A Trailblazer in Physical Therapy and Faith-Driven Service
Exercise Science Graduate Benjamin Okenge ’21 embodies the intersection of academic excellence, faith-driven service, and personal resilience. A dual citizen of Canada and Rwanda and a recent U.S. permanent resident, Okenge brings a global perspective to his work as a dual-degree Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Doctor of Philsophy (PhD) student at The Ohio State University.
Okenge’s journey into the field of physical therapy is deeply personal. His younger brother’s life-changing spinal cord injury solidified his commitment to neurologic care, leading him to focus on outpatient treatment for conditions like amputations and spinal cord injuries. His Ph.D. research centers on neuroimaging using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in patients who have undergone ACL reconstruction, an area of study pursued by fewer than 10 researchers, globally.
“I love combining my personal, professional, and clinical interests,” Okenge said. “Being able to treat patients and contribute to groundbreaking research allows me to serve as both a clinician and educator, which is my ultimate career goal.”
Beyond academics, Okenge lives a fast-paced life in Columbus with his wife, Abigail, and their dog, Rolex. Together, they run two businesses; an online fitness coaching company and a short-term rental real estate venture. Okenge is also a competitive bodybuilder and co-host of Generation Varied, a podcast he started with fellow Asbury alumni Caleb Norris ‘20 and Jack Widener ‘17.
Okenge credits his time at Asbury for laying the foundation for his current success.“Asbury taught me to integrate my faith into all aspects of life,” he said. “It was instrumental in developing me into a man of character and lived-out faith.”
He reflects on the mentorship of professors like Dr. Vins Sutlive, Dr. Claire Peterson, Dr. Chris Bounds, and Dr. Glenn Spann, who challenged him to think critically and pursue excellence in every area of life.
Okenge’s advice to current students? “Immerse yourself fully in the Asbury experience. Participate in everything, build relationships with professors, and embrace the liberal arts education. Asbury is a transformative place, and you’ll leave as a much-improved version of yourself.”