Thank you for including Greg Farrell ’57 among the tributes in your February issue.
In the spring of 1969 I had a life plan that began with attending Harvard Law School while enrolled in Naval ROTC. But a failed color-blindness test kept me out of ROTC, and I had a draft board that did not grant deferments for law school. In fact, its only deferments were for service in the Peace Corps or teaching in a public school that was facing a shortage of teachers.
Having worked with Greg and knowing his background, I sought his counsel. He told me about a New Jersey program he had helped create — an Urban Education Corps (a precursor to programs like Teach for America) that placed college graduates in classrooms as full-time teachers while they pursued certification and a master’s degree in teaching from Montclair State.
Greg got me into the program, and for the next three years I taught fifth and sixth grades in Trenton — one of the great experiences of my life. Even today I remain in touch with some of my students. In my third year of teaching, I ran into my thesis adviser, Stan Kelley, in the U-Store, which led to his suggesting me to incoming President Bill Bowen *58 for a position in his administration, the beginning of 47 years in Nassau Hall.
I don’t think any of that would have happened — the teaching in Trenton or the invitation to serve Princeton — had I not known Greg and turned to him for last-minute advice. I know I am only one of many whose lives were shaped by this remarkable and deeply caring man.
Thank you for including Greg Farrell ’57 among the tributes in your February issue.
In the spring of 1969 I had a life plan that began with attending Harvard Law School while enrolled in Naval ROTC. But a failed color-blindness test kept me out of ROTC, and I had a draft board that did not grant deferments for law school. In fact, its only deferments were for service in the Peace Corps or teaching in a public school that was facing a shortage of teachers.
Having worked with Greg and knowing his background, I sought his counsel. He told me about a New Jersey program he had helped create — an Urban Education Corps (a precursor to programs like Teach for America) that placed college graduates in classrooms as full-time teachers while they pursued certification and a master’s degree in teaching from Montclair State.
Greg got me into the program, and for the next three years I taught fifth and sixth grades in Trenton — one of the great experiences of my life. Even today I remain in touch with some of my students. In my third year of teaching, I ran into my thesis adviser, Stan Kelley, in the U-Store, which led to his suggesting me to incoming President Bill Bowen *58 for a position in his administration, the beginning of 47 years in Nassau Hall.
I don’t think any of that would have happened — the teaching in Trenton or the invitation to serve Princeton — had I not known Greg and turned to him for last-minute advice. I know I am only one of many whose lives were shaped by this remarkable and deeply caring man.