Campus SpotlightIgor Torres by Eryn Conyers
For recent graduate Igor Torres, basketball was his ticket to college. Torres made his way to the U.S. from Belo Horizonte, Brazil on a basketball scholarship. Shooting hoops is also what brought Torres to York College. “I’ve played basketball since I was 9 years old,” said Torres. “I’ve played in many different places and met a lot of different people in that process. Basketball has shaped me into who I am.” After playing for alumni Leonard Epps (‘11) at a small Christian college in Montana, he transferred to YC to play the game he loved and pursue his education. “I was looking for a school where I could continue my education, and he helped me through the process,” Torres explained. “Coach Epps always had a lot of good things to say about YC, and he gave me the confidence that this would be a good place for me.” Playing basketball wasn’t the only thing on Igor’s mind. He had big dreams of getting into medical school after college. But in his first year at YC, he found himself having doubts about his future career path. As a first-generation college student, he wasn’t sure he would be successful enough to make it. Torres was encouraged by Milton Eckhart M.D., associate professor of biology, to keep pushing forward. “Dr. Eckhart told me to give my best and not be scared of pursuing what I want,” expressed Torres. “Even if what I wanted seemed to be hard, he told me I had what it takes, and that gave me a lot of confidence.” Torres spent as many hours in the library as he spent on the court. His persistence and hard work, along with the support of the science department, led Torres to not only accelerate but succeed. This past spring he graduated summa cum laude and was accepted into Saint James School of Medicine. “The science faculty at YC is full of people who really love what they do,” said Torres. “They love their field of studies, and they love to teach. It was easy to build a relationship with the professors because it was evident that they cared about us.”
The science faculty had good things to say about Torres as well. "Igor is one of those students who makes you enjoy teaching,” comments Gail Miller, professor of biology. “He has a kind and easy-going nature which shines through in all he does. He also
"Even if what I wanted seemed to be hard, he told me I had what it takes, and that gave me a lot of confidence.” gives great focus and goes beyond what is expected in his discipline of study. I look forward to hearing about his career unfolding in the medical profession." Torres is grateful for his time at YC and expressed that he would miss the people. “I made many friends here at YC, and I will miss them the most.” While at YC, Torres was a Resident Assistant for Student Development and a part of the Math & Science Club. Torres has decided to seek out opportunities to gain research experience before heading to medical school. n
(top) Igor, on the far right, served as an RA for Gibbs Men's Apartments this year along with seniors Davi Mendonca, Cole Satterfield, and Cameron Merrill.
(left) From behind the arc, Igor sinks a three-point jumper.
(above) Covid-19 added some twists to the 2020 Natural Science Seminar class, but thanks to video conferencing, even the seniors who couldn't be on campus had an opportunity to give their presentation. SUMMER 2020 |
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