MIT grad visits Phoenix High

Published 12:56 pm Monday, August 22, 2011

Phoenix High School students listened intently recently as Reed Freeman, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and chemical engineer of 30 years, shared his path to educational and career success with them.

Freeman discussed growing up in Boston and starting his schooling in a two-room wooden schoolhouse. He shared his childhood excitement about his school burning to the ground because he thought that meant he would no longer have to go to school. No luck though — the teachers and students were just moved to another location.

He then shared the turning point in his education when in high school he fell in love with math and science. After high school, he continued in his studies of math and science by attending MIT. He then began his more than 30-year career in the engineering field.  

Freeman explained to the students that because of his taking advantage of the educational opportunities that came his way he had been able to live a life full of travel, adventure and success. He talked about how when he was young that even though he did not know what he wanted to study or do educationally that his teachers and family encouraged and guided him to opportunities that made his life much better.  

Freeman shared with the students the importance of continuing their educational studies beyond high school. He stated that in today’s job environment a worker must be highly skilled to find employment. He emphasized that the better educated each of them can become the better they will be able to care for their families in the future.

Freeman said that after 30 years in the workplace he retired and returned to school to study for five more years. However, this time, instead of math and science, his studies were in theology. He explained that he felt more and more called to ministry work. So, after retirement, he attended seminary and became a minister. In fact, for the past year he has served as the interim rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Dalton.

In the coming weeks Freeman will return to his home in Jacksonville, Fla., where he will teach chemistry and math at a local college. Additionally, he will become rector of a church about two miles from his home.

As a final note, Freeman made it a point to emphasize how he still is learning and studying every day of his life. Lifelong learning is what we all must do to stay active and employable.