WD
Wilson Darko
  • electrical engineering technology
  • Class of 2019
  • Philadelphia, PA

Wilson Darko to receive Bruce R. James '64 Award

2017 May 3

Wilson Darko, a fifth-year electrical engineering technology student from Bronx, N.Y., will receive the 2017 Bruce R. James Award.

The Bruce R. James '64 Award was named after James, chair emeritus of the RIT Board of Trustees. The award recognizes a student for exemplary public service within RIT and/or the wider Rochester community. Its purpose is to highlight one of RIT's own hidden heroes while also encouraging other students to engage in public service.

Darko currently serves as chapter president for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. - Mu Sigma Chapter, participating in the Alpha Mentor Program, which helps to develop future leaders academically, socially and professionally. Among the various programs that he has organized is Project Discovery, a college preparatory event for dozens of Rochester City School District high school juniors and seniors, including some of whom now attend RIT. He served as Unity House club president, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) fundraising chair, Gray Matter committee representative and was a member of the first cohort of Men of Color, Honor and Ambition (MOCHA). He is a McNair Scholar, an Multicultural Center for Academic Success Scholar and has been involved with the Stand Strong & United initiative, serving as an adviser to the students who organized the campus event which connected students, faculty and staff with the law enforcement officers who serve them.

Darko learned the importance of public service early on in life. "My dad is a pastor and both of my parents have always stressed service and having a positive impact on communities," he said. He also recalled a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" Darko said: "That is a quote I heard when I was really young and it stuck with me for most of my life."

Much of Darko's volunteer work focuses on mentoring his fellow students and prospective students. "There have been a lot of positive opportunities I've been offered, people who have shown me kindness, and I've had the ability to go to college, which I know many don't get. I recognize that someone else helped me get here. It only serves me right to pass on positive experiences to the next person."

He will donate the $1,000 he earned from the award to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program, which his fraternity has partnered with on events such as the annual Bowling for Kids fundraiser.

Darko's main wish is that those he has helped pay it forward. "I charge anyone I have interacted with to pass it on. Whatever you have that can help the next person succeed, spread that. None of us are on an island, we all had people hold us up when we were young."