Brian Onyekachi Otuonye Scholarship established at Tennessee Technological University

The Brian Onyekachi Otuonye Scholarship has been established at Tennessee Technological University. The scholarship honors the memory of late alumnus Brian Onyekachi Otuonye, who earned both a bachelor's and master's degree from the university’s College of Business. Otuonye later earned an MBA from DeVry University's Keller School of Management. He passed away on August 4, 2018.

According to an article on Tennessee Tech’s website, College of Business professor Bob Wood was quoted as saying of Otuonye, "Brian was one of those students you cannot forget. In addition to being very good in the classroom, he was liked by everyone, and everyone was his friend. Brian took part in a short-term study abroad course to Europe that I was fortunate to lead. He was warmly embraced by all he met. Given his height, his beaming smile and sartorial style, he was often initially mistaken for an NBA star by the locals; when their error was discovered, it didn't change anything. He was surrounded by his newfound friends constantly. His presence is missed by all those who were fortunate to know him."

The scholarship has been established to assist students who are pursuing a degree in finance, which was Otuonye’s field of study. He chose to study finance because he was interested in wealth management. Throughout his professional career, he worked in logistics and forensic-related fields.

Brian’s father, Francis Otuonye, was the associate vice president for research and professor of civil and environmental engineering at Tech, which helped Brian decide to attend the university, as well as the number of friends he had who chose to attend Tennessee Tech, as well. Francis spoke of his son’s many wonderful qualities, including his willingness to help. A family friend’s wife was having a medical emergency, and Brian came to her aid.

Francis said, "He told us, 'Without Brian, my wife would have died.’ That was one of the most moving stories I've ever heard about Brian. Brian had so many friends. I run into people all the time and they say, 'Are you Brian's dad?' and I think, 'Brian, how did you know all of these people?!' He had this personality that was just infectious. If he said something, everyone would crack up laughing. That's one of the things we miss the most."

One of Brian’s friends, alumnus John Boots, said, "When I think of college life as a whole at Tech, I think of Brian Otuonye. He was physically larger than life with a matching personality that filled every room he entered with happiness and humor. He brought an incredible social presence to campus and managed to be an exemplary student at the same time. The creation of this scholarship is a testament to his legacy and the way he shaped life on campus — then and now."

Another friend and alumnus Craft Hayes said, “Brian was the kind of person people remembered — not just because of his talent and drive, but because of the way he treated others. He had a gift for building real relationships, making people laugh and showing up for the people around him. This scholarship is a meaningful way to carry forward the impact he had on his friends, colleagues and community."

The Brian Onyekachi Otuonye Scholarship will honor his memory, and pay it forward, as Brian was the recipient of a scholarship during his time at Tennessee Tech: Eldon Leslie Business Administration Scholarship.

The Otuonye family said, "We hope this scholarship helps ease the financial burden of earning a degree. Our wish for the scholarship recipients is that they have the opportunity to grow academically, socially and spiritually because of their time at Tennessee Tech."

The Brian Onyekachi Otuonye Scholarship is especially meaningful to the Otuonye family because it includes his middle name, which means "no one is greater than God.” Francis notes that this will bring the family comfort, having his name live on in his memory.

For more information about Tennessee Tech, visit the school’s website.