Engineering Family Ties

How many engineers does it take to ...? If the answer is six, the Embry family should have no problem getting the job done.

Family allegiance to a product or service is a goal for many organizations, and UTK's College of Engineering is no exception. Perhaps one of the best examples of a family connection through UT education is the Embrys.

Four Embry brothers are either attending or have graduated from UTK's engineering program. Although the pattern for pursuing a career in engineering is unmistakable, the Embrys have approached the profession from four different angles. Twins Irucka and Obiora, both sophomores, are working toward civil and industrial engineering degrees, respectively. The next oldest brother, Segun, is a senior in the chemical engineering department. The fourth brother and oldest of the Embry siblings, Kamata (Siku), graduated in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and is currently enrolled in the MBA program at the University of Kentucky.

Segun Embry, a current participant in the Minority Engineering Scholarship Program, emphasized the impact MESP has made on his success at UT.

"Through scholarships as well as academic and social support, MESP has allowed me as well as other members of my family to reach our lifelong goals of obtaining a college education," he said.

In addition to the four Embry engineer brothers, a sister, Ayodele, who is second oldest in the family lineup, earned a degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech. She is pursuing a doctoral degree in electrical engineering at Stanford University.

Who or what could influence five siblings to pursue engineering careers? According to the family, the major engineering influence on the Embry children has been Ivanetta (Mapp) Barksdale, an aunt of the Embry siblings. Barksdale, a participant in the Minority Engineering Scholarship Program, graduated from UT's College of Engineering in 1984 with a degree in electrical engineering.

"Recruiting students with the help of family members has enhanced the support system that is already in place through the Minority Engineering Scholarship Program," said James Pippin, director of MESP. "We are pleased with all that the Embry family has accomplished through both the College of Engineering and MESP."

The Embrys, as well as their aunt, are from Lexington, Ky.

Story by Jacque Branson