11-Year-Old Prodigy Studying Physics Is ‘Very Excited’ to Start Classes at HBCU
|
Posted By: How May I Help You NC on January 23, 2019 By Tanasia Kenney - The 11-year-old prodigy accepted into Southern University, an historically black university, on a full-ride scholarship last year just started his full semester of classes at the Louisiana college, and he couldn’t be more thrilled. Although much younger than his undergraduate peers, Elijah Precciely seems to be fitting right in. “I’m very excited,” he told local station KLFY. “I’ve been waiting on this for long, long time. This is my environment.” The celebrated “whiz kid,” who was home-schooled by his mother and began taking college-level courses in biology, physics and business through Southern at just 8 years old, earned a spot in the university’s Honors College in 2018, according to WAFB. Back in May, he was bestowed with the prestigious J.S. Clark Presidential Scholar Award and became the youngest person in history to receive a full-ride scholarship to Southern University. Because of the previous credits he earned, Precciely, a native of Baton Rouge, will start at the college in his hometown as a sophomore and plans to major in physics. “I love to be up here on campus. I love to learn,” he said. “But what really strikes me is when some people think I’m 15. Either I’m a tall 11-year-old, or a short 15-year-old.” Fellow students like Mubashar Ali said they’re impressed by the young scholar. “Oh yeah, definitely impressed,” Ali told WBRZ of Precciely, whom he admittedly mistook for a 13-year-old. “He knew way more than a lot of the students.” Ali added that his young classmate is “always engaged” and always helping teach the class. Another student, Dillon Brumfield, was equally wowed by Precciely’s intelligence and said the boy has no problem blending in with traditional undergraduate students. “He can fit in, just day-to-day activities. He can do everything that we can do,” Brumfield told the station. “There’s nothing he can’t do. It’s just like, after school is when it comes to be like, ‘Can he fit in?'” Despite being dubbed a genius, university leaders said Precciely will still need plenty of guidance and support to get through the next few years. Dr. Manicia Gene Finch, the associate vice chancellor for enrollment management, said the 11-year-old is so much more than just a prodigy. “He’s more than just a student,” Finch said. “I think he is a young gentleman and man of the Holy Spirit. “He’s going to fit in very well, as he already does here at Southern University.” Precciely said he’s ready for the challenges ahead. “You have to have a mindset to actually know ‘Hey I have to learn this, my life depends on it,’ ” he said. “Act like your life depends on it because it does. When you learn, you increase your life.” Among his other notable accomplishments, Precciely has authored a book, applied for several patents and hosts his own weekly radio show. https://atlantablackstar.com/2019/01/21/11... If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
How May I Help You NC
Management, See Moss Interactive Bellarmine University class of 2021 Member Since January 2011 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest News
 |
🎤 LAST CHANCE: Earn $50 USD in the Orchid Audio Project⏰ Final Call – Registration Closing Soon
The Orchid Audio Project is almost at capacity, and this is your last opportunity to participate and earn $50 USD for a simple audio recording task.
...more
Yazmín Müller • 26 Views • February 11th, 2026 |
 |
The Memorial Day Getaway Returns for Its 18th Annual CelebrationA Black Luxury Forward Memorial Day Experience Headlined by 2 Chainz
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic | Memorial Day Weekend
The Memorial Day Getaway returns this Memorial Day Weekend for its 18 ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 81 Views • February 10th, 2026 |
 |
Bethune-Cookman University To Host Inauguration For Dr. Albert D. Mosley On April 14Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) will mark the inauguration of Dr. Albert D. Mosley as its eighth president on Tuesday, April 14, marking a new era of leadership for the historic institution.
Founde ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 124 Views • February 9th, 2026 |
 |
2026 MS-CC Undergraduate Summer Research Internship✨Applications are open for the 2026 MS-CC Undergraduate Summer Research InternshipMS-CC invites undergraduate students to apply for a 10-week, paid summer research experience hosted in Nashvill ...more
David Lockett • 82 Views • February 9th, 2026 |
 |
Unlock Your Entrepreneur Journey — NEXT GEN Info SessionDate & TimeTuesday, February 1710:00 AM PST / 12:00 PM CST / 1:00 PM ESTVirtual EventREGISTER HERE:https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a...Tuesday, March 1710:00 AM PST / 12:00 PM CST / 1:00 ...more
Laura Van Brackle Sims • 53 Views • February 9th, 2026 |
Popular News
 |
North Carolina HBCU Unity DayShaw University - Elizabeth City State University - Johnson C. Smith University - Fayetteville State University - Livingstone College - North Carolina A&T State University - North Carolina Central Uni ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 104,090 Views • August 8th, 2016 |
