Paul Aboagye’s service-oriented attitude developed at an early age.
“Growing up, my parents told me it is more important to give back than to receive,” Aboagye explained.
Years later, his desire to serve blossomed at Radford University when he answered the call to volunteer during the 2019 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, an annual campus-wide event that honors the late minister and influential activist through volunteerism.
“I knew this would be an opportunity to help our society and to help our community,” said Aboagye, a senior computer science major from Alexandria. “Giving back, it makes me happy.”
On Jan. 21, Aboagye joined more than 350 Radford University students, faculty and staff during the MLK Jr. Day of Service to volunteer across the New River and Roanoke valleys. Aboagye and his group volunteered at the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program Thrift Store.
That night, he attended the MLK Commemorative Program at which he learned he was the winner of the inaugural MLK Day of Service Award that honors a student for their dedication to the community, the classroom and others.
“I was very surprised,” Aboagye. “It felt good to win the first award. It was a great experience.”
Center for Diversity and Inclusion Director La Shan Lovelace said Aboagye was very deserving of the award, one that also recognizes a student’s upstanding academic and conduct standing.
“Paul is just a very kind and giving person of sound character,” Lovelace said. “He participates in several organizations and uses volunteer work as a platform to mentor others and make impactful change in the community. When you talk about the phrase, ‘holistic development,’ he fits that mold.”
Aboagye is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Upsilon Pi Epsilon, a national computer science honor society.
In addition to his involvement in extracurricular activities, Aboagye is very invested in his academics. He has an excellent GPA and aspirations to attend graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in computer network security analysis upon graduating from Radford University this fall 2019. He hopes to one day work for a private company or the government, he said.
Aboagye said he has had an amazing experience at Radford University. He credits several professors in Radford University’s Department of Information Technology, friends and mentors for pushing him to be a better student, person and volunteer.
“I have met so many great people here,” Aboagye said. “They have guided me through my academics and helped me manage my time. I have socialized and met so many new and wonderful people.”
Mary Hardbarger, Radford University
