Meet Vernon Fleming

Vernon attends Cascade at the University of Chicago.

High school senior Vernon Fleming has an intense gaze, an easy laugh, and a tendency to correct his own grammar. His interests include but are not limited to the Millennium Prize problems, computer hardware, environmental conservation, Wikipedia, and Pokemon Master training.

Vernon, who lives in a Chicago neighborhood with a mean income of $18,000, dreams of attending a liberal arts college where he can major in computer science and minor in philosophy.

He was introduced to philosophy through free classes taught by University of Chicago students and supported by Learning Unlimited.

"I like philosophy because there aren’t any absolute answers," Vernon said. "All that matters is that you have a good idea and you argue it well. Philosophy’s an endless subject."

Vernon is only one of the approximately 6,000 students—from the East Bay to Back Bay, from the Colorado Rockies to Central Texas—who will attend a program supported by Learning Unlimited this year. It’s through your donations that students like Vernon are able to learn philosophy (or graph theory, or sushi-making, or swing dance, or Star Wars trivia) for free.

Learning Unlimited is conducting its critical December fundraising campaign to support our activities next year. Help us reach our expansion goals through a gift this holiday season as we wish Vernon the best of luck on his college and scholarship applications!