As soon as I sat down to talk to Julian Ogawa, FCRH ’25, the conversation was immediately full of friendly excitement. Ogawa, from Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, was inspired to come to Fordham by his uncle, Joe Juntereal, a Fordham alum, GSB ’08. Juntereal also inspired Ogawa to join the Fordham University Philippine-American Club (FUPAC). Aside from FUPAC, Ogawa is also a part of Pep Band, Asian Cultural Exchange (ACE), Photography Club and Film Club. 

The historian position and board member position he holds on FUPAC and ACE respectively, seem like a perfect fit, as the conversation then turned to Ogawa’s work with photography and videography. The digital technologies and emerging media major’s love for film is not only evident in his academics, but carries over into many of his hobbies, as he spends much of his time documenting his life and the fun adventures he partakes in. 

Ogawa started his daily vlogs early in the semester but has since slowed down on uploading due to midterms.  He would spend hours outside of class filming, editing and uploading; sometimes, one might even find themself involved in the vlog, as he tries to get anyone and everyone involved, including some of his professors. The official Fordham Instagram page (@fordhamuniversity) has even recognized Ogawa’s work, reposting a glimpse of one of his recent vlogs and commenting on his amazing charisma. 

These vlogs are modeled after famous YouTuber Casey Neistat, whom Ogawa believes is set apart from other vloggers and internet influencers because he truly loves his work. Ogawa emphasizes that he wants to be “loved for doing what he loves,” and explains what he believes sets him apart from other beginner influencers, “People who are flaunting on social media ‘I’m a photographer’ or ‘I’m an influencer’ that’s their main thing, to flaunt that they do this stuff. I want to see their work … But why are you doing that? I like watching and seeing the reason people like to film, and that’s what I want to mimic.” Ogawa’s work can be seen on his Instagram and YouTube, both @julimages.

Talking to Ogawa, it is easy to tell that he is a leader, not a follower. Not only does he pave the way with his vlogs, but in other activities he is involved in, such as Pep Band and the 2021 Mr. Philippines-Island Pageant (Mr. PI). 

In Pep Band, Ogawa plays third trumpet and has played since seventh grade. When asked what made him want to pick up the trumpet, he responded: “I liked having the melody in the song … I want to play the main part of the song.” 

In regard to the Mr. PI Pageant, Ogawa was recommended by FUPAC to partake in the event and was one of the only freshmen to participate, going against upperclassmen of other schools in the region. Ogawa recalls putting a lot of his time and energy into learning the dances, creating acts and preparing speeches, but remembers it mostly to meet a lot of new people. Past members of FUPAC have also participated in the pageant, with Ogawa only continuing this culturally unifying legacy.

He might be seen around campus zooming by on his penny board, running around with his camera or working out in the new gym, but anywhere he is, Ogawa is surely spreading his energetic personality. As we were talking, groups of people came up just to say hello to Ogawa, further emphasizing the point that he loves to make new friends and talk to everyone he meets; if you see him around campus, make sure to say hello. 

When we weren’t discussing the basics of schools and clubs, the conversation would turn to random facts about himself. I learned that he puts coins on the windowsill of wherever he lives for good luck, and that Rocky is his favorite movie. He can even do the splits — he stood up during our interview, in the middle of the new student center gallery, just to show me his flexible skills. 

I can give you endlessly more interesting facts about Ogawa, but I think the real treat is to sit and meet with him yourself. However, I will leave you with one message he lives by that he wishes to share with the people reading this paper: “If you can’t beat the fear, do it scared.” —  Will Smith.