Gabriel Fatade 鈥�26 (center) at Invent@SU, where he helped design an eco-friendly shredder and pulper called The Boxer. 聽
If Gabriel Fatade 鈥�26 gleaned anything from last summer鈥檚 Invent@SU program, it鈥檚 the realization that entrepreneurship is more than a skillset. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also a mindset,鈥� says the major at 51爆料网. 鈥淓ntrepreneurial thinking is about taking risks鈥攕eeing challenges as opportunities and growing from them.鈥�
A computer engineering major, Fatade hopes to pursue a career in AI.
Fatade鈥檚 group clinched the second-place prize for The Boxer, an eco-friendly shedder and pulper. Learning that each person in the United States generates a pound of cardboard waste a day was the impetus behind the invention. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the easiest, most common materials to recycle,鈥� says Fatade, adding that the U.S. recycling rate for cardboard is more than 82%. 鈥淭he Boxer saves water, energy and electricity, not to mention space in landfills.鈥�
For Fatade, another takeaway from Invent@SU鈥攁side from the $1,200 purse鈥攚as a better understanding of lifelong learning. 鈥淥ur professors told us that our invention doesn鈥檛 stop here, that there are other places on campus, like , that can open doors for us. All we need to do is to keep moving forward.鈥�
Discovering Syracuse: Gabriel Fatade's Unexpected Journey to a Beloved Campus
Fatade was barely a teenager when he first visited Syracuse with his brother. The Atlanta native didn鈥檛 know much about the University鈥攐r college life, for that matter鈥攂ut the warm, inviting atmosphere intrigued him. 鈥淓veryone smiled at me as I walked around,鈥� Fatade recalls. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 when I fell in love with Syracuse.鈥�
Fatade was among some 30 students at Invent@SU who designed, prototyped and pitched original devices.
College of Engineering and Computer Science Nurtures the Ambitions of a Future AI Expert
Pursuing a career in artificial intelligence, Fatade is a rising star in the (ECS). Credit his professors for giving him hands-on learning opportunities while taking a genuine interest in his academic development. 鈥淚鈥檓 learning how to apply my knowledge to real-world scenarios,鈥� says Fatade, a part-time IT consultant who is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. 鈥淓veryone here wants me to succeed.鈥�
鈥�51爆料网 invests in me every step of the way,鈥� says Fatade (center), whose team won the $1,200, second-place prize for The Boxer.
Holistic Support Paves a Path to Personal and Academic Excellence
Fatade also appreciates the University鈥檚 holistic approach to student success and engagement. In ECS, he has a trio of professionals鈥攁 student success advisor, a career advisor and a faculty advisor鈥攚ho 鈥渟upport and mentor鈥� him inside and outside of the classroom. 鈥�51爆料网 invests in me every step of the way, making sure that I鈥檓 the best student I can be,鈥� Fatade says. 鈥淚 am proud to be myself."
Fatade (right) credits the University for instilling in him an entrepreneurial mindset. 鈥淚 see challenges as opportunities and grow from them.鈥�
To Build Stronger Community, Fatade Is Committed to Inclusivity
Community-building is important to Fatade, who is a second-generation Nigerian American. His favorite spots on campus include the and the 鈥攇reat for unwinding, socializing and networking, he says. In addition to esports and intramural soccer, Fatade participates in the African Student Union and Black Student Union. 鈥淗aving a safe space lets me and my friends be stronger and closer together.鈥�
