9-Year-Old Black Boy Becomes University Student

David Balogun is a 9-year-old African-American child genius from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, who was recently admitted into university at the age of 9. David was accepted to Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) as the youngest learner in the institution’s 90-year history, enrolling at just nine years old. He completed high school with an astonishing 4.0 GPA.

David Balogun earned his high school diploma from Reach Cyber Charter School. As his lessons were done online, he completed classes less than 3 years after he started shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. David, who enjoys science and computer programming, took classes that focused on STEM subjects. He earned over a 4.0 GPA.

“I want to be an astrophysicist, and study black holes and supernovas,” David told WYMT.

David emerges from a reputable family. His parents Henry and Ronya Balogun, who own an outpatient psychiatric clinic, have advanced degrees. When asked about the feeling of raising a peculiar boy like David, they admitted that it could be daunting. “He’s a 9-year-old with a brain that does have the capacity to understand and comprehend a lot of concepts that are beyond his years. And sometimes beyond my understanding,” said Ronya.

As a toddler, David was already showing signs of high intelligence. Still, it wasn’t until he was five or six and started asking about negative numbers that his parents considered testing him for giftedness.

In fourth grade, David tested at a sixth and seventh-grade level and began completing courses and grades at his own pace – which his mother likens to a tornado – and finished third through twelfth grade within 2.5 years.

After concluding his high school education this year at nine and taking several courses at a local community college, Balogun was accepted at SNHU. He earned a full tuition scholarship to pursue his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science and IT.

David says his photographic memory allows him to retain what he learns, and after each milestone, he’s eager to move on to master the next topic. He considers his favourite subject to be “learning something new,” but if he had to choose, it would be science.

“We are thrilled to welcome David to the diverse SNHU community,” said Paul LeBlanc, President of SNHU. “His unique perspectives and contributions will enrich the culture of our university, and we are proud to be part of his educational journey. David is an amazing young man filled with so much personality. We are dedicated to ensuring that he receives an education that aligns with his remarkable abilities and empowers him to reach his full potential.”

Aside from studying, David also enjoys sports, piano, martial arts, and playing with Legos. His parents are cautious of the fact that David is a kid and they won’t want to heap a stack of pressure on him.