“

[to his students]

There will be no free rides, no excuses. You already have two strikes against you: your name and your complexion. Because of these two strikes, there are some people in this world who will assume that you know less than you do. Math is the great equalizer... When you go for a job, the person giving you that job will not want to hear your problems; ergo, neither do I. You're going to work harder here than you've ever worked anywhere else. And the only thing I ask from you is ganas. Desire.

[Passing one boy, he ruffles up the students hair]

And maybe a haircut.

[Everyone laughs]

If you don't have the ganas, I will give it to you, because I'm an expert.