Devin Gaines
Encyclopedia
Devin Thomas Gaines was a college student at the University of Connecticut who attracted international media attention by earning five Bachelor's degrees simultaneously on May 6, 2007, a historic achievement for an African-American.
. In addition, the University of Connecticut awarded Gaines a leadership scholarship.
Gaines explained the start of his early academic childhood in an interview after college graduation. "My father brought home a broken computer and I was able to put it together. When he saw that I did that, he decided to take me to a community center. There I met up with a woman, Kathryn Murdock, who became an inspiration in my (academic) life."
. A Bachelor's degree requires a single major and 120 credits. Gaines had five majors and five minors over a five-year span and completed 276 credits and nearly 100 courses, more than double the university requirement. He graduated on May 6, 2007, earning five Bachelor's degrees with an overall 3.2 grade point average.
His average course load was 21–24 credits a semester, though in only one semester he went as high as 38 credits. During his college years, Gaines averaged only three hours of sleep a night. "I don't get as much sleep as the normal person," Gaines explained in an interview after graduation. He was a member of Psi Chi
and Upsilon Pi Epsilon
Honor Societies, and had been accepted for a master's degree in Educational Communication and Technology at New York University
. he had planned to study for a PhD or EdD in Education after earning his Master's. During his college years, Gaines also studied social anthropology and linguistics in New Zealand
, and fiber-optic costume designing in Israel
. In addition to academic accomplishments, a healthy Gaines lost over 300 pounds during his college years, and was honored and recognized by 100 Black Men of Stamford. An eccentric who once dyed his hair pink, Gaines was known as both a bookworm and a social animal among his friends. He lived with his mother in Stamford. Gaines was working after graduation as an information technology associate for Pension Associates, a tax consulting firm.
, in Blakeslee Pond, a gravel pit quarry on private property, while swimming with friends. The property had concrete barriers around it and 'no trespassing' signs posted (due to an ongoing problem). Gaines' mother said he did not know how to swim. The Connecticut
Pre-Engineering Program (in which Gaines participated in after-school programs in high school before attending University of Connecticut
) has established a scholarship program in Gaines's memory for needy students at Stamford High School that show potential at the University of Bridgeport
. The University of Connecticut has named its new Student Involvement and Activities Center on the Stamford Campus after Devin.
Early life
Gaines grew up in poverty in Stamford with his mother and brother. His father died when he was twelve. He spent much time studying and learning at Yerwood Community Center, where its director, Kathryn Murdock, instilled in the boy an appreciation for the value of an education. Suffering from obesity, and taunted by classmates, Devin surrounded himself with books. Devin attended King Low Heywood Thomas School and Stamford High School, graduating from the latter. At KLHT, Thomas was active in several clubs, including math and debate. He contributed heavily to school plays and made a few close friends before transferring to Stamford High School. During his time there, he acquired advanced computer skills as a member of a Cisco Networking Academy. He also sang tenor with 'The Madrigals', a capella singing group at Stamford High School. Upon graduation from Stamford High School, he was awarded a $29,000 scholarship to attend University of ConnecticutUniversity of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
. In addition, the University of Connecticut awarded Gaines a leadership scholarship.
Gaines explained the start of his early academic childhood in an interview after college graduation. "My father brought home a broken computer and I was able to put it together. When he saw that I did that, he decided to take me to a community center. There I met up with a woman, Kathryn Murdock, who became an inspiration in my (academic) life."
Life at The University of Connecticut
Between September 2002 and May 2007, Gaines attended University of ConnecticutUniversity of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
. A Bachelor's degree requires a single major and 120 credits. Gaines had five majors and five minors over a five-year span and completed 276 credits and nearly 100 courses, more than double the university requirement. He graduated on May 6, 2007, earning five Bachelor's degrees with an overall 3.2 grade point average.
His average course load was 21–24 credits a semester, though in only one semester he went as high as 38 credits. During his college years, Gaines averaged only three hours of sleep a night. "I don't get as much sleep as the normal person," Gaines explained in an interview after graduation. He was a member of Psi Chi
Psi Chi
Psi Chi is the International Honor Society in Psychology, founded in 1929 for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology. With over 1,050 chapters, Psi Chi is one of the largest honor societies in the United States...
and Upsilon Pi Epsilon
Upsilon Pi Epsilon
Upsilon Pi Epsilon : International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines, is the first and only existing one of its kind....
Honor Societies, and had been accepted for a master's degree in Educational Communication and Technology at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. he had planned to study for a PhD or EdD in Education after earning his Master's. During his college years, Gaines also studied social anthropology and linguistics in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, and fiber-optic costume designing in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. In addition to academic accomplishments, a healthy Gaines lost over 300 pounds during his college years, and was honored and recognized by 100 Black Men of Stamford. An eccentric who once dyed his hair pink, Gaines was known as both a bookworm and a social animal among his friends. He lived with his mother in Stamford. Gaines was working after graduation as an information technology associate for Pension Associates, a tax consulting firm.
Academic majors and minors
Three degrees were awarded by The College of Liberal Arts, one in fine arts, and one in engineering by The University of Connecticut:- Cinema, Culture and Cognition B.A.(Individualistic major)
- Cognitive Studies B.A.
- Computer Science B.S.
- Linguistic Psychology B.A.
- Theater Studies B.A.
- Business (minor)
- Communications (minor)
- Film Studies (minor)
- Mathematics (minor)
- Production Design (minor)
Death and memorial
On July 10, 2007, Gaines accidentally drowned in Deep River, ConnecticutDeep River, Connecticut
Deep River is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,629 at the 2010 census. The town center is also designated by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place...
, in Blakeslee Pond, a gravel pit quarry on private property, while swimming with friends. The property had concrete barriers around it and 'no trespassing' signs posted (due to an ongoing problem). Gaines' mother said he did not know how to swim. The Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
Pre-Engineering Program (in which Gaines participated in after-school programs in high school before attending University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
) has established a scholarship program in Gaines's memory for needy students at Stamford High School that show potential at the University of Bridgeport
University of Bridgeport
The University of Bridgeport is a private, independent, non-sectarian, coeducational university located on the Long Island Sound in the South End neighborhood of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The University is fully Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges...
. The University of Connecticut has named its new Student Involvement and Activities Center on the Stamford Campus after Devin.