Class of 2025: Olanrewaju Oluwaseyi Abayomi
Transfer student Olanrewaju Oluwaseyi Abayomi quickly found his footing on the Hill, getting involved as a peer mentor in the Center for Experience and Opportunity, ambassador in the Admissions Office, and as a resident assistant. Soon enough, his soccer coach, Steve Corrieri, even began calling him “Mr. McDaniel.” He has already put his Computer Science education to work as a summer intern at the Defense Information Systems Agency. Working toward his future, he has enrolled in McDaniel’s five-year B.A.-to-M.S. program in Data Analytics.
"It took me by surprise how nice and kind the people at McDaniel are. When I was moving in after I transferred, one of my floor mates offered to help. Whether it be academically or in other ways, there are always people willing to help."
In his own words ...
When I took my first step on the Hill, I was:
I was a bit lost. I was a transfer student and my first day on campus was when I was moving in, so I quite literally was lost and didn’t know where anything was.
The me who will ring the Old Main bell on Commencement Day is:
Much smarter, stronger, and more well-rounded than the me who came into McDaniel.
Real-world experiences:
Over the summer I had the opportunity to intern at the Defense Information Systems Agency. I had a great experience working there. I was able to put my McDaniel education to good use as I was doing system automation.
My aha moment:
I learned the importance of the relationships you form on campus. Even though McDaniel is a small school, the people are really nice and very interesting. Due to this, I started to go to different events and club meetings which made my time at McDaniel very positive.
Footprints I'm leaving on the Hill:
I want to be remembered as someone who had a positive impact on the lives of others, whether that be the jobs I had on campus or the conversations I had with others.
Faculty or staff member who most influenced who I have become:
Coach Steve Corrieri influenced me a lot because he showed me that there is more to life than just playing soccer. Due to this, I got more involved on campus and became more well-rounded.
Best class ever:
The best class I ever had was my first-year Intro to Sociology class. Lauren Dundes was my professor, and she made the class so fun despite it being at 8 a.m. I was also able to meet two of my friends in that class and I am still friends with them to this day.
Tell us a little about your activities, including sports, during your years at McDaniel:
I played on the McDaniel men’s soccer team from my first year to senior year. I worked at the Center for Experience and Opportunity my junior year as well as being a tour guide for the Admissions Office and a notetaker for Student Accessibility and Success Services. In my senior year, I was the vice president of Africa’s Legacy, a resident assistant, a student worker at the IT Help Desk, and continued to be a tour guide at the Admissions Office.
Took me totally by surprise:
It took me by surprise how nice and kind the people at McDaniel are. When I was moving in after I transferred, one of my floor mates offered to help. Whether it be academically or in other ways, there are always people willing to help.
My favorite spot on campus:
My favorite spot on campus is Hoover Library. I spend a lot of time there. Whether I’m getting homework done or working, the library has always been a place where I can relax, be productive, and even socialize at times.
Most mind-boggling idea I learned at McDaniel:
As basic as it sounds, I learned that you get out what you put in. When I started to do more on campus, I started to learn more and meet new people and as a result I enjoyed college more.
My capstone title:
Smart Cart.
What it’s about in plain talk:
I developed a grocery list app that also has a budget option, allowing the user to save more money and know exactly what they want to get when they go grocery shopping.
What's next:
I am currently in the five-year B.A.-to-M.S. program for Data Analytics at McDaniel, so I plan to get my master’s and enter the workforce.
How will you stay connected to McDaniel?
I plan to stay connected with the friends and faculty that I have met on campus.
If you received financial aid, what did that mean for you and your family?
It meant everything. Due to the financial aid I received at McDaniel, I have been able to attend college way cheaper than the average student, as a result making it easier to focus on my studies. It also took the stress off of my parents worrying about paying for school as well.
Do you have a family member who also went to college on the Hill? What does that family legacy mean to you?
My sister attended grad school at McDaniel. How close she is to the campus was a big reason why I chose to come to McDaniel. It was great having her in Westminster while also figuring out the campus myself. Often, I would go to her house, and we would just catch up.
About Olanrewaju
