I can’t play basketball or baseball, and I have never been able to. I’m also not a rocket scientist. George Edward Alcorn, Jr. is both. Born in Indianapolis, IN, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics from Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA. In addition to his amazing academic accomplishments, he earned 8 letters in basketball and football.
It only took him 9 months to earn his Master of Science in Physics, and apparently that wasn’t enough because he went on to earn a Ph.D in atomic and molecular physics (Howard University, 1967). There are three distinguishable qualities that make him a notable scientist:
(No) Excuses – Dr. Alcorn accomplished all of these achievements at the height of the Civil Rights movement. It would have been easy for this rocket scientist to declare the obstacles were too difficult to overcome or society was holding him back. He wasn’t rich, and he didn’t come from a well educated family. He worked hard overcame the obstacles thrown his way. What’s your excuse?
Athletics – He earned EIGHT letters in basketball and football. This feats came IN ADDITION to, not in spite of, his academic achievements.
Academics –
Slide rules –
Reach back –
He achieve this feat during the height of the Civil Rights movement. He then earned a Ph.D. in Atomic and Molecular Physics from .
He holds 8 patents in the United States and Europe. When people ask him, “So you think you’re some kind of rocket scientist?” He can answer, “As a matter of fact, I am.”
Scientifically Speaking, of course…
