Page 11 - 2019-2020 Endowment Report | University of Rochester

Although Oshunlaja received some support during his
first two years, the financial burden of college was heavy.
That’s when Lance Drummond ’85S (MBA) and his wife,
Hope, stepped in. They had recently established the Ethel V.
Drummond Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship in Business
Administration, and Oshunlaja became their first awardee.
Drummond, who is from Jamaica, set up the scholarship in
honor of his mother. His parents—like Oshunlaja’s—wanted
him to have a better life. When Drummond and his sister were
young, their family came to the U.S., where his mother became Olatunde Oshunlaja and his parents,
Anthony and Olajumoke Oshunlaja,
a nurse’s aide and his father a security guard. with Lance and Hope Drummond at
Olatunde's graduation
“Often, my mother would tell me that the one thing no one “Hope and I want to do
can ever take away from you is your education—it’s what
can equalize your opportunities, shape your life, and create what we can to make
economic independence,” says Drummond, who was a first- education and life better
generation college student and a college scholarship recipient. for others, especially those

who have faced similar
“I see a lot of myself in Olatunde,” Drummond adds. “I am
proud of him—he has a quiet confidence that is already challenges as we have—
starting to reap benefits.” After graduation, Oshunlaja took an people like Ola. For us, it is
internship at Freddie Mac in Arlington, Virginia. After eight about replication. It’s our
weeks, the company hired him as a data analyst in its auditing
department—Oshunlaja’s dream job. He recently moved to wish that they will do the
a new apartment and purchased a new car. He is living the same for others someday.ˮ
American dream.

“Getting this scholarship filled me and LANCE DRUMMOND ’85S (MBA),
my family with a great sense of joy and UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER TRUSTEE

relief,” says Oshunlaja. “Mr. Drummond
has done so much for me, too, beyond the

scholarship support."

"He gives me advice, has gotten to know my family, and
includes me in his life. For instance, last year, he and Mrs.
Drummond invited me to their 40th wedding anniversary
celebration. Mr. Drummond has become my amazing mentor.
Someday, I hope to help others the way he has helped me.”

11