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Alex Mehfar, a senior economics major at the University, has come a long
distance from Tehran, where he spent the first five years of his life. But he
hasn't forgotten the lessons he learned along the way from his parents and
professors, who inspired him to use technology to tackle social problems.
Now Mehfar will have the chance to apply those lessons abroad as a Luce
Scholar. The scholarship, funded by the Henry Luce Foundation of New York,
allows students to spend 10 months living and learning in Asia. Mehfar plans to
work in the nonprofit sector to bring high-tech tools and skills to rural
populations there.
One of only 18 Luce Scholars nationwide, Mehfar is the 22nd Carolina student to
win the prestigious award since the program began in 1974.
Ali Alexandre Mehfar lived in Iran until 1983, when his family fled the
war-torn country and came to Cary. Life in the United States wasn't easy at
first. Mehfar recalled wanting to have nice clothes, a new car, and vacations
at the beach, "like the other kids." Instead of giving him such symbols of
success, his parents saved for two years to give him a computer, a tool for
success. "It was a lesson I never forgot," he said.
He went on to learn about race, poverty and politics during an honors seminar
at Carolina with Joel Schwartz, professor of political science. During that
time Mehfar worked at a community legal clinic, as part of the service-learning
requirement, and he read about the disparity between black and white students'
access to computer technology.
"Mind-numbing statistics about the poor turned into real people and direct
involvement," Mehfar said. It was a call to action.
Mehfar and some friends co-founded Students Engaged in Technology for the
Future (SET), designed to bridge the digital divide among local middle-school
students. The group supplied students with computers, used best-business
practices to find and customize available curricula, and taught students how to
surf the Internet, make a web page and create a spread sheet.
Mehfar had discovered something called social entrepreneurship - the
application of business resources and skills to tough social problems. Soon he
was studying with Rachel Willis, associate professor of American studies and
economics, and learning how computer technology could bolster the N.C. hosiery
industry. He co-founded SOCKHELP, an online program that identifies new and
sometimes unusual business opportunities for sock manufacturers, allowing them
to sell their products directly to retailers. The program has led to new
out-of-state sales, despite a depressed local market.
Last summer, Mehfar returned to Iran to learn about the impact of the 1979
revolution. "I witnessed first-hand how the Internet and satellite television
were slowly breaking the chokehold once held by the government," he said.
"The computer my parents gave me in middle school is long gone," Mehfar wrote
in his Luce application, "but the idea that technology can transform
individuals, organizations and society as a whole still resonates deep within
me. While much of today's technology is driven by the needs of the private
sector and the global economy, I see enormous possibilities in applying those
same tools to effect change within the public sector."
The Luce award is the latest of many achievements for Mehfar. He came to
Carolina with
a Morehead scholarship, which supported four years of study. He is also a
member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Order of the Golden Fleece, the University's
highest honor society, and he has been actively involved in student honor
courts and student government.
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