Lack of sight enhances senior's memory
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It's not uncommon to see senior Greg Rogers shuffling across campus, his curly red hair blowing in the breeze, his hands clenching a white cane. As he plods along, he taps the sidewalks with his walking stick, using it to find his way.
Rogers is blind, but manages his academic career as successfully as any other student.
Watch KNBU-TV's interview with Greg Rogers.
Lee Green, professor of business and economics, says he was nervous about teaching a blind student.
"It's interesting because before I ever had Greg Rogers in class I had a lot of anxiety about whether I was going to be able to provide him with everything he needed," Green said.
But within a couple of weeks, Green forgot Rogers was blind.
Before ambling into the classroom at the launch of each semester, Rogers briefs his professors about his disability. He tells them ways they can adapt, and lets them know it isn't that bad.
Lee says he had to make minor adjustments to his lesson plans because he likes to build around PowerPoint and Rogers can't see slide content. But making up for what he can't see with what he hears, Rogers' memory is packed with information.
"His memory skills are so honed, and his auditory skills, that he just remembers every nuance of everything you say in class," Green said.
Rogers doesn't believe he's much different from other students, and he doesn't want anyone to view him as unapproachable.
"Stick out your hand. Let me know your hand's out there. I'll shake it," he said. "Just treat me like anyone else."
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