Mathematics professor Nathan Alexander, at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, is currently making rounds on social media after showing a simple yet powerful act of compassion towards his student who brought his newborn baby in his class.
Based on American media reports, the father, Wayne Hayer arrived in his Algebra class last Friday with his five-month-old daughter, Assata; after his professor told him without hesitation, that he could still attend their class if he was not able to find any babysitter.
According to Washington Post, Hayer didn’t plan on testing his teacher’s word, but his wife who usually stays home with their baby, was going to pick up Assata’s birth certificate and Hayer didn’t want her wife to struggle on public transportation while carrying their baby.
Prior to bringing his daughter in class, Hayer was caught using his cell phone during his mathematics class, he was texting his wife about watching their 5-month-old daughter the following day. The 34-year-old mathematics professor, usually has a strict “no texting” rule in class – but when his student explained the situation, the educator invited his student to bring his baby to class.
Nick Vaughn, one of Hayer’s classmate took some photos and shared it on social media last Friday and his post instantly went viral.
He wrote in a Facebook post:
“Not only did he teach the entire lecture with the child in his arms, but [he] also stayed after class helping those with questions about today’s lecture with the child still in his arms as seen in the pictures”
“It was this encounter that truly showed me the power and impact that [historically black colleges and universities] can have for the black community – for this professor to understand that life happens and sometimes there are just no ways around it,” he continued.
Meanwhile, David Thomas, president of the college where professor Alexander is working praised him for his kindness.
“Dr. Alexander is an example of what our professors are willing to do to help Morehouse College scholars to succeed in their academic pursuits,” David Thomas told The Washington Post.
Aside from the kind professor, he also admired the father of Assata, “I commend him, and senior Wayne Hayer, the father of the infant, for showing leadership and service, which is part of the mission of Morehouse College, and an expectation of Morehouse Men.”