Note: This story originally appeared in AlumnInsider, the Penn State Alumni Association's monthly member e-newsletter.UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Have you ever encountered a math problem that confused you, or came across an equation or algebraic topic that you didn’t quite understand? Sure, everyone has. Everyone except John Urschel, the two-time Penn State graduate and Academic All-American offensive lineman math genius who, during his career as a Nittany Lion, was honored with the James E. Sullivan Award and the William V. Campbell Award, two prestigious honors.
The Sullivan Award goes to the nation’s top amateur athlete — not just in football, but in all sports — while the Campbell Award recognizes a college football player who combines academic and athletic success with outstanding community leadership.
OK, perhaps there was a time when Urschel didn’t surgically dissect mathematical formulas, but if there was, it was early in life. Like in kindergarten. He tutored other students as far back as middle school and high school and continued helping others when he arrived at Penn State, tutoring many teammates as well as student-athletes from other teams.
The word around the University Park campus was that Urschel understood math like an expert and could communicate it in a way that made sense for others. Ever since he can remember, Urschel has helped bridge the gap between complex formulas and people eager to learn.
That trend continues, even as Urschel embarks on his professional football career. He’s now connecting with kids in the Baltimore community, where he plays professionally after the Ravens selected him in last year’s NFL draft.
“Math is something I've always been passionate about,” Urschel said, “and anything I can do to help inspire young people, and also help them understand how important math is, that’s always worth my time.”
Urschel has teamed with the Mathnasium of Roland Park, near the Ravens’ facility in Maryland, on a new scholarship program, which will award six-month scholarships to area high school students. Urschel will choose the inaugural honoree and personally notify the winner; the scholarship winner will also have a one-on-one tutoring session with Urschel.