Jeremiah Meadows says, “I pay attention”. His smile is warm, his manner attentive, and there is not a shred of doubt he is paying attention, processing, thinking and planning. When asked if he would be willing to come back to Reynolds in May to talk about his experience at VCU where he is headed in January, he pulls out his phone and sets up a calendar reminder. Impressive.
Jeremiah admittedly wasn’t always passionate about
academics. He was home schooled and didn’t get a good perspective on the value
of education until later when he began exploring his own ideas and interests.
Jeremiah has been on his own financially since he turned 20.
Jeremiah’s first real classroom experience came at Reynolds.
For a student who had struggled for years to learn independently, to solve his
own problems and answer his own questions without the benefit of teachers,
coming in to a welcoming environment that offered a community of learners was
the spark that set his love of learning on fire. He said, “Now I enter every
class ready to learn and engaged. Whether or not the subject is directly
related to my studies [biology!] doesn’t matter, I can always take away a
lesson.”
Jeremiah, like many of the Honors Students, said he delayed
going to college until he knew what he wanted to do. He needed a goal. Instead
of heading to college – the easier path that his parents supported – he went to
work. He had been working since age 14 so the choice seemed clear. By the time
he knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life he had worked in a
hardware store, for an answering service, as a server at a resort, and as a 911
dispatcher. Currently he works 20 hours each week for Chesterfield County in
addition to carrying a course load of 12 or 13 credit hours. 10 of those credit
hours are Honors Courses. Again, impressive.
Now that it’s time to leave Reynolds, Jeremiah is reluctant
to go. “My experience at Reynolds has been so incredible. The professors have
made a huge difference. I am so grateful for the relationships I have made with
them. They have always been willing to help and they do a fantastic job of
teaching. What I have learned here is so valuable. Not just what is in the
textbooks, but for example, Professor Teresa Creech’s class discussion format
sharpened my analytical skills and Professor Robert Tyson opened my eyes to my
path in life. Then there is the community of learners who inspired me, kept me
on track, and became my friends. It’s very hard to leave these relationships.”
To any student thinking about coming to Reynolds, Jeremiah
had this to say: “Reynolds is a very welcoming environment. It’s not
judgmental. Students are free to be themselves, to explore and express ideas.
There is much less pressure. Reynolds is a smart choice for many reasons, certainly
financially, but more important, it is a smart choice academically.”
Best of luck to you, Jeremiah. Your professors and fellow
students are going to miss you terribly, but no doubt they will be glad they
knew you.
Jeremiah Meadows graduates from Reynolds in December as an
Honors Scholar. The Honors Scholar designation means Jeremiah has completed the
full Honors curriculum and is eligible, per Reynolds transfer agreements, for
direct admission to VCU or JMU Honors College.
Earlier this semester, when asked about his future plans,
Jeremiah had this to say: “My transfer to
VCU this spring (2018) is underway, where I will double-major in Political
Science and Philosophy. After that, my course could change or divert.
Currently, I wish to attend Harvard Law School after I receive my baccalaureate
degree. However, I could find myself on an academic path toward a deeper
pursuit of philosophical study where I may go to graduate school for the
discipline. My primary goal for my future career is to work toward eliminating
the stark socioeconomic inequality that exists both inside and outside of the
United States.”
