Born on the 23rd August 1954 in Akure, Nigeria.

I was given the name Chukwurah, which in Igbo language means that God should protect this child.

Because I was born with an umblical cord around my neck, I was given the name Ojo in an expensive naming ceremony organized and paid for by an old Yoruba women who predicted that "this child will bring lots of happiness."

Ojo is a common Yoruba name which is given to a male child born in a difficult delivery. Since not every child can survive being strangled by the chord, the Yorubas believe that such children are special.

A few months later, I was baptized under the name Philip (after Prince Philip, the father of Prince Charles).

What's in a name?

Philip Emeagwali, circa early 1955.

I was three years old when this photograph was taken. My mother is sitting on the left of the front row.

Mother and her friends

Burutu, Nigeria, circa 1957

Cousin Charles (third from right), who spent his school holidays with us, came to see us for before leaving for England to study accountancy.

In 1962, it was a big accomplishment to study overseas. Charles was one of my early role models. I am standing on the right.

Cousin Charles leaves for England

Place: Uromi, Nigeria
Date: September 1962

Saint George's Grammar School, Obinomba, near Warri (Nigeria). All-boys school of about 250 students of ages 11 to 25 with four expatriate teachers.

The term "Grammar School," which had its origin from the British educational system, did not mean that the school emphasized the study of grammar.

The emphasis was on the intellectual, physical, social and spiritual development of students in a Christian atmosphere. Compulsory chapel services were held every morning. I was an altar boy and sang in the choir.

I learned to swim in the local river and almost drown on two occasions. I kept this secret from my mother. I watched television for the first time in my life. I had my first dance with a girl at a school party. Favourite songs were Beatle's "Twist and Shout," Uwaifo's Guitar Boy and Rex Lawson "Sawale." Adored and bought memorabilia of British pop star Cliff Richard and Elvis Presley.

7th Grade Photo
Philip Emeagwali (left of the front sitting row, 1966)

By 1971, I had picked up the nickname "Calculus." I admired the work Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727), the English physicist and mathematician who discovered that white light is made up of seven primary colors. Since I did not have access to books and laboratory equipments, I repeated this experiment by using a bucke of water and mirrors, a very ingenious trick that will require an elaborate explanation. That might have been my first scientific breakthrough.

My motivation for studying calculus was to enable me to understand how Isaac Newton created his theory of universal gravitation, which explains how gravity keeps us from falling down and keeps the stars, planets and moons in orbit.

Saint Charles House

Christ the King College, Onitsha, Nigeria
Date: 1971

Nnamdi Azikiwe is my intellectual grandfather. He later became the first president of Nigeria and my country's foremost nationalist.

Nnamdi Azikiwe, "Zik nwa jelu obodo oyibo"

Place: Storer College, Virginia
Date: 1926

Here I dropped out of high school again. Came to Enugu to take the Scholastic Aptitute Test so that I can apply for admission to an American college.

Enjoying my days in Uwani, Enugu (Nigeria), 1972

Obtained my University of London diploma as an external candidate. A few weeks (or months) before I came to the United States.

Cooling Off in Onitsha

circa late 1973

My last reunion with my high school classmates before I left for the United States. (Left to Right) Peter Ozoh, Fidelis Umeano, Tagbo, Philip Emeagwali, and Lawrence.

Last Party in Nigeria

Christ the King College, Onitsha, Nigeria, 1973.

Class trip from Oregon College of Education (now called Western Oregon University) to mountains near the border of Washington state and Canada.

Memorable Class Trip

Washington state, August 1974

Briefly worked at a farm, milked cows and did some horse riding in Bend, Oregon. I am only living up to my name "Philip," which was originally derived from the Greek name Philippos which is a compound of philein (to love) and hippos (horse). Hence Philip means "lover of horses." Coincidentally, my mother's name "Iyanma" means "beautiful horse" in Igbo language.

Located in the high desert of central Oregon, Bend is famous for its many forms of outdoor recreation. Ride yourhorse to the top of nearby Pilot Butte (511 feet high volcanic cindercone), and you will see the nine snowcapped Cascade peaks.

Philip, the lover of horses

Place: Bend, Oregon
Date: January 1975

Although I owned a car, I use it about once a month. I travel about 25 miles a day on my bicycle. Most streets in Corvallis had bike lanes.

Preparing for a long distance trip

Place: Corvallis, Oregon
Date: April 1975

I spent my weekend typing my term papers for Philosophy and Astronomy.

My major was mathematics, physics and civil engineering (I was undecided for three years!). I was the only black student in these three departments.

There was a black student majoring in computer science and he tried unsuccessfully to get me to change my major to computer science. Back then (1975), I was still using manual typewriters, slide rules and punch cards. Being a mathematician or physicist sounded more more exciting and prestigious than becoming a computer scientist.

In late 1975 and early 1976, I lived with Fred Merryfield, a civil engineering that founded the eight largest engineering consulting firm in the United States. My encounter with Merryfield subconciously influenced my decision to change my major to civil engineering.

Typing Philosophy Term Papers

3 Edgewood Way, Corvallis, Oregon, June 1975

The 500 acre Oregon State University campus is the state's oldest institution of higher education. Corvallis is the quintessential college town.

Very few people of African descent in that city and I was the first black student to graduate in my department. People were friendly but always kept their social distance from black students.

Relaxing at Oregon State University campus
Date: July 1975

The day I got married. With sister-in-law Annete Brown (left) and cousin Valerie.

One last photograph ... please??

Baltimore, Maryland; August 15, 1981.

I first met Dale in June 1978. We were returning to school from Baltimore to Washington, D.C. I sat next to her in the Greyhound Bus and introduced myself.

The newly wed share a special moment.

Place: Baltimore, Maryland
Date: August 15, 1981

We first lived in Silver Spring, Maryland. Dale conducted biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda.

At our private library

Silver Spring, Maryland; 1983

Ma Mamie (Dale's maternal grandmother) and Agatha Emeagwali (my mother visiting from Nigeria)

Phil, Ma Mamie and Mama

August 1984, Baltimore, Maryland

In early 1989, I was telling co-workers that I had performed the world's fastest computation. Nobody believe me because it was considered impossible for a single individual to perform such a task alone. In this two-week conference, people started believing my results and there was a lot speculation that I might win that year's Gordon Bell Prize (which I did).

Argonne National Lab, Chicago

After winning the Gordon Bell Prize, I spent more time talking to journalists than to scientists. It was not unusual to spend three hours a day posing for photographs. This photo was taken for the Detroit Free Press.

Scientific Computing Office
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, June 1990

An outdoor walk with son, Ijeoma, in the college town of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Ann Arbor was named after the two founder's wives (both named Ann) and the natural stands of burr oaks (arbors) in the area.

Our most memorable activities include the annual Art Fair, fine cuisine, boat riding on the Huron river, weekend soccer games with the large international student population. I was the runner-up in the 1989 Ann Arbor Men's Tennis Tournament.

Ijeoma loves to ride "horsi" (i.e. horse riding) on daddy's back.

An Outdoor Walk

Place: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Date: Early summer 1991

Dad (James Nnaemeka Emeagwali) on Christmass Day of 1996.

Dad is holder the Ozo title and a member of the prestigious Agbalanze society in Onitsha, Nigeria. Agbalanzes have the right to sit in important meetings and express their views, irrespective of their age. In the olden days, an Ozo man enjoyed diplomatic immunity and it was not permissible to assault or arrest him.

Father & Son

Place: District Heights, Maryland
Date: Christmass Day, 1996

Dale and Ijeoma visits my father at his home in District Heights, Maryland.

James, Dale and Ijeoma Emeagwali
circa Summer 1995.