天美传媒

“Caring and bold.鈥� These are the words Gharvhel Carr茅, a junior double-majoring in physics and computer science, uses to describe himself. “Caring,” because while growing up in Haiti, he reached across class lines to befriend his less fortunate schoolmates who were struggling with racism, inequality and injustice. “Bold,” because he鈥檚 undaunted by his goal to complete a double major and the in three years before continuing to Columbia University as part of Adelphi鈥檚 joint degree program.

As the son of the president of Haiti鈥檚 spokesperson, Carr茅 grew up in a relatively affluent home in one of the world鈥檚 poorest nations. One day he failed to remember a lesson, and his teacher punished him by smacking his hand with a ruler. It was a typical punishment made unusual by the fact that the ruler鈥攁ll the rulers, in fact鈥攈ad Carr茅鈥檚 name on it because they鈥檇 been purchased by his family. While punishing him, the teacher insinuated that his performance in school hardly mattered since, due to his social position, Carr茅 would 鈥渟ucceed with ease.鈥� It opened Carr茅鈥檚 eyes to the divide between himself and his classmates; even more so after his mother disagreed more with the teacher鈥檚 actions than his words. As a result, Carr茅 began to befriend his fellow students, inviting them into the family home. 鈥淚 allowed them through a door they would most likely not have been able to open due to the economic gaps in Haiti, and they taught me to give to others as others will give back,鈥� he said.

Due to political instability, his family decided to seek asylum in the United States and moved to Long Island in 2007. A few years later, at age 16, Carr茅 enrolled at Adelphi, where he is active in LGS鈥攂oth as a member and administrative assistant鈥攁s well as Pi Lambda Phi and other campus organizations. 鈥淚 am a Levermore Global Scholar, simply because I want to leave a legacy by positively impacting the world around me,鈥� he said, adding that in LGS and Pi Lambda Phi, he’s 鈥渟urrounded by students who are as eager as me to make positive change and be leaders in various ways. We have grown to love, care for and aid one another.鈥�

Carr茅鈥檚 professional goal is to 鈥渂e remembered as a major contributor to science,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 want to be one of the greatest minds of the 21st century.鈥� Once he earns his degrees, he expects to pursue a career in either robotics or software engineering. No doubt his great mind will be matched by a heart that continues to work to advance humanity. 鈥淚 left Haiti eight years ago,” he said, “and to this day, I still go beyond myself to help those around me.鈥�

Gharvhel Carr茅 (left) joins the 天美传媒 community on the University Center Plaza to stand in support of the University of Missouri students who were threatened in retaliation for their efforts to make their community a more inclusive and respectful place.