![\"Myles](\"https:\/\/webapp.sunypoly.edu\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/DSC_0044-1024x678.jpg\")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSharing his passion for music<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n While technology is something Duah has come to love, one of his first interests in life was music. For example, he still plays the drums and piano, and he has showcased his talents on the saxophone (tenor, soprano, and baritone) since he was four years old.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n As a member of modern and concert band in high school, Duah became passionate about jazz. He\u2019s also a fan of hip-hop music, largely due to the lyrical components, and while at SUNY Poly, Duah fused those interests together as founding president of the Jazz and Hip-Hop Club.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cI\u2019m very familiar with the instruments and wiring of all the equipment, so I was able to teach something I\u2019m really passionate about and share that passion with other people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n While they were largely inactive during the pandemic, interest in the club has since surged, as they now boast approximately 50 members.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n During their meetings, in addition to learning and playing music, the club members play games, have had paint and sips, put on a music festival and poetry slam, as well as organized a field trip to the Syracuse restaurant, Funk \u2018N Waffles.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Despite his pending graduation, the blossoming club will continue to remain a part of SUNY Poly\u2019s campus under new leadership.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Fully emerged<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n One of Duah\u2019s college goals was to push himself out of his comfort zone.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In addition to exceling in the classroom and sharing his passion for music with others, Duah\u2019s accomplishments also include: serving as a resident advisor; being a mentor and assistant with SUNY Poly\u2019s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP); co-founding SUNY Poly\u2019s EOP and Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) Living Learning Community; serving on the SUNY Poly EOP Advisory Council; participating in the SUNY Poly Leadership Institute; and speaking at both the Equity & Empowerment and Breaking Barriers & Building Resistance Symposiums this past October.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n All of these leadership experiences, he says, have played a role in shaping his career goals and character. So if breaking out of his shell was the goal, Duah has clearly succeeded, and others have noticed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n He was recently named SUNY Poly\u2019s recipient of the Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award, which celebrates the achievements of SUNY EOP seniors who have exhibited academic success, courage, perseverance and leadership qualities during their journey to earn an associate\u2019s or bachelor\u2019s degree.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cI am honored and grateful to have received this recognition,\u201d said Duah. \u201cTo me, winning this award is a testament to the support and guidance of the important people in my life, and it is a reminder to pay it forward. I hope that my achievement can serve as a beacon of hope, inspiring those who have been marginalized and forgotten to rise above inherited limitations and never give up on their dreams.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n After walking across the stage at the Wildcat Field House, the computer science major\/business management minor will head off to Newport, Rhode Island, where he\u2019s been hired as a computer scientist at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The advice he offers to future SUNY Poly students is to be open-minded.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"Myles](\"https:\/\/webapp.sunypoly.edu\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_6289-1024x682.jpg\")
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![\"Dr.](\"https:\/\/webapp.sunypoly.edu\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_6283-1024x682.jpg\")
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