PHILADELPHIA Brian Kauffman failed 10th, 11th and twelfth grades. The height of his potential seemed to be his job as second assistant manager at a car wash. But on May 13th, Kauffman, now 29, will earn his bachelor degree in Classics from the University of Pennsylvania College of General Studies and receive the highest academic prize given by Penn to an adult undergraduate student.

Although obviously a bright child, Kauffman was diagnosed with a reading disability in the first grade, and never received the support necessary to overcome his academic obstacles. School held no interest for him, and he did poorly for thirteen years. As he explains, "I would have gladly traded all the times I heard f you only apply yourselffor one nd here how.

After high school, Kauffman pumped gas, washed cars and delivered pizza. "I felt I had something more to offer," he says, "but had no way to show it. Frustration and a growing sense of going absolutely nowhere, convinced me my way wasn working." Involvement in his local church led to a mentor, peer support and the catalyst he needed to move ahead. "I quit smoking, left an alcoholic girlfriend, sold the racecar I had built and been wasting all my time and money on, and went to community college."

Kauffman turned into a model student at Montgomery County Community College, graduating summa cum laude. His record allowed him to be admitted into Penn College of General Studies, Penn lifelong learning division, which provides the same degree as that earned by traditional students on campus. He chose Classics as a major, discovered a passion for Greek mythology (especially as written by Homer), and proved to be a brilliant student. He attended Penn full-time, while raising two young daughters with his wife. Family commitments are a priority for Kauffman who has recently laid aside his plans for law school in favor of a teaching career that will afford him more time with his family. He has applied to the Philadelphia School District for a position as a Literacy Teacher Intern, which will enable him to work directly with children in the classroom on literacy issues he understands only too well, while earning his teaching certification through Penn Graduate School of Education.

At the CGS Commencement Ceremony on May 13th, Kauffman will receive the Ronald J. Caridi Award, given annually to the student who best exemplifies a commitment to scholarship, hard work and the life of the mind.