From Marine to Mastery: Studio Art Major Named Valedictorian of the Class of 2026

Jeremiah Aneke is not one to procrastinate when he sets his sights on a goal. The Abuja, Nigeria–born Queens resident has been named valedictorian of the Class of 2026 after completing his four-year degree in just two and a half years.

Aneke arrived in the United States at age five in 2007. His family initially settled in Brooklyn before relocating to Queens in 2020, just as he turned 18. That same year, he signed a six-year reservist contract with the U.S. Marine Corps, which extends through December 2026. Now a sergeant, Aneke began his college journey in spring 2024 with a clear objective: graduate in record time.

He initially enrolled at the New York Institute of Technology before transferring to York College after one semester, balancing academics with the demands of military service.

“Due to my military training and civilian employment, I wanted to make up for lost time by creating a schedule that would compress four years into two and a half,” Aneke explained. “My goal was to earn my bachelor’s degree before completing my military service.”

Choosing to major in Studio Art came naturally. Art has been part of Aneke’s life since childhood, influenced in part by his father, Joshua Aneke, an artist specializing in painting, graphic design, and photography.

“I always had a casual interest in drawing from elementary school, though I mostly copied existing images rather than creating from imagination,” he said. “In 2016, during my freshman year of high school, I was inspired by my younger brother, John Paul Aneke, whose ability to create original characters motivated me to develop my own artistic style.”

Over time, Aneke refined his craft, experimenting with multiple styles before settling into a semi-realistic approach. By 2025, he had accumulated years of consistent artistic practice and growth. In addition to his father, his mother, Lovette Aneke, and siblings, including his sister Chioma Aneke, have supported his decision to pursue art.

While attending Midwood High School in Brooklyn, Aneke contributed background artwork for an African stage performance and created a comic strip, The Anti-Climactic Life of Anna, for the Midwood Argus newspaper from 2017 to 2020. His work earned second place in the New York Scholastic Press Association’s 2019 Award for Best Illustration/Comic/Political Cartoon.

Dr. Emily Verla Bovino, described by Aneke as his favorite professor, affirms his talent and dedication. “Jeremiah is a talented artist, an attentive observer, and a deep thinker with an impressive commitment to learning,” Dr. Bovino said. “It has been a privilege to work with him. His high expectations raised the collective sense of intellectual and artistic achievement among his peers. I especially enjoyed watching him develop a vision for his future in art while building community with fellow Studio Art students.”

Beyond campus, Aneke has collaborated with clients in person and online, completing commissioned pieces and building a digital presence across creative communities. His artwork has been shared widely on platforms such as Reddit, Twitter, and Instagram.

Aneke’s mentor, Professor Maki Hajikano, also praised his accomplishments. “Jeremiah took several courses with me, including a senior project course. He approaches his artistic practice with intellectual rigor and conceptual sophistication,” she said. “He persistently extends the scope of assigned projects through sustained inquiry and critical engagement, producing work that is both conceptually rich and materially resolved.”

Professor Hajikano added, “I also worked with Jeremiah as his academic advisor. He balanced a full course load with military reserve service, managing these demands with discipline, focus, and professionalism while maintaining a perfect academic record. Jeremiah exemplifies the ideals of the College through his academic excellence, character, and integrity.”

She also expressed pride in his selection as valedictorian. “I am honored that he was selected to serve as Valedictorian for the Class of 2026,” she said. “He is a true inspiration to his peers and a testament to what dedication, perseverance, and a genuine passion for learning can achieve.”

For a graduate who once felt uncertain about his future after high school, Aneke has proven that his path is what he makes of it.

“I wasn’t sure what path to take after high school,” he said. “A friend who was already serving shared my contact information with a recruiter, and that conversation ultimately led me to enlist.”

Through discipline, creativity, and determination, he has forged a path defined by academic excellence and commitment to his art. He will begin a master’s degree in art in the fall while working part-time.