Evangel Baxter TD ’28 knew from a young age that he wanted to pursue an education.
“I was one of six kids raised by a single mom,” says the Florida native. “So, I quickly learned that while I had the desire to attend college, the financial resources were never going to be there for me. I needed something outside of my familiar space to shape me into the person who could succeed at reaching that goal.”
In the Marines
Baxter found the connection he was looking for in the military. “I decided to join the Marine Corps, and it changed every aspect of my being,” he says. After his training, he reached beyond his initial appointment and obtained a secondary position to challenge himself even more.
In the Marines, Baxter gained valuable insights. “I learned that failure is a learning opportunity and a chance to grow,” he says. “You are not defined by it, you’re so much more than that.” His confidence grew with every new experience. “Being taken seriously by an institution like the Marine Corps meant a lot to me,” he says.
Approaching the end of his service, he found himself presented with the option of choosing between pursuing a career or an education. His gunnery sergeant, whom he still considers a mentor, recognized Baxter’s potential and encouraged him to aim high. These words inspired him to continue working toward his dream of attending college.
Becoming an Eli
After a stint at The Citadel Military College of South Carolina, Baxter applied to Yale, Columbia, Brown, and Dartmouth and was accepted at all four. Advice from his service school advisor helped him choose which to attend.
“He told me the schools I was considering were all excellent,” he says. “But if you really want to be academic, Yale is a great place to ask questions, dig in, and just ‘nerd out.’ And those were the words I was looking for!”
He adds, “For me, joining the military opened the door to higher education—and I continue to be grateful for that opportunity.”
Baxter matriculated through the Eli Whitney Students Program, designed for individuals without a bachelor’s degree who have been out of high school for at least five years. Applying the discipline and dedication of a Marine to academia, he immersed himself in his studies and declared a major in history—a subject he feels will have practical applications in the outside world. “I love history. I’m passionate about it,” he says.
Mentorship and Paying It Forward
At Yale, Baxter has built strong connections within the “phenomenal” Eli Whitney community and veterans’ organizations on campus.
He finds great satisfaction in talking to other veterans and inspiring them to embark on their own journeys, just as he did. “I will help them in any way I can to get into whatever school they choose—I want to really pay that forward. I truly believe people can achieve the things that they set their minds to.”
His drive to help others is drawn from his military training, he says. “The Marine Corps is all about mentorship because it’s about leadership. So, mentorship is embedded in there. You cannot grow unless you have someone leading you and being a part of that journey with you.”
He is dedicated to supporting anyone he can, including his fellow veterans and classmates, and beyond. “I would like to learn to be a resource to anyone who needs guidance, who’s a little bit lost and just feels like they could use some direction. I want to say, I know you can do it because I can do it.”
Considering life after Yale, Baxter muses, “I would love to be an advocate for veterans for the VA, or support the military from some alternative angle.” A long-term goal is to move to California with his wife, a medical officer in the Army whom he met when he was a Marine.
Baxter’s approach to the future reflects his ongoing commitment to learning: “As long as I can ask questions and figure it out, I’m here for it,” he says.