Georgia Southern graduate bound for Harvard School of Dental Medicine

May 20, 2025

Hard work and a willingness to embrace new experiences at Georgia Southern University have paved the way to Harvard University for Spring 2025 Commencement graduate Eric Njoroge. This fall, he will begin his studies at Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston, an achievement he credits to his transformative undergraduate experience.

“Coming to Georgia Southern, I definitely had the goal to venture beyond my comfort zone, but the extent of my involvement surpassed all my expectations,” Njoroge acknowledged. “I was not that involved in high school, but Georgia Southern provided me with countless opportunities to learn and push myself.”

Growing up near Atlanta, the son of Kenyan immigrants decided to earn his college degree at an institution in Georgia. 

“What first made Georgia Southern stand out was its location,” Njoroge explained. “It was the furthest from home, which pushed me to do some deeper research. That’s when I discovered a community-oriented campus focused on providing many opportunities for students to grow.”

Though initially considering engineering, Njoroge’s childhood interest in that field eventually evolved into a genuine appreciation for the healing arts.

“When I arrived at Georgia Southern, I knew I liked health care, but my passion for dentistry began after volunteering in a free dental clinic during my first year,” he recounted. “While volunteering, I saw patients come in with pain from toothaches or insecurities about visible cavities. But many times, all it took was an extraction or filling to uplift the spirits of these patients and restore their smiles.”

As a biology major, Njoroge credits the faculty within the College of Science and Mathematics for equipping him with a robust foundation in STEM, which was crucial for his competitive score on the Dental Admission Test.

“Many of my professors were so helpful and supportive, and even with the rigorous nature of STEM classes, they made the subjects enjoyable,” he noted. “In addition, during my Harvard interview, I received a lot of praise for my extracurricular activities at Georgia Southern.”

Driven to challenge himself, Njoroge engaged in numerous facets of university life. He was a student in the Honors College, found camaraderie in a fraternity and led two student organizations as president: the Georgia Southern Pre-Dental Society and Resourceful Ambassadors of Medicine, an initiative he co-founded with his peers.

“I’ve been fortunate to dedicate my time outside of class doing things that are both meaningful and fulfilling,” he revealed. “It’s been rewarding to watch Resourceful Ambassadors of Medicine grow into a space that engages many pre-health students in different opportunities throughout the Statesboro community. … I never participated in a leadership position in high school, so obtaining two presidential positions in college has been shocking.”

Njoroge is leaving Georgia Southern with deep gratitude and experiences to last a lifetime.

“I have learned many life lessons from different people here at Georgia Southern that I would not have gotten had I not attended,” he shared. “Because of the countless people I interacted with here, this school will forever hold a special place in my heart.”

As he prepares for his move to Boston, Njoroge expresses appreciation for the unwavering support of his parents. 

“My parents could not be happier,” he commented. “As my greatest supporters, they have always encouraged me to value education to make a better life for myself. Graduating from college just shows them that I continue to believe in that idea.”