Traveling different paths
If not for a high school class in psychology, Professor Matthew Nock, a 2011 recipient of the MacArthur “genius” grant, might have traveled a very different path. The New Jersey native grew up working alongside his father and two brothers in his father’s auto garage. It wasn’t until Nock attended Boston University, becoming the first college graduate in his family, that he learned about careers in science and academia. “I was instantly hooked,” said Nock, who went on to complete his Ph.D. in psychology at Yale University. But academic degrees aside, some familial roots remain grounded in Nock’s life, and his Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom motorcycle is proof of that. “My dad has two Harleys, both of my brothers have Harleys … it’s sort of just what you did,” he said, smiling. The admission that he owns a Harley surprised the 20 students who were chosen by lottery to join Nock and Harvard...