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Giving Back to Their City Newark’s “three doctors” helped one another through high school, Seton Hall and medical/dental school. Now they’re bringing their healing arts and inspirational message to the inner city where they grew up. BY SHANNON ROSSMAN ALLEN Nearly 14 years ago, three young men from Newark made an unusual pact at a science career day. They agreed to support each other throughout their academic careers to realize their ultimate dream of becoming doctors. They wanted better lives for one another, but they also were determined to give back to their community. As freshmen at University High School, Sampson (Sam) Davis, Rameck Hunt and George Jenkins — all Newark natives — were well aware of what the city’s tough reputation and neighborhoods meant for kids. Davis lived with his mother in Dayton Street public housing, while Jenkins and Hunt were raised by their mothers in singleparent homes. Arlene Hunt, Ella Jenkins and Ruth Davis worked extra part-time jobs to put their sons through college; each mother had to look to family members for additional financial support. Each one hoped and prayed for a different life for her son. These mothers knew what could happen to young men who had nothing positive on which to focus. The sons, too, knew the dangers all around them. Some of their friends dealt drugs, gambled and stole cars. Some ended up in prison or even dead. “I quickly realized this wasn’t the kind of life I wanted to have for myself. I wanted more,” Hunt says. So the three young men hit the books and concentrated on academics. 16 SETON HALL UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE They had similar personal and professional goals, likes and dislikes. “We clicked in a lot of different ways when we first met,” Hunt says. “It seemed natural to come up with a common goal and a way to support each other in achieving that goal.” Today, these three members of Seton Hall University’s Class of 1995 — Sampson Davis, M.D., Rameck Hunt, M.D., and George Jenkins, D.M.D. — have kept faith with their pact. In 1999, Hunt and Davis received their medical degrees from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and Jenkins received his dental degree from UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School. The road they took to their future began in a new neighborhood, not far from home. Seton Hall Reinforces the Pact Through a recruiter’s presentation in their high school, the trio first learned about Seton Hall and its Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Plus Program. “I can’t tell you who gave the presentation or what was said,” Jenkins says, “but I was ready to apply on the spot.” This pre-professional program offers its students a wide range of support services and activities, including individualized academic counseling, financial assistance and career guidance. These resources assist students in gaining access to, and being successful in, graduate and professional school. As a child, Jenkins — unlike most — actually looked forward to regular visits with his dentist. His affinity for dentistry made him the impetus behind the trio’s pact. “I was impressed with the pre-med/pre-dent program and what it had to offer. I pushed Rameck and Sampson to really look at the program because I wanted them to go to school with me,” Jenkins says. “I wanted to go together so we could make something of ourselves and bring something back to the kids of Newark.” Hunt was prepared to attend Howard University when Jenkins asked him to consider seriously what Seton Hall had to offer him as a future physician. It didn’t take much convincing. For these high school seniors, the Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Plus Program seemed to strengthen their pact. Another reinforcement came in the form of Carla Dickson. A student developmental specialist in the program since 1988, Dickson met the “three doctors,” as they now are affectionately known, in the summer of 1991. “I interview every student who comes into the program,” she says, “and I remember every one. George, Rameck and Sampson are exceptional men.” Dickson remembers Jenkins as a driven young man. “George’s career path never altered, which is odd for a college student,” she says. “He always knew he wanted to be a dentist. But there was no pressure for him to become a dentist — maybe that made it easier for him. “George was the one pushing the others to come to Seton Hall; he was sure this was the place for them,” Dickson continues. “Rameck was frustrated when I met him because he didn’t see how the finances could work. I can distinctly remember being impressed by his concern about how they all could afford school. He was focused, wise and sensitive to his friends’ needs.” “Sam was interesting, a rapid thinker, very business-minded,” Dickson adds. “He interviewed me when he first came
Rameck Hunt ’95, M.D. Having never ventured far from his tough neighborhood in Newark, he credits Seton Hall with saving him from what could have been a bad situation. George Jenkins ’95, D.M.D. Growing up, he looked forward to going to his dentist. In high school, he convinced his two friends to enroll in Seton Hall’s Pre-Medical/ Pre-Dental Plus Program. Sampson Davis ’95, M.D. His childhood home was in public housing. At Seton Hall, he came to trust Carla Dickson, the administrator who was impressed by his quick thinking and good business sense.
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Page 8 and 9: The Very Reverend Thomas R. Peterso
Page 10 and 11: to be fully staffed in the Spring S
Page 12 and 13: Vatican Secretary of State makes hi
Page 14 and 15: Afamiliar presence on campus, Monsi
Page 16 and 17: Kathleen Donohue Rennie, M.A. ’93
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Page 22 and 23: “The School of Diplomacy is uniqu
Page 24 and 25: “Our students must also understan
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Page 30 and 31: “Even when I’m playing tennis o
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Page 34 and 35: Peter P. Schwierk ’69 Gary A. Sco
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Page 38 and 39: 1950s Frank Poulos ’48/M.A. ’52
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Page 42 and 43: wife, Kelly A. (Magee) Sheppard ’
Page 44 and 45: J.D. ’98, of Lyndhurst, was named
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