At the graduation ceremony for the class of 2017 Otun once again took the stage, this time to tell the story of how he, a boy from the middle of nowhere, succeeded at IUPUI and fulfilled his dream of being accepted into medical school. The following is an excerpt from his graduation speech.
"A few months ago, I was watching the movie Hidden Figures with some friends from the IUPUI Biology Club. We had free tickets - you know how students love free things. If you haven't seen it, I encourage you to do so. The movie is about three African American ladies, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, who were essential in America's flight to the moon. However, they don't teach us about them in history classes. I didn't even know they existed before I saw the movie. But, we all know Neil Armstrong. These three ladies were his hidden figures.
"I ask that as we enjoy this day and bathe in self-love, let us pause for a second and remember the people who got us into our cap and gown today.