Harvard Alumnus Charles J. McNamara '07 with Teach-for-America

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: Harvard Alumnus with Teach-for-America
From: "David L. Evans" <...evans@fas.harvard.edu>
Date: Sat, September 22, 2007 6:47 am
To: pg@harvardsf.org

Perry,

Please do pass this along.  It might inspire others to do what Charlie is doing in the Mississippi Delta with his Harvard degree!!

Best regards,

David

At 04:37 AM 9/22/2007, you wrote:

David,

Is it OK to share your story with other alums?  It will be energizing to many of them to hear about Charles trying to make a difference in Coahoma Country, Mississippi.

Perry

-------- Original Message --------

Subject: Harvard Alumnus with Teach-for-America

From: "David L. Evans" <...evans@fas.harvard.edu>

Date: Fri, September 21, 2007 11:32 am

To: <pg@harvardsf.org>

Perry,

 

Two weeks ago I visited schools in Phillips County, Arkansas (my home) and Coahoma County, Mississippi.  Both counties are in the Mississippi River Delta and are two of the poorest in the United States.  I share these details because of a great Harvard surprise I encountered while visiting Central High School in my hometown of Helena, Arkansas.

 

While making my admissions presentation I noticed a young Caucasian man in a school that is more than 95% African American who somehow seemed familiar to me.  When we approached each other we both said something like “I know you.”  He then introduced himself and it all became clear.  He is Charles J. McNamara ’07 from Grayling, Michigan who was the Latin Orator at the Harvard Commencement 2007!!!  Moreover, he is one of the students quoted in the current Rollo (Harvard application booklet, Page! 43) about the significant role financial aid played in his matriculation at Harvard.

 

Charlie serves in the Teach-for America program at Central High School and I was so moved by the encounter that I wept when I drove away in my rental car.  Lord knows they need him and his TFA colleagues in Helena because the school system is in such dire straits that the State has taken control of it.

 

His is a powerful and inspirational story and makes "it all seem worthwhile."

Best regards,

David