Oakland University Graduates Have Big Plans For Future

ROCHESTER (WWJ) - Many college seniors will turn their tassels this weekend and some already have some big plans in their near future.

WWJ's Kathryn Larson caught up with students on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester. There, she met Benjamin Eveslage, who isn't about to graduate with just an International Studies degree.

As the president of Volunteer Africa Inc., Eveslage already has a full plate. In just a few weeks, his organization from Birmingham will start art projects in Nigeria and bring Internet access to students in Ghana.

"We're utilizing resources such as Khan Academy, YouTube and Skype to be able to have online tutors with volunteers here in the U.S.," he said.

Eveslage founded the organization his senior year of high school and after the trip, he said it's off to the London School of Oriental and African Studies for graduate school. Once he graduates there, he said he hopes to bring the program he's implemented abroad right here in metro Detroit.

Another student, 22-year-old Subha Hanif, is already focusing her efforts on the local level. She said she's white coat ready after finding herself helping others off campus.

"I founded this monthly women's health seminars for the women of Hamtramck and Detroit, where we teach about basic primary health care issues like diabetes, nutrition and breast and cervical cancer. I actually do the translations for it, so we can break down those cultural barriers and linguistic barriers," she said.

The Rochester Hills native is about to start medical school at Michigan State University, but her plan isn't to go into private practice -- it's to give back on the national level.

"I would really like to work for the government in the future and go into health policy," she said.