Indiana 15-year-old will be youngest college grad in state's history
- Khaya Njumbe started his degree when he was 12 and will finish on Wednesday
- Aged 15, he will be the first in his family to graduate from college
A 15-year-old is set to become the youngest college graduate in Indiana after earning a bachelor’s degree on top of three associate degrees.
Khaya Njumbe will receive his degree in general studies from Indiana University Northwest on Wednesday.
He already has three associate degrees in biology, liberal arts and general studies and is an accomplished pianist, linguist and sportsman.
As well as becoming the youngest graduate in the state, Njumbe will be the first in his family to graduate from college, he told WGN: ‘I know it’s a pretty big accomplishment.’
He started studying at Indiana University Northwest when he was 12 while also completing his high school diploma at the 21st Century Charter School.
Khaya Njumbe will receive his bachelor’s degree in general studies from Indiana University Northwest on May 8
Njumbe’s parents realized his potential at a very young age.
When he was 13 months old he started reading flashcards and over the next few years he taught himself piano.
He also taught himself Chinese after watching Bruce Lee movies.
He told WGN9: ‘When I was about 7, that’s when my mom officially sent me to a Chinese school, but before then I was already trying to teach myself.’
When he was four, his parents enrolled him in a specialist reading camp at Indiana University Northwest.
While studying at the 21st Century Charter School, Njumbe has been completing associate degrees at the university on the side, starting when he was just 12.
He now has three associate degrees in biology, liberal arts and general studies.
He will gain his bachelor’s degree on May 8, and will become the state’s youngest university graduate.
Along with his academic achievements, Njumbe is a member of the tumbling team and a black belt in Taekwondo.
When he’s not working or practicing, he likes to play video games and basketball.
He also taught himself Chinese after watching Bruce Lee movies
When he was 13 months old he started reading flashcards and over the next few years he taught himself piano
His dream is to study medicine, but child labor laws in the state mean he cannot enroll in medical school until he is 18.
In the meantime, he plans to earn a master’s degree.
One of his teachers, Jack Bloom, said he hasn’t come across another student like Njumbe in 45 years teaching at the university.
He told WGN9: ‘You can count on him. He is a serious student. He does the reading. He produces great work.’
A teacher at his school, Theresa Canady, added: ‘I see him doing exactly what he wants to do and more. The sky is the limit for him.’
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