FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2008
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124

MUW graduates to continue their studies at Harvard and Johns Hopkins

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Bolanle Bukoye won’t deliver the commencement
address at Mississippi University for Women, but she does have some
advice for other students who will follow in her footsteps: take advantage of the time you have with your professors.

Tomorrow, Bukoye will receive a diploma for completing her studies in
biology along with another outstanding student in the Department of Science and Mathematics, Jahnavi Chatterjee, a biology and chemistry
major.

Bukoye, an international student from Nigeria, will further her studies at Harvard University in population and international health, while Chatterjee, who is from India, is bound for Johns Hopkins University to continue her studies in biochemistry and molecular biology in the master of health sciences program.

Both look forward to the challenge and feel MUW has prepared them well
for this next stage in their lives.

Bukoye said, “Academically, I fell I am ready to venture into a higher level of learning. During my first few years at MUW, I was worried that being such a small school, MUW might not be competitive enough to prepare me for my future career. My fears subsided when I participated in summer internships and met with students from other prestigious universities. I was able to cope with the challenges on the same level as other students.”

Chatterjee said her science and math classes were thorough and enlightening.

“The knowledge gained in these classes has prepared me to pursue any
kind of career in my field. My initial plan was to major in biology and go to medical school. Even though that plan is still valid, I feel classes at The W have opened up more career options for me. The foundation laid by the classes here also makes me feel prepared to pursue a full-fledged career in research or even work full-time in a laboratory setting as a research assistant,” she said.

Bukoye added that MUW faculty members are remarkable.

“I was initially shocked at the open door policy observed by several of my professors. They are always willing to help and provide me with knowledgeable advice. It is extremely important to me that most of my
professors not only care about my academic progress but about my total
well-being and that has always been a source of encouragement to me,”
she said. “More than once, my chemistry professor invited me to have Thanksgiving dinner at her house. For an international student, that type of gesture is unforgettable.”

Chatterjee said she found the campus community welcoming.

“The classes were small and faculty was really accessible. Before I came to The W, I was thinking more like an auditorium full of students, but this was a pleasant surprise. And, although I was initially intimidated by a few professors, they actually turned out wonderful.

“Most of my teachers were very enthusiastic about teaching and that got me interested in the subjects too, even if some of them were not my in my major. Especially the faculty members in the science and math department have been truly helpful. They have always been eager to guide me not only in my classes but also in my future decisions about my career,” she said.

Bukoye was accepted to Brown, Emory, Johns Hopkins, the University of
Minnesota, Boston University and Ohio State University, but chose Harvard based on its multi-disciplinary approach to the study of public health.

“The department of Population and International Health at Harvard will provide me an opportunity to participate in several research projects dedicated to combating global health problems using qualitative and quantitative methods and investigating policies that impact health policies. These research opportunities serve to advance scientific discovery all over the world,” said Bukoye.

Chatterjee also was accepted to Rosalind Franklin University in Chicago.

“Apart from its brilliant reputation, the program at Johns Hopkins opened up several options for me. Also, the program is conducted by the School of Public Health and is very flexible. I will be able to take classes apart from the curriculum so I can get more exposure in the field of public health. It will be a helpful addition to whatever career I choose after the master’s program.”

Both plan to pursue medical degrees.

Bukoye encouraged other students to continue to work hard and be dedicated to achieving their goals. “I also encourage them to make good use of the valuable access they have to MUW faculty members,” she said.