College life can be a big adjustment for freshmen: new freedoms, the challenge to manage time and studies along with new friends and new experiences—and still get to classes every day. Even so, most do just fine. Still others excel, and each spring at the Student Affairs Leadership Banquet, one student is recognized as Outstanding Freshman, based upon excellence and potential in leadership and scholarship.
In 2012, that student was Kevin Graham. He jumped in with both feet at Austin College, participating in many areas—H.E.A.T (service), Campus Activities Board, Great Day of Service, varsity basketball—and he was elected president of the student group Black Expressions.
Kevin is living up to the potential seen in him as a freshman, both inside and outside the classroom. Basketball coach Rodney Wecker said, “Kevin has a burning desire to win at all facets of life on and off the court. He is in college first and foremost to gain an education and has shown the courage to push himself to the limit. He also has a strong sense of duty and loyalty to the people and organizations he serves as he works for the betterment of each individual with whom he interacts, conscious of how he might benefit them in his role as teammate or friend.”
Learn more below about Kevin, a John D. Moseley Alumni Scholar, who plans to major in sociology and psychology and then attend graduate school to study psychology or law.
Q. How athletics fit into my Austin College experience:
A. “I’ve been playing all my life, and I still have certain goals that I feel that I can reach. Athletics have taught me that adversity can make a weak person into a strong person.”
Q. Favorite class as a freshman:
A. “Sociology of the South, a class with Bart Dredge, was by far my favorite. The topics discussed made me think of things in a different way, and anytime I do that, I pretty much want to find out more.”
Q. A “defining moment” that has directed or changed my life:
A. “Any time with my grandma, in church, or seeing my parents work hard”
Q. Most important lesson learned:
A. “If you fall down seven times, you better get back up eight times.”
Q. The first purchase if I won the lottery:
A. “Buy my mom a house”
Q. Favorite quote:
A. “By any means necessary”
Q. Most important qualities in a friend:
A. “Loyalty and ambition”
Q. Dream job:
A. “Playing for the Miami Heat”
Q. Idea of a perfect day:
A. “Seeing everyone I know happy and not stressed out about life”