society, Languages, Nonprofits, Performing Arts / Theatre, Sciences, Tutoring / Mentoring, Volunteer Work, Writing / Journalism
Biography
PROFILE: David Kariuki’s life has been so full of obstacles that he has often had to focus on surviving each day. “When I was orphaned at 13, with no one to look to but my 15-year-old brother, I knew that the only way to escape life as street children was to obtain an education. From then on I have strived to give my best in academics. I was also influenced to pursue a career in the medical field after seeing the plight of AIDS orphans, seeing that my troubles were nothing compared to theirs.”
Although he was born and raised in Zambia, David is Kenyan. A love for education may be in his DNA. His father held a master’s degree, and his mother a bachelor’s. She supported the family on a teacher’s salary after she was widowed. When David and his brother were able to return to high school thanks to family friends who paid the fees, they were so thrilled at the opportunity that they graduated salutatorian and valedictorian, respectively.
INSPIRATION: “My older brother Stephen has always inspired me to persevere and achieve, and he has always set an amazing example by being an achiever himself.”
ASPIRATION: David’s career goal is to obtain a Ph.D. and work as a research scientist developing cures and alternate treatments for diseases like cancer and AIDS. He intends to specialize in genetic, cellular, and tissue engineering.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: David raised $5,000 for the Doctors Without Borders Help Darfur Now campaign and $3,500 for AIDS research in AIDS Walk New York. He has also participated in the Sussex County Women’s Forum Breast Cancer Trail Run and the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour Relay for Life.
ACCOLADES: David received three prestigious awards in 2008: USA Today’s All-USA 1st team member, Guistwhite Scholar, and New Century Scholar. In 2007, he received a best poetry award from Phi Theta Kappa.
INTERESTING FACT: David, who plays classical piano, wanted to learn the instrument so desperately that, at age 11, he created a life-size keyboard out of cardboard on which to practice. In addition to English, he speaks Nyanja, Cewa, Bemba, and Swahili.
Other Scholars Like David
Seth Swingle
College Scholar
University of Chicago
Amy Myers
Graduate Scholar
University of Arizona
Chelsea Allen
Undergraduate Transfer Scholar
Belmont Abbey College
Camiliana Wood
Undergraduate Transfer Scholar
Brigham Young University