DAYTON, Ohio — Joseph Boateng knew nothing about the University of Dayton before he applied to be a student there four years ago.
The 22-year-old grew up in Columbus and envisioned attending The Ohio State University or somewhere closer to “his own backyard.” But he developed cold feet about the prospect of attending a bigger university out of high school. A first-generation college student, Boateng thought he’d benefit from the support system in place at a smaller school.
UD was “just one of the schools that popped up” during a Google search, Boateng recalled. He found the school after the application process for the 2019 fall semester had already closed. A staff member in the Flyer Student Services office encouraged him to apply anyhow, he said.
Now, after dozens of classes, hang-out sessions on the Art Street steps, Flyers basketball games and a fair amount of monster cookies from Marycrest Hall, Boateng is ready to say goodbye to his adopted city.
On Sunday morning, Boateng and his classmates will walk across the stage at University of Dayton Arena and shake the hand of President Eric Spina, possibly for the last time.
UD is conferring a school record 1,600 undergraduate degrees this term.
What You Need To Know
- Joseph Boateng is one of roughly 1,600 University of Dayton undergraduate students set to receive their degree this weekend
- Boateng, 22, didn't know much about UD before picking the school, but he described it as the "best accident" he could have made
- UD is hosting undergraduate and graduate degree ceremonies all weekend at University of Dayton Arena
“It’s the best accident that could have ever happened to me,” said Boateng, who’s graduating with a bachelor’s in health science. He’s returning home to Columbus this fall to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy at OSU.
“I didn’t have any of those expectations coming in because I basically chose UD by luck,” he added. “For it to have brought me to where I am today is unimaginable.”
Boateng described the last four years as “quite the journey.” When he arrived in Aug. 2019, he didn’t know anyone. He didn’t see the campus in person until he moved into his dorm.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be so beautiful,” he recalled thinking of the campus just south of downtown. “It was so walkable. Everyone was nice and said hi everywhere I went. It felt like home.”
Making friends was easy at first, and he was doing well in school. But things took a significant turn toward the end of his second semester with the emergence of COVID-19.
The last day of in-person classes at UD was March 11, 2020. Boateng’s 19th birthday was the following day.
“My flat-mates threw me a little birthday party right before we got sent home because we didn’t know how long they’d be away,” he recalled. He still has a video on his phone from when they came into his dorm room with a cupcake and sang an “awesome version of Happy Birthday.”
UD students could return to campus the following fall, but things weren’t totally the same. Boateng got to see his friends again. However, classes were almost entirely online, and there were still a lot of restrictions.
That time in his life was rough, he admitted, but he said going through it made him a better student by forcing him to become more independent and confident in his studies.
Boateng is the first to admit, though, that he couldn’t have done it alone. He praised UD’s “strong community” of teachers, mentors and support staff. He specifically mentioned Lisa Warren, who works in Career Services, who helped him overcome the academic-related struggles caused by the pandemic.
“She’s one of the most positive people I’ve ever met,” Boateng said.
Jason Reinoehl, UD’s vice president for strategic enrollment management, said the school aims to create an educational environment that leaves students “well positioned to find success post-graduation, whether it be a job, pursuing a graduate degree or participating in a service program.”
The school’s most recent survey of graduates from Aug. and Dec. 2021 and May 2022 shows a 98% success rate and a 10.5% jump in average salary, Reinoehl said.
At UD, “success” means being employed, pursuing a graduate degree, or taking part in a service program within six months of earning their degree, according to Jason Eckert, executive director of UD career services.
Undergraduate students aren’t the only ones getting the chance to walk across the stage this weekend. UD is conferring about 900 law degrees, graduate degrees and doctorates on Saturday.
Siblings Gabe and Tashana Brown are graduating from an online doctorate program the school offers in education.
“It was such a journey,” said Tashana, a third-grade teacher at Notre Dame Elementary in Portsmouth, Ohio.
Tashana and her older brother said they’re especially proud of their achievements, considering they were told during high school that they “weren’t college material.”
“I wanted to show myself, my kids and many of the first-generation students I work with now that I can do it, especially as a first-generation student myself,” Tashana added. “It’s an incredible feeling.”
The Browns’ ceremony starts at 12:45 p.m. Saturday.
“The support UD faculty and staff gave us, we couldn’t have done it without them,” Tashana said.
Boateng estimated that 15 or more friends and family would make the trek down State Route 4 from Columbus on Sunday. It’s going to be especially emotional for his father and three sisters, he said. They moved to Ohio from Ghana, Africa, when Boateng was 9.
“It’s a big deal for them,” Boateng said.
Boateng admitted to “not being much of a crier,” but he knows this weekend will be emotional for many reasons. He’s been involved in a lot during his unexpected time in Dayton, from academic clubs to being a student mentor. He was also a member of the African Student Association.
One of the things he’ll miss most about living in UD’s student neighborhood — a cluster of student housing — was it introduced him to friends he’s going to have for the rest of his life, he said. He fondly recalled the “really deep conversations” between him and his friends.
“Just being able to live next door to some of my best friends was something I’ll never forget — and I’m sure there’s never going to be a point in life where I’ll have something like that again,” he said.
While he’s upset about leaving, Boateng couldn’t be more excited about the next “step in life.” After all, he’s bringing “foundations and values” he developed in Dayton. He’s got a fair share of memories as well.
“Thank goodness for that nice admissions offer convinced me to apply, or I’d never have gotten to experience this place,” Boateng said.