Keeping Up with Keji

The audience laughed and cheered as senior Keji Oladinni projected her witty lines in her lead role in the fall Main Stage production of Blood Wedding. Oladinni is heard and respected in all contexts at Exeter, from song, dance and acting to social justice initiatives.Born and raised in Lavergne, Tennessee, the daughter of Nigerian parents and the youngest of four children, her upbringing has influenced who she is and what she plans for herself in the future.Growing up on the outskirts of Nashville and the daughter of a doctor, Oladinni has been exposed to a perspective unlike most in the Exeter community. “There’s a stark difference in Nashville between the rich, white side with the Vanderbilt Hospital and the side with the General Hospital, which is usually where the black people go,” said Oladinni.As a former volleyball player, Oladinni has always had an appreciation for group work. This enthusiasm is evident with her participation in various ensemble-based performing clubs on campus. Her love for music and dance shines as a singer in both the all-female group, Sans Hommes and the gospel choir. Oladinni is also the co-head of the hip-hop dance group Imani, and a euphonium player in the concert band.

“She’s very supportive as a person, and I always feel comfortable talking to and going to her with any problem.”

She has also dedicated two terms to performance in the main stage productions. In her first term as a new upper, Oladinni was cast as Olivia, a lead in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” This past fall, Oladinni took on the role as a distraught widow and mother in “Blood Wedding.” “She projected a monologue to the audience that left everybody on the edge of their seats: eager to support her in her quest for justice, but frightened of the aggression within her tone that foreshadowed the violence to come,”  postgraduate Tommy Mobley said.Although Oladinni does not plan to pursue the arts as a career, the director of “Blood Wedding” and English instructor Todd Hearon admitted that if she desired work in the field of acting, it would come easily to her. “She’s got more than just the nuts-and-bolts practicalities down; she’s got real presence, real soul and she searches hard for the character she’s building,” Hearon said.As mathematics instructor Panama Geer has observed, coming to Exeter as a new upper can be a challenge. Having taught Oladinni for a term, Greer praised her ability to adjust well to the rigorous curriculum at Exeter and her perseverance in every problem that crosses her path.“Keji never gives up, and she keeps smiling. She has faced a great deal of challenges in her life and has done so with a grace, humility and positivity that we can all learn from,” Greer said.Not only has Oladinni adjusted to Exeter academically, she has also developed personal connections all around campus, including the position of a proctor in Amen Hall. Oladinni fills every room she walks into with her bubbly personality, being described by many as fun to be around. “I’m going to miss her a lot next year when she’s gone, but I look forward to creating some more fun memories with her before she leaves,” lower Emily Green said.Mobley agreed that Oladinni’s presence on campus is prevalent. “When I arrived at Exeter this fall, Keji was extremely amiable and has been a great friend throughout my entire year here. She has a wonderful quality that seems to light up the spaces that she is in,” Mobley said.Moreover, she is well connected to the members of her dorm, never failing to offer support and advice when it is needed. “When I haven’t talked to her in a while, Keji will come into my room and ask me how I’ve been,” Oladinni’s former roommate, Sara Michaels said, “Speaking to her is very easy and it’s always nice to share a conversation with her. She’s very objective and gives very good advice.”Lower Charlotte Polk recognized these same qualities in Oladinni. “She’s very supportive as a person, and I always feel comfortable talking to and going to her with any problem,” Polk said.As a proctor of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and a member of the Council of Equity and Social Justice, Oladinni strives to make a genuine impact in our community. Oladinni values live, active discussion. “We really get in there and think about ways we can better Exeter and make it more equitable,” Oladinni said.Making a true difference at Exeter requires Oladinni’s commitment to the council and office to go beyond discussion. She also helps to get students involved by planning events, distributing articles and posting signs around campus. She possesses the ability to work effectively and efficiently, which assists her in making tangible change in the community.Senior Chudi Ikpeazu appreciates Oladinni’s confidence and understands how useful she is to Exeter. “On the council [of social justice and equity], I could see her as a detective because she can be really ‘to the point,’” said Ikpeazu.Senior Ruby Fludzinski agreed that Oladinni is engaged and passionate about her community and the impact she makes. “A few nights ago she came into my room and we stayed up until 3 a.m. talking about everything and anything, from social injustices to new nail polish colors,” Fludzinski said.Oladinni hopes to pursue a career in research of cardiovascular diseases and their prevalence in African American communities. Although she cringed at the “cheesiness” of her own words, she promises to “give back to the underprivileged communities.”