This week, I received a picture of an acceptance letter to Vanderbilt University College of Engineering from one of our students – Robert. Like Robert, I was elated to see this news, especially as I believe that it is well deserved. Robert has a 4.25 W GPA, 3.857 UW GPA, and 1500 SAT score with a perfect 800 SAT Math score.

You see, Math runs in Robert’s DNA. Why do I say this?

Well, soon after meeting Robert, I realized that his paternal grandmother was the Head of the Mathematics Department at my alma mater, Spelman College, in the early ’80s, while I was a student there, majoring in Mathematics. And his paternal grandfather taught Mathematics at Morehouse College during my time at Spelman as well. Both grandparents have since retired from these prestigious institutions.

Here’s the final, remarkable historical connection, both of his paternal grandparents earned their master’s degrees in Mathematics from Vanderbilt with his grandfather being the 1st African American to earn their Ph.D. in Mathematics from Vanderbilt University in 1973. So, it only makes sense for Robert to say to me upon our 1st meeting that “Mathematics is in his genes!” I would have to agree. And while Robert has not made a final decision, we are excited to share this historic, full-circle moment.

Congratulations, Robert!!!

***Pictured above are CFS Principal Counselor/CEO, Cynthia DeBerry Flowers, and Robert’s grandmother, Dr. Sylvia Bozeman taken May 1983.