We asked some of the brightest folks from within the community to reflect back on their days in school and to share with us a story of when they learned a particularly important or impactful lesson. We’ve shared highlights below.

Noah M. Dorsey

I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had a supportive upbringing in various aspects of my life. Home life was wonderful, with both my Mom and Dad caring deeply for me and wanting the best. This supportive atmosphere extended to high school, where teachers believed in me, providing opportunities for success. Read more>>

Davina Smith

During my PhD program, there was a defining moment that taught me a crucial life lesson. I was in a residency, with people from many different academic backgrounds and we were given several questions to discuss as a group. What struck me was that everyone had a unique perspective based on their academic field, personal experiences, and life views. The discussions were so powerful. Everyone’s viewpoint was like a piece of a puzzle, contributing to a rich pool of knowledge. It made me contemplate things in an entirely new way, from a perspective I had never considered before. Read more>>

Jennifer Dohr

When I was a senior in college, I was lucky enough to be taught in Creative Writing by a woman who has since become an international bestselling author. One day, I bounded into her office and asked, “What did you think of my short story?” “I couldn’t finish it,” she cooly replied. Read more>>