President's Medalist succeeds through perseverance

Derrick Mitchell has his sights set on entering Johns Hopkins School of Medicine next fall. Getting a taste of the action this summer, he works full-time as a technical partner in Emergency at Fresno Community Hospital.

by Tom Uribes

Derrick Mitchell's educational journey has been a tough one.

Instead of giving up, however, the 22-year-old student - a Bulldog track champion who gave up the sport for one year to focus on academics - persevered.

Now he has arrived at a major milestone on his journey: he received the President's Medal at the university's 87th Commencement.

A graduate of Mt. Eden High School in Hayward, Mitchell received the School of Natural Sciences Dean's Medal enroute to winning the top award. He plans to become an emergency room physician or a public health provider.

He and his wife, Markisha, have a son, Derrick Elijah, 21 months. Also a Fresno State chemistry major, Markisha plans to teach high school chemistry. She too graduated from Mt. Eden, where they were high school sweethearts, Mitchell told the commencement crowd after calling her up to the stage to share in his honor.

Mitchell has excelled in the chemistry program at Fresno State. He attended the Medicorps Summer 1996 Undergraduate Clinical Research Program as well as the New York University Summer Research Program.

He was also a McNair Scholar at Fresno State in 1996 and served as president of the Charles Drew Society.

Back to University Journal, 7/20/98 Issue