Connecting to Communities, Opportunities, and Friends For Life

Martin Jr. Ketcha ’23, a biological chemistry and pre-med student from Cameroon, remembers coming to Grinnell and feeling overwhelmed and nervous about the many possibilities ahead of him.

“It feels like yesterday that I was moving into Rathje Hall first year,” he recalls. “Time definitely flies, so it’s important to use the resources available to put yourself in a position to succeed whether personally, academically, or professionally. The experience can be challenging, but fear should never be the brick wall that impedes you from trying new things that challenge you.”

One of the most meaningful things that Ketcha did in his first year was joining the African Caribbean Student Union (ACSU). The group allowed him to meet and bond with students from similar backgrounds, which helped him navigate the complexities of life at Grinnell. 

“I feel a sense of home by participating in the ACSU,” says Ketcha. “Being far away in rural Iowa can be isolating, so the group provides the necessary space to come together and celebrate our culture in diverse ways. It has also helped me realize and take advantage of some of the resources Grinnell offers to students.”

In addition to helping students navigate Grinnell in the ways most beneficial to their personal and academic growth, Ketcha says the group is important for its contributions to the diversity and culture of the College and for being a place where members can explore and reinforce their own identities as well. 

“It not only provided an opportunity to readjust the type of environment and atmosphere I would want for my future education,” he says. “It gave me the chance to meet amazing people who became an important part of my college journey.“

Onyin Onuegbu ’23, a religious studies and biological chemistry major from Nigeria, knew when she came to Grinnell that it would be important to engage in the different communities that comprise the College, while also staying connected with her own culture. 

“I wanted to be connected to my people,” she says. “The ACSU provided me the opportunity to do that during my first year and in the years that have followed.”

She describes the organization as a safe place to engage with others from similar backgrounds and outside of the academic umbrella, a place where they feel free to share personal experiences and discuss the cultural and social issues faced by Africans in the United States.

“It is important that participants appreciate their own culture and other cultures and be aware of their importance to the Grinnell community,” says Onuegbu. “It’s so important to have a sense of belonging in a community that is filled with so much diversity. The ACSU has filled that role for me, and it is where I have met my best friends for life.”