Diego Alejandro Urrego

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“I always looked at the positive and negative things in my life as a source of motivation and guidance in the decisions I made. Fortunately, at every hurdle I encountered, I seemed to come across something or someone that would positively influence me and encourage me to continue my path. Through hard work and perseverance I became the first person in my family to graduate from college and this year I will be the first to attend a graduate program.”

  • Program: 2009 Graduate Scholarship Recipient
  • Resides: New York, NY
  • Hometown: Ontario, California
  • Age: 27

Biography

PROFILE: The year was 1986 and it seemed like it was four-year-old Diego Urrego and his mother vs. The World.  The pair had just arrived in Southern California from their native Colombia.  His mother left South America for the US in an effort to try to make a better life for little Diego and for herself. Together they embarked on a journey in this strange land with an unfamiliar language and customs. The journey is still in progress for Diego, and along the way there have been honors bestowed upon him in junior college, then at Cal Poly, Pomona as well as a year abroad studying architecture in Italy. The next stop in Diego’s journey is the Graduate School of Architecture at Columbia University. He owes much to his mom’s hard work and her belief in him. “My mother constantly emphasized the need to do well in school so I could attend college one day. This constant reminder became the foundation of my need to always give my best and excel.”

INSPIRATION: The teacher who had the most influence on Diego is Alexander Ortenberg of Cal Poly. “From day one, he astonished me with his knowledge of architecture and helpful insight in design. He constantly opened my eyes to new ideas and perspectives. On a personal level, he gave me advice about my future plans and where to take my education.”
 
ASPIRATION: After graduate school at Columbia, Diego hopes to complete an Intern Development Program at an architectural firm. He said he is interested in practicing architecture that has minimal impact on the environment, “one which promotes better living for the community while pushing the boundaries of contemporary design and technology.” 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Up to this point the achievement that Diego is most proud of is having graduated from Cal Poly with a five year degree in architecture and excelling throughout. “It wasn't an easy task becoming the first person in my family to have graduated from college. Even though many times I felt like I didn't have the guidance I would have wanted to have in my education, I always managed to succeed. Today I am proud of how far I have made it.” 

ACCOLADES: In addition to graduating with honors, Diego was a three-time winner of Awards of Excellence at Cal Poly. In 2008, he won for his senior thesis and in both 2005 and 2006 for his design studio work.

INTERESTING FACT: Diego has gone skydiving - twice. 

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