Support during his undergraduate years made all the difference for alumni award winner

The Binghamton University Alumni Association annually honors alumni who have graduated within the last 10 years, demonstrated a very high level of career achievement since leaving campus, and show great potential for future leadership.

Two of this year’s BOLD (Bearcats of the Last Decade) 10 Under 10 Award winners are alumni of the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science. We asked them to tell us how Watson influenced their career paths. (Read about Watson’s other 2024 winner, George Lourentzatos ’12, MS ’15.)

The BOLD 10 Under 10 recipient deemed to have made the strongest impact through his or her endeavors will be awarded the Lois B. DeFleur Distinguished Young Alumni Award. The DeFleur honoree will be revealed at a May 1 ceremony in New York City.

Gabriel Osei ’21, an Educational Opportunity Program alumnus, earned his degree in mechanical engineering. At Binghamton, he was a prominent figure in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Over five years, he served in various capacities, ascending to vice president after holding roles such as membership chair and pre-collegiate initiative chair. Osei’s impact extended beyond the University as he established the NSBE Junior PCI chapter at Johnson City’s high school and middle school, promoting STEM awareness and engagement among minority and economically disadvantaged students.

His leadership was instrumental in increasing NSBE membership at Binghamton University chapter by 45%. Additionally, he co-founded the BU Breakers, a breakdancing club that provided a platform for students to express themselves through dance.

Osei’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to play a pivotal role in the early stages of Valhalla Prosthetics, a startup/nonprofit he helped pioneer. As a lead mechanical engineer, he spearheaded the development of 3D-printed affordable prosthetic extremities tailored for veterans and diabetic patients. He is a mechanical design engineer at Belden Inc. and a fellow in Venture For America, an entrepreneurship fellowship that aligns with his mission of supporting and promoting financial literacy and freedom through entrepreneurship. Beyond his professional pursuits, Osei finds joy in training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is a member of Toastmasters.

Q: What is it like receiving an award like this?

A: I was honestly shocked. It came completely out of the blue. One day, while at work, I was checking my email when a notification popped up on my screen. I couldn’t believe it. Nevertheless, I felt immensely honored and grateful, especially when I saw the list of past award recipients. It’s truly humbling to be in such esteemed company.

Q: How do you think your time at Watson set you up for success?

A: Watson served as the crucible where my fighting spirit was not only tested but also forged. It was there that I honed my ability to learn, discovering my preferred style of learning. Additionally, Watson provided a platform for me to revisit and reinforce my understanding of life’s lessons, particularly in navigating setbacks and challenges.

Q: Which Watson class or professor changed the way you thought about your area of study?

A: WSTN 101 – Engineering Communication I, which was the first engineering class I took/ seat in. I always had a general sense of what engineering was and what engineers did, but the depth of knowledge I gained here surpassed my expectations and ignited a newfound passion within me. Exposed to diverse engineering avenues, I found myself drawn further toward my aspiration of becoming an engineer. It was within these class walls that I sampled various engineering paths, lead me to making the decision to major in mechanical engineering.

I’ve had the privilege of encountering numerous professors at Binghamton University who have significantly shaped my thinking and trajectory. It wouldn’t do justice to mention just one. I’d like to extend a special acknowledgment to several professors who have profoundly influenced my approach to professionalism, career development and engineering: Kirill Zaychik, Paul R. Chiarot, Colin B. Selleck and Michael Elmore. Additionally, I want to express deep gratitude to Erik Colon, who served as one of my academic counselors in the Education Opportunity Program (EOP) before his passing. Erik recognized my passion for engineering and played a pivotal role in facilitating my admission into the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science

Q: What are some of your favorite memories from your time here at Binghamton?

A: LNG 102 – LNG 102 (a classroom located in the confusing Bartle undergrounds) — or, as other students refer to it, “the trenches” — was and is a hub where engineering students converge, whether to procrastinate, hastily cram notes or simply share a laugh at the daunting workload looming over them. Within its walls, amid the cacophony of stressed sighs and occasional chuckles, bonds are forged over shared experiences of grappling with challenging coursework, enduring low test averages and wrestling with the seemingly endless stream of demanding assignments. If you know, you know.

A huge shoutout to the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), where I forged many lifelong friendships. It was here that I had the chance to collaborate, study and persevere alongside like-minded individuals and fellow students, sharing moments of both joy and struggle. Together, we made a positive impact not only within the community of students of color but also within the broader Binghamton community.

The Educational Opportunity program (EOP) has been a huge part of my collegiate and professional success, from the first time I stepped on campus during BEP 2016 summer (the Binghamton Enrichment Program prepares EOP students for the challenges of college study before their first year so that they can successfully transition into Binghamton University) to triumphant walk across the graduation stage, EOP has been an unwavering source of support. Throughout my time at Binghamton, EOP and its exceptional staff and counselors provided me with a nurturing environment where I could thrive academically and personally. They offered not just guidance but also a safe space for growth, study and the opportunity to embrace vulnerability. I distinctly remember moments when I sought solace in my counselor’s office, shedding tears over the daunting decisions inherent in pursuing an engineering path. Yet, through every challenge and triumph, EOP stood steadfast by my side, offering encouragement and assistance at every turn.

Q: What advice would you give to current Watson students?

A: My advice to Watson students and any student reading this would be:

Bad grades in classes or a couple of bad test scores will not break you or doom you to a life of failure. Your GPA does not define your success. Engineering is hard, and college is hard. Cut yourself some slack — besides, setbacks could be assets if you leverage them and use them as a learning experience.

Strive to gather experiences, whether it’s through internships, involvement in student organizations or participating in one-time events. Having a 4.0 GPA is cool (I guess), but experiences speak louder. They make you more marketable to potential stakeholders and give you a good story to tell others, but most of all they afford you the opportunity to learn more about yourself and delve deeper into self-discovery.

Have fun! Enjoy the journey — it is not only about the destination. If you don’t enjoy the journey and process you might not make it to the destination at all. So enjoy life and the journey, and make cherished memories that you can look back on.