Meet Kunle Oguneye

Meet Kunle Oguneye, a Mortar Board from Valparaiso University. He is pictured above at the 2010 Mortar Board National Conference, where he received the prestigious Mortar Board Alumni Achievement Award.

Home: Renton, Washington

Education: B.A., Electrical Engineering, Valparaiso University

Mortar Board chapter: Gown & Gavel, Valparaiso University, 1996

Favorite Mortar Board moment: Addressing Mortar Board members at the National Conference 

Major student activities: I was on the board of the Valparaiso International Students Association for two years. 

Profession: Information technology professional, author, volunteer, entrepreneur with a cause

Occupational title: Senior Product Development Engineer

Most recent achievements: Founded Digital Aid, Inc., a nonprofit devoted to furnishing computers to schools in Africa; formed Blue Brush Media to provide entertainment and literature to black children; founded the Seattle chapter of The African Network; served on the board of the African Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest; and have received numerous awards for my first children’s book, Sikulu and Harambe by the Zambezi River: An African version of the Good Samaritan Story

What you have done, would like to do, or already do that no one but you knows about:  My retirement plan is to own a jazz club and invite the best known and unknown jazz players to perform.

Hobby: Reading, tennis, travel

Last book(s) read: The Nigeria - Biafra War Letters: A Soldier’s Story by Benjamin Adekunle

Most-used web site(s): LinkedIn.com

Five adjectives that describe you: Gregarious, funny, determined, unpredictable, dependable

How your college experience changed your life: I never expected to leave Nigeria and study in the United States.  At Valparaiso University, I was exposed to students and teachers from a variety of nationalities.  The diversity of thought was enlightening.  I learned that I could be an agent for change.  Indeed, I came to understand that I have a responsibility to be the change that I want to see.  

Your favorite organization: Mortar Board, because of the impact is has on the lives of young people. Mortar Board encourages its members to consider their opportunity and duty to help improve their societies.