Dobbs Ferry Resident, Blind Since Age 5, Is College Valedictorian

DOBBS FERRY, NY — During his four years at Manhattan College, John Evans has published five different literary works, including two of his own poetry collections, performed at open mic nights and is well-liked by his classmates and professors. This month, he will graduate as an English major, with minors in history medieval studies.

The Dobbs Ferry resident is the college's valedictorian and will speak at the May 19 commencement on behalf of the class of 2017.

Remarkably, Evans has done all of this without having the gift of sight, which he lost when he was 5.

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“I am humbled receiving this great honor,” Evans said. “It is an honor representing this community of dedicated and courageous individuals. I am blessed to graduate alongside such excellent and compassionate peers.”

Growing up in Westchester, Evans said he believed his loss of sight at a young age was due to a genetic disorder. However, in 2014, while a student at Manhattan, he learned his blindness was actually the result of a brain tumor.

Faced with a difficult surgery ahead, Evans remained in school, crediting the College’s Specialized Resource Center and his professors and friends for their support and flexibility while he dealt with a year’s worth of medical visits and tests.

A year later, Evans had published another collection of his poetry and prose, and earned Dean’s List honors, which he has received every semester of his college tenure.

Last year, Evans completed a Branigan Scholars Grant under the guidance of Jennifer Edwards, Ph.D., chair of the College’s history department.

Evans is a member of Epsilon Sigma Pi, the most prestigious college-wide honor society on campus, and was recently inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society.

After graduation, Evans plans to pursue a postgraduate degree in medieval literature with aspirations to become a teacher.

Manhattan College will award approximately 700 undergraduates with degrees in 40 major fields of study from its Schools of Liberal Arts, Business, Education and Health, Engineering and Science.

Mutual of America Life Insurance Company Chairman Thomas J. Moran, class of 1974, will deliver the keynote address at the College’s Undergraduate Commencement and will also receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at the ceremony.

Photo caption: John Evans. Photo credit: Submitted.