University Of Delaware: In Memoriam: Babatunde A. Ogunnaike

Wilmington DE

26 February, 2022

10:53 AM

Description

Press release from the University of Delaware: Article by Karen B. Roberts February 25, 2022 Campus community remembers chemical engineering professor, former dean Babatunde A. Ogunnaike, William L. Friend Chair of Chemical Engineering and former dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Delaware, died on Feb. 20, 2022. "The passing of Tunde is a tremendous loss for our whole community, and Eleni and I join the entire University of Delaware in expressing our grief and condolences to his wife, Anna, and their family and many friends," said President Dennis Assanis. "Tunde was a brilliant scholar, a passionate teacher, a dedicated leader, a talented poet and a terrific human being. In my office, I keep a framed copy of the beautiful poem, titled 'Dawn at the Well of Inspiration,' that Tunde composed and delivered at my inauguration ceremony in 2016, and I absolutely treasure it. I will remember Tunde forever." A native of Nigeria, Dr. Ogunnaike earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Lagos, Nigeria in 1976. He went on to receive a master's degree in statistics and doctoral degree in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in 1981. Inspiring educator, trusted mentor More than anything, Dr. Ogunnaike took his role as an educator and mentor seriously. He dedicated time on his weekly schedule to advise and encourage students, even while serving as dean. With a twinkle in his eye, he would remind students and others that he came from a family of educators and that his mother was an English teacher. Proper grammar, whether in communication or academic literature, was expected. Errors were met with corrections and a patient explanation behind the change. This press release was produced by the University of Delaware. The views expressed here are the author's own.