August 12, 2011

Alumnus publishes NYT crossword drawing from math major

Parker Lewis ’08 wrote a recent crossword puzzle in the New York Times, drawing inspiration from his math degree and Peace Corps service.

Parker Lewis ’08 wrote a recent crossword puzzle in the New York Times, drawing inspiration from his math degree and Peace Corps service.

While a student at Lewis & Clark, Lewis participated in an overseas program in East Africa—an adventure he says got him “hooked on Africa” and inspired him to return. In December, he completed a two-year stint with the Peace Corps in Namibia, where he taught math to grades seven to 10.

A longtime fan of crossword puzzles, Parker spent much of his free time in the rural Namibian village solving New York Times puzzles that his friends and family sent. He began writing his own puzzle while still in Africa, creating clues inspired by math lessons he taught his students.

Read more about Lewis and the story behind his puzzle on the New York Times crossword blog, “Wordplay,” or complete the crossword (subscription required).

Related content:

Lewis & Clark top producer of Peace Corps volunteers in new ranking

“Paka in Afrika,” Parker’s blog from his time in Namibia