FAMU inspires grad to reach his full potential

Nine years ago when Gary,Indiana native Walter Conwell came to FAMU he wanted to be a nurse, just like his mother.

At the time, Conwell said, it's what he thought he wanted. The truth is, though, it's all he thought he could accomplish as a young black man. "I would come up with every possible excuse as to why I didn't want to be a physician," Conwell said.

That was before Conwell attended a FAMU college fair in Gary, and met an imposing 6'6 college president who wouldn't take no for an answer. Conwell, a FAMU biology graduate, who now holds a medical degree from the University of Chicago, and is in the first year of the school's residency program, had just run into former FAMU President Frederick Humphries. Humphries took one look at Conwell's high school transcript and awarded him a hefty Life Gets Better Scholarship on the spot.

Dr. Humphries, Conwell' says recognized my full potential and planted the medical school seed in my head. Conwell, had already won $20,000 in scholarships from US Steel. Dr. Humphries planted the seed that helped me look beyond what I thought was possible and discover what my true passion -- becoming a doctor. An early D in freshman chemistry-his first D ever-showed Conwell that despite his top-notch grades in high school, he had arrived way behind many of his classmate.

"FAMU really gave me the encouragement and the drive to do well," Conwell said.

It paid off. Several schools accepted him into their medical programs, Conwell said, including Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis. As he proved himself academically, Conwell became certain medicine was for him and switched his major to pre-medical biology.

Also see: Grad is a Robert Woods Johnson Fellow

FAMU grad is UChicago MD