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alumni/ae page |
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September 2002 On the court and off, Bernard is driven. He never fears to take the difficult three-point shot. At the tender age of 25, Bernard is already a nuclear engineer at the Dominion Millstone Nuclear Power Station in Connecticut. He credits his parents and many influences at BFS for getting him where he is today. When Bernard recently discovered his 5th grade journal from Mr. Norregaard’s English class he found a section where he had to write what he wanted to be when he grew up. What did he write? “An engineer.” This ambition was cultivated by BFS’s very own Hyacinth Foster. “When I needed to introduce kids to other areas of science, one project I selected was for the class to design a bridge,” she says. “The entire project, including design, blueprints, and construction, should have taken a month, but Bernard wouldn’t quit. He was relentless, often staying late until he thought it was perfect. He always went the extra mile. When he was class president, his class had to be the best. He is still like that with everything in his life. There isn’t anything he can’t do if he puts his mind to it.” After graduating BFS in 1995, Bernard attended the University of Rochester, where he was pre-med with a concentration in biology. Right before his senior year, he made the difficult decision to switch his major to chemical engineering. This change in course required an extra year to complete his undergraduate degree. He was very active on campus in various organizations and social issues. He became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, where he went on to become chapter president, area director, and voted brother of the year in 1999. He was an active member of the Black Student Union and National Society of Black Engineers. Bernard is currently earning his Master’s Degree in Production and Operations Management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, which he hopes to complete by December 2003. Working at a nuclear power facility has been rewarding but also challenging. Cindy Crawford, a distant neighbor to the power station on the southern tip of Long Island Sound, has linked her celebrity name to an expanding grassroots opposition to nuclear plants, and in the process, has heightened the visibility of the controversial reputation of nuclear power facilities. Already tight security measures have been strengthened following September 11th. Bernard wasn’t always the model student. In pursuit of his other passion, basketball, he frustrated many staff members—especially Manny and Bobby—by having the keys to the gym, which he used whenever he felt the need for a good game. Those of you who attended Homecoming 2002 witnessed Bernard’s action on the court. Play hard, show no mercy, and play to win characterize his style. Bernard does promise to return the “missing” championship banner at his 10th reunion. He is a licensed personal trainer and works part-time at Connecticut’s largest gym, WOW. He coaches basketball for 8 to 10 year olds once a week in the fall and spring. So where does he go from here? After completing his masters, Bernard plans to work for several years before pursuing an MBA. Why? “Because someday I plan to be the CEO of my own company.” He cultivates his dream of being an entrepreneur as a founding member of the Black and Gold Group, LLC, where he serves on the executive board. Bernard has remained very connected to his BFS friends and is actively assisting in organizing an event in January for members of the Classes of 1982-2002. This event will focus on an assembly program for the juniors and seniors. Alumni will share their post-BFS experiences, share words of wisdom, and offer possible internship opportunities. The assembly will be followed by an alumni/student basketball game. Bernard has never forgotten his BFS values and continues to give back to the community. Wherever his path may lead, we have no doubt he will succeed. |
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