Congratulations are in order for 2016 Cornell University graduate, Iyore
Olaye, who is the Ivy League school’s ONLY black female in the Chemical
Engineer graduating class. Iyore took to her Facebook to pour out her
heart in an essay detailing her experiences.
“The
last few months / year I haven’t felt inclined to post about the
changes I was experiencing in my life. I made a promise to myself that I
would embrace every moment, which meant disconnecting from social media
and connecting more to life.
Three months ago I graduated from one
of the best schools in the world, the greatest engineering program in
the Ivy League, in one of the most rigorous majors at Cornell. There
were moments of defeat and moments of victory through it all. I am
thankful that I had continuous love and encouragement from friends and
family who went out of their way to see me through to my success.
Surrounded by my mother, father, sister, and various loved ones and
friends, I graduated as the only black woman chemical engineer in the
chemE class of 2016 and 1 of 6 black women in the entire engineering
school. This situation reminiscent of 4 years ago when I graduated as
the first black valedictorian of Winslow Township High School. It is God
that allows me to continue to break barriers and smash through glass
ceilings, not just to stand alone but to ensure that others may rise
with me.
Now it is August and I officially reside in San Francisco
working as a product engineer at Walker & Company Brands, a company
that feeds my soul and challenges me to be better engineer and person
each day. Needless to say that God has answered my prayers and continues
to push me past my own expectations. I am unsure what he has planned
for me, but if he did it before he will do it again. I guess that is the
point of my post, by connecting to God and connecting to life I
experience happiness and success. I wish that for all of you as well.”