Dr. Hawking: Modern Day Prometheus by Jeremiah

Dr. Hawking: Modern Day Prometheus by Jeremiah - September 2013 Scholarship Essay

I believe Stephen Hawking is the most inspirational academic role model in my life due to the following: his intelligence, his ability to overcome failure, and his ability to overcome adversity.  Dr. Hawking's intelligence is apparent; from his work in cosmology to his prediction that black holes emitted radiation, he has helped shaped the way the world thinks of the universe, and ultimately, us.  Dr. Hawking has also overcome failure.  Like Einstein, Dr. Hawking did not always excel in his studies, however he kept his dream alive of understanding the world around him and persevered.  This failure also came to light when his own theories regarding black holes and thermodynamics were found to be incomplete, and ultimately wrong.  Finally, Dr. Hawking has continued his work in spite of suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
 
I hope that I will have the ability to shape the world and our understanding of it, overcome the failures that I will one day experience, and overcome any and all obstacles with as much fervor and grace Dr. Hawking has.  Academicians are people who inspire, develop, shape, and build their students.  These people pass on and grow the knowledge we have of our world.  Without them, information and knowledge would have to be rediscovered and created anew with every generation.  I am honored to live in the time as someone so great as Dr. Hawking.