Devin Gaines

Devin Thomas Gaines (July 16, 1984 – July 10, 2007) was a college student at the University of Connecticut who attracted media attention by earning five bachelor's degrees simultaneously on May 6, 2007. Months later, he died in a drowning accident.

Early life

Gaines, from Stamford, Connecticut, was raised in childhood by his single mother in public housing after his father died of a heart attack when Gaines was nine years old. He attended both King Low Heywood Thomas School and Stamford High School, graduating from the latter. After high school graduation, Gaines was accepted at the University of Connecticut, where he was the recipient of a University of Connecticut leadership scholarship, and a scholarship from the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

Gaines then matriculated at the University of Connecticut in 2002, graduating five years later in May 2007 with five bachelor's degrees. During his time at Connecticut, Gaines completed 276 credits, earning bachelor's degrees in computer science, cognitive science, theater studies, linguistics, psychology, and an individualized degree in cinema, culture and cognition.

While at Connecticut, Gaines was inducted as a member of the Psi Chi and Upsilon Pi Epsilon honor societies, and had been accepted for a master's degree in educational communication and technology at New York University.

Career

At the time of his death, Gaines was working as an information technology associate for Pension Associates, a tax consulting firm.