1. Can you recall a memorable Haverford experience or faculty member?
During the fall of my sophomore year, we upset Germantown Academy in soccer in front of a huge crowd at home. I remember walking into Col. Miller’s history class the next day and he congratulated all the soccer players in the class on the win. Offhandedly, I said “Yeah, we got lucky." He stopped in his tracks and replied, "No you didn’t. Luck is the place where preparation and opportunity intersect. You prepared, you showed up, and you won." I often think about his response if I’m nervous about an upcoming presentation or exhibition. If you prepare as well as you can, you create your own luck.
Ben Grant '07 alongside his overview picture of the Arlit Uranium Mine, located in Arlit, Niger.
2. What inspired you to start Daily Overview?
At my first job out of college, I couldn’t figure out why everyone ate lunch by themselves everyday. As an excuse to bring people together, I started a space club and began preparing a talk each week on various topics related to the cosmos. For one meeting, I decided to focus on satellites and use a mapping program to find some satellite imagery and explain how it works. In the midst of that search, I wanted to see what would happen if I typed ‘Earth’ into the search bar, hoping it would zoom out to show a picture the entire planet. When I pressed enter, to my surprise, it did the opposite of what I hoped for, and zoomed in. The map had indeed settled on Earth – Earth, Texas. I was astounded by what I saw. My screen filled up with a stunning patchwork of green and brown circles (seen below). It turns out I was seeing pivot irrigation fields, a frequent sighting in the midwest where sprinklers water crops in a circular pattern. Everything changed for me in that moment.
Read the full interview with Ben and see more overviews on the Big Room blog.
Dr. R.V. Paul Chan '91presented the Gwinn Science Lecture on Sept. 22, and shared his personal and professional journey as well as memorable lessons he learned from Haverford.
Attention alumni: take a step back in time and reconnect with old friends by attending the annaul Haverford Parents' Association Gala. This year's '80s Rewind theme promises a lighthearted and fun affair. It will take place on Dec. 3 from 6:30-11 p.m. at the Hilton on City Line Avenue. Form a table of old friends and rock the night away while supporting your alma mater. Cocktails, conversation, live music and fabulous auction items ensure an enjoyable evening. Tickets are now available! Consider placing an advertisement in the program book for your business or organization. Contact Betsy Havens or click here for more details.
