Eyes alert, his headphones dangling around his neck down the front of his blood-red jacket, he looks around his surroundings. His eyes show some fatigue but his smile tells otherwise. It’s a quarter to six on a Wednesday night and he walks across the street preparing to speak in front of a group of his peers. By the time he reaches the building he’s ready to commence the meeting with enthusiasm and leadership in his voice.
It’s been a long day, but University of Oregon senior Godwin Nwando is prepared to lead the general Black Student Union meeting no matter what. Members arrive and the meeting begins.
Nwando juggles various activities at the UO. In addition to being a co-director for the BSU, he’s also the Multi-Cultural Center programs coordinator, assistant administrator teacher assessor coach in ROTC, which requires him to record the grades into the gradebook, a cadet in the National Guard and full-time student.
“You could say I’m a busy guy,” Nwando said.
Originally from San Diego, Nwando chose to enroll at UO for its science program and football team. After graduating this spring with a human physiology degree, Nwando hopes to enroll in medical school and continue serving the organization that got him to UO in the first place: the National Guard.
“The National Guard has been able to make my education a possibility and it’s a great way to make college a reality for many without having to worry about student debt,” Nwando said.
Somehow between coordinating events with other unions, attending National Guard training during weekends and completing his medical terminology homework, Nwando finds time for normal college life. In his free time, he watches football, cheers for the Miami Heat, shoots hoops with his best friend Christopher Désert and hangs out with his girlfriend, junior Noelle Zarnegin.
“Godwin is a crazy basketball fan. He talks about it all the time and anyone can tell he’s really into it,” Désert said. “He’s really goofy and enjoys making people laugh and I couldn’t be more proud of my best friend who has come so far within the last four years. Anything Godwin sets his mind to he will accomplish it.”
Nwando attributes his current success at the UO to the close relationship with his mother.
“I need to highlight the importance of my mother who encouraged me to work hard and not think about distractions. But in college it’s a little difficult to follow through with that,” Nwando said. “My parents knew college was something for me and I look back at how far I have come and I couldn’t be more proud.”
Nwando plans to continue his training from the National Guard in order to improve his medical skills and become a doctor.
“I have a goal and I need to achieve it. I’m in no rush to get out of school,” he said. “I want to do ground work and gain experience so when I do get out to work the field I’m ready.”