Sholom Keller is our first feature student of this school year. He was chosen because he expresses many characteristics of what it takes to make it. Sholom is a non-traditional student who went back to college at the age of 27 in pursuit of his dreams. He quickly became infatuated with mathematics, not just the numbers and letters but the driving force, background, and what tied them all together.
He was inspired by RWC Math Professor Anthony Malone, who, even at the age of 65, gave Sholom the tools he needed to succeed. Sholom said Malone’s energetic teaching style kept his interest in the field, his open discussions allowed him to express his views, and his patience with the students allowed them to explore the deeper concepts of math.
While Sholom and I talked, he offered a lot of helpful tips to current and future students. For example, he made note that it’s okay to attend a smaller branch college. He said that Raymond Walters College allowed him to work at his own pace. The smaller class sizes allowed him to find his place in education and gave him time to decide where he wanted to journey off to next.
Sholom is currently at the UC Uptown Campus continuing his education thanks to his full ride due in part to the post 9/11 bill, the support of his wife, and the guidance of Professor Malone. Sholom ended our interview with a powerful statement: “School isn’t always about grades. It’s sometimes the knowledge and information that takes you further and helps you grow as a person.