“He’sverypassionateaboutthemuseumand
encouragingpeopleofallbackgroundsto
engageinmathematicsandconsidera career
inmath,”Lawrencesaid.“FromthedayI first
methim,I wasimpressedbyhisfriendliness,his
intelligence,hisenthusiasm.”
Thosequalities,alongwithhispast,enabled
Urscheltomakea lastingimpressionona group
ofmiddleschoolkidsduringoneofhisinitial
visitstothemuseum.
“Johntalkedaboutplayingprofessionalfootball,
whichmanyofthemthoughtwouldbea great
careeratfirst,”Lawrencerecalled.“Andbythe
endofJohn’s10-minutetalk,hehadthem
convincedtheyallwantedtogotoschoolto
studymath.”
Image: Will Kirk