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Harvard Globetrotter
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Courtesy: Schools Building Communities
After playing basketball for Harvard University for two seasons, the Indianapolis
native suffered a career-halting knee injury. Had that not happened, Darryl
Finkton simply wouldn't have had the time to accomplish all that he has.
Even though "physical vigor" remains an element of inclusion, had
his on-court career continued no one could ever say if Darryl would have been
one of 32 Americans -- and the only one from Indiana -- chosen for
a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship this fall. Like former Indianapolis Mayor Richard
Lugar, now a U.S. Senator, did 55 years ago, Darryl will be off to the University
of Oxford next year, a great excuse to put off med school.
Darryl's has been a dramatic journey as his mother Stephanie, motivated
by providing a high-quality education for her children, searched far and wide
for the right location. "I went to tons of elementaries," he recently
told Dan McFeely of the Indianapolis Star. "I grew up around 42nd and
Keystone, but it seemed like every day we were moving."
All of her children would head to college while Darryl, who starred academically
and athletically at North Central High School, would ship off to Harvard, where
upon arrival, paired with Sangu Delle and discovered the huge needs of Ghana,
his roommate's homeland. Darryl and Sangu have since created a self-sustaining
water supply program, raised $50,000, secured the assistance of students and
professors by the dozen and visited Africa several times to bring relief.
In fact, Darryl's most recent visit began Tuesday evening with a flight
to Ghana. He will be working on his project to supply clean water to the locals
throughout the holiday season.
To read the rest of Finkton's story as seen on the Schools Building Communities website, please click here.
Also read: "Indy native earns prestigious Rhodes Scholarship" [Inidanapolis Star, 12/15/09]
2009 Rhodes Scholars Bios [PDF]
