South Middlesex Times

James Evans, a 71-year-old student at Rutgers University-Newark, is redefining what it means to be a senior on campus. An Africana Studies major, Evans reflects on his journey with humor and introspection. "My younger self would have laughed out loud," he says. Expelled from high school in 1972 for truancy, he credits his mother for steering him towards earning his GED.

Despite being older than most professors and classmates, Evans views his age as an advantage in the classroom. "I lived through the history we discuss," he notes. His academic journey resumed after decades of working in office services across New York and New Jersey while taking part-time courses at Essex County College. Inspired by learning, he earned an associate degree in 2024 before enrolling at Rutgers-Newark.

Professor Wendell Marsh praises Evans as an "absolute treasure" who enriches classroom discussions with his life experiences. This semester, Evans explores new areas such as hip-hop music despite its unfamiliarity to him.

Evans' life has been marked by resilience and adaptability. He began working in office services after earning his GED and later served briefly in the Army during the early 1980s. Returning to civilian life, he built a career that included significant roles at Thomson Financial and McKinsey.

Active in his community, particularly through New Hope Baptist Church, Evans delivered reflections on Black history for over two decades. His educational pursuits began anew at Essex County College through an employee education program but shifted focus from journalism to Africana Studies due to program changes.

Living modestly in senior housing, Evans dedicates himself to studying and staying informed about current events while cherishing literary classics. Friends and family admire his commitment; they eagerly anticipate celebrating his graduation.

Enrolled in four courses this semester, Evans continues to attend classes nearly every day. "I don't know how much longer I've got left," he admits but remains determined to preserve history both academically and within his community.