TO THE EDITOR:
The article “First in a generation” (Feb. 25) was a great start to my Friday morning classes. Something about Chris Carter’s drive and story was just a quick reminder of the importance of teachers and professors who are deeply vested in the success of their students.
Like Chris, I’ve found that the people that have pushed me the most or taught me to overcome academic obstacles other than my parents have been my teachers, both in high school and college.
I’ll admit, one of my worries about coming to UNC was the large student to faculty ratio. But having spent just one semester here as a freshman, I’ve come to realize that professors at Carolina have an uncanny ability to play the role of mentor even with such a large student body.
Sometimes, I honestly wonder how between research, advising and lesson plans they find the time to meet with students and discuss anything from a question on a homework assignment to broad plans after college, but somehow they always make room.
So, in summary, congrats to Chris Carter on the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, and hats off to the teacher that pushed him to realize his full potential.
Swetha Pasala
Freshman
Biology and PWAD
