Triumph & Tragedy

Hello,

My name is Daniel, and I've worked for Menlo College in the Facilities Department for about 15 years now. In my time here, I've had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful students and an even greater privilege of working with a select few who I now call friends. One of these unique individuals is Jacob Kipyego. I first met Jacob in the fall of 2020 when he was looking for part-time work and asked if we were hiring. He was in his 2nd year, and I joked with him about needing some spending cash. He corrected me and said he wanted to work "to help his family back home." I liked him from the start, and my appreciation for him only grew as I learned more about him.

Jacob was only the second person from his village back home in Kenya to come to the US and attend college. He made it his determination to be the first to graduate. Back home, Jacob had two sisters and a younger brother whom he was determined to take care of and be a good example to. Most importantly to him was that he could take care of his mom and make her proud. As a parent, I can personally say that I know Jacob accomplished this from the moment he arrived at Menlo to the day of his graduation.

While at Menlo, Jacob was always working, even taking 18 units worth of classes both semesters of his senior year. Whether he was studying, going to class, training for one of his track events, or calling me to ask what he can do for work that day, Jacob was working so hard to fulfill his desire to one day take care of his mom and his siblings. I as well as so many other were consistently impressed with all that Jacob had on his plate. Even still he always seemed to have a positive attitude and a smile on his face. With stress levels that are typically higher during finals week, Jacob would find the time to stop and ask how my day was going.

After four long years of hard work, the day had finally come on May 20, 2023. All the long days and sleepless nights studying had paid off. Jacob would be graduating with the Menlo College Class of 2023. It was Jacob's desire that his mom might be able to get a temporary visa to come to his graduation. Unfortunately, this did not become a reality. Jacob then lovingly gestured to me and said that my wife and I could represent his family at graduation, and he would celebrate with his family at a later time. This was the greatest privilege, and we happily accepted, along with the whole Menlo Facilities team who came to love Jacob.

Later that evening, at Jacob's graduation dinner, we learned that back home in Kenya, Jacob's mother had been admitted to the hospital. There was little known about her condition, but as my wife and I sat with him at dinner, Jacob's thoughts were obviously filled with concerns for his mom. We tried to reassure him of his mom's recovery and that in no time, they would be talking, and she would be telling him how proud she was of him. Jacob nodded in agreement and was trying to let himself be happy about reaching his first goal—being the first in his village to graduate. In reality, all of us know that you can't be happy when the one you love the most is in the hospital.

The worst of our fears were confirmed when Jacob reached out to me at 1:30 am. His mother, Sally Jeptoo, fell asleep in death on May 20, 2023. The same day Jacob graduated from Menlo, he lost his mother in death. A day that should have rightly been celebrated in triumph had quickly been shattered in tragedy. As of now, a collection is being done here to pay for the funeral expenses and to give Jacob and his family a bit of monetary relief while they all comfort one another.

On behalf of Jacob, Myself and all his Family we thank you for your Love and Support!