Beating the Odds

Tyree Grant '18's journey to Dickinson inspires on national TV

By MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson

Tyree Grant '18's academic accomplishments are laudable in any context, but given the odds this young Dickinsonian has already overcome, it's the stuff of national news.

Separated from his mother and siblings at age 6, Grant lived in a series of foster homes before his placement with his future adoptive parents two years later. Under their guidance, he went on to become an A-average, advanced-placement high-schooler and a church volunteer with dreams of a legal career.

With a Dickinson scholarship, support from the Posse Foundation, a certificate from the Bronx School of Law and Finance and a law-office internship, this new Dickinsonian is well on the way to realizing his dreams.

This month, Grant shared his journey to Dickinson during a much-tweeted, much-posted segment of the TODAY show. He is the second member of Dickinson’s class of 2018 whose academic achievements took a national spotlight this year; fellow Posse member Estiven Rodriguez '18, a Dominican Republic native, garnered national attention when President Obama spoke publicly about him during the College Opportunity Summit.

Learn more

• Grant's TODAY show appearance
• Posse at Dickinson
• “When the President Talks About You in a Speech”
• “Turning Point”
• “Finding That Joy”

Published June 20, 2014