PaSS Student is Featured as DASNR International Student of the Week 2007-03   This weeks International Student of the Week is Solomon Kariuki. He is a Doctoral student in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences and specializes in soil science. He is from Kenya, which is located in Eastern Africa and lives in the city of Nyeri which is in central Kenya. He speaks English, Swahili and his native tribal language Kikuyu. He is a member of the Soil Society of America and when he is not busy conducting research or doing field work he enjoys attending church and sings in the choir. He also likes to play tennis and spend time outside.

Initially Solomon came to the United States on a scholarship to run track here at Oklahoma State University. He ran here for two years and in that time became an All American Track Star in long distance running. He got his Bachelors and Masters degree here in Agricultural Economics and then decided to learn the chemistry aspect of agriculture and decided to get his Doctorate in Plant and Soil Sciences.

His future plans involve him going back to Kenya to do research and teach. Even though he finds America to be a great place to live filled with many opportunities and the chance to do almost anything, Kenya is still home to him. He has nine brothers and sisters that live in Kenya and enjoys spending time with them.

“Never give up, because there are many challenges you will face being in a different country, but it is important to focus on what you want to get out of life,” said Kariuki.

His advisor is Dr. Hailin Zhang

Interview by Taryn Fast