Three degrees of graduation

On Commencement Day, George Kaufman took the triple crown: a bachelor of arts, a bachelor of science and a master of science

by Kristen Cole

Undergraduate George Kaufman wanted to gain some solid research experience to clinch his ability to get into the graduate school of his liking, so he added master’s requirements and tripled his degree experience.

On Memorial Day, for the first time in two decades since Brown began to keep records electronically – and quite possibly the first time ever – the University awarded three degrees to one individual simultaneously.

“Every once in a while – like between the end of midterms to finals time – I’d wonder why I put myself in the position to have to do so much,” said Kaufman, 23, who completed all of the requirements in five years. “But I like working hard and I like a challenge.”

Kaufman received a Bachelor of Arts in classics, a Bachelor of Science in chemical physics and a Master of Science in chemistry.

Graduating magna cum laude, Kaufman will do graduate studies in chemistry at Harvard University beginning in the fall.

Admittedly, “sleep was a rare commodity,” said Kaufman, although he limited the “all-nighters” to two in all his years at the University. He took five courses per semester for four semesters instead of the usual four courses a semester.

“It was a lot of work, but it’s just the kind of person I am…. I’ve always done a lot.”

Brown’s strength in the humanities as well as the sciences was the reason he chose the University instead of others that would have provided a focus on one or the other, Kaufman said.

“He is obviously a very bright young man and very driven,” said Matthew Zimmt, professor of chemistry who served as Kaufman’s research adviser on a project focused on electron transfer. “Brown students are extraordinary and George is pushing the outer envelope of extraordinary.”

Beyond the classroom, Kaufman embraced the physical demand of track practice throughout his first four years – upward of two hours a day to compete for Brown in the 100-yard dash and 200-yard dash.

He also worked at the circulation desk in the Science Library throughout all of his five years, operated the picture art of the scoreboard at the home football games each fall, and tutored other students.

And, Kaufman did not neglect his personal life. He set aside time for his fiancee, a young woman who grew up near his hometown of Rochester, N.Y. Kaufman is engaged to marry Katherine McParland, who graduated from the University of Rhode Island earlier this month. (She did most of the commuting in the relationship, he added.)