“I have to worry about not seeing my wife for a couple of days... there are guys who have to worry about not seeing their wives for months,” Evans says.

LESS RESENTMENT, MORE INTEREST

“Harvard was and remains the punch line of a joke,” Evans says, referring to the University’s perception among his military counterparts. Still, his experiences convince him that their idea of the school does not quite ring true.

As it was for so many others, Harvard had been little more than a fantasy for Evans before his acceptance. Prior to his arrival as a student, he was not sure exactly what to expect.

“I was told Harvard is an anti-military school, that I wouldn’t have anything in common with the people here,” Evans says of what he sees as one of the larger misconceptions people have of Harvard.

But the idea that Harvard harbors strong dislike for or resentment toward the military is not the case, Evans says.

From what he has seen, Evans says this view of Harvard is false. Administrators such as Dean of Freshmen Thomas A. Dingman ’67 and Evans’ Resident Dean enthusiastically reached out to offer him any additional support he may have needed as he transitioned to the College.

Students have reacted to his story more with interest and awe than with disdain or derision and have shown interest in learning more about his life and experiences, Evans says.

As someone whose career is dedicated to service, Evans says he has been impressed by his classmates’ own desire to do the same.

Despite students’ eagerness to serve, he says that he still wishes more of them would consider serving in the military.

“Harvard has the best and strongest minds. It would be a tragedy not to use that talent in pursuit of [defending America and its values],” he said.

Despite his desire to see more Harvard students in the military, Evans says he understands the reasons why students opt to serve elsewhere.

“People at Harvard are accustomed to freedom,” Evans says. “Going from the exploration and freedom you have here to the lifestyle of the military would be like a car crash.”

A FRESHMAN WITH A FAMILY

When first year students arrive in the fall, many are still wide-eyed kids, nervous, and a bit scared about what their college careers have in store for them—a set of concerns slightly removed from Evans.