YMCA: Northside
Age : 14
Date : 04/01/13
Bright and early the Black achievers woke, for another exciting day on the Black College Tour. After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, the black college tour students hopped on the bus headed towards Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas.
A little history about Paul Quinn College, is that it was founded by a small group of African Methodist Episcopal preachers in Austin, Texas on April 4, 1872. The school’s original purpose was to educate freed slaves and their offspring. In 1877, the College moved from Austin to Waco, Texas, and was renamed Waco College. The College was housed in a modest one-building trade school where newly freed slaves were taught the skills of blacksmithing, carpentry, tanning, and saddle work.
The school Mission is,"We provide a quality, faith-based education that addresses the academic, social, and Christian development of students and prepares them to be servant leaders and agents of change in their communities. Academic excellence lies at the heart of the College’s mission, along with the values of integrity, responsibility, accountability, fiduciary responsibility, and an appreciation of cultural diversity.
The school has a Living Philosophies: Paul Quinn's institutional ethos is "WE Over Me". The College's slogan is “Greatness…one step at a time” and the guiding principles are the “Four Ls of Quinnite Leadership”:
LEAVE places better than you found them.
LEAD from wherever you are.
LIVE a life that matters.
LOVE something greater than yourself
Since this time, Paul Quinn has been able to better position itself with work being done on campus. This small college won BCT College of Year in 2011.
Unloading the Bus:
Statue constructed by Delta-Sigma-Theta:
Team Photo Prior to the Tour:
Welcome to Paul Quinn with Chasity Hawkins
Tour through multi-purpose room:
As we made our way through the mulit-purpose room, we met Mr. Maurice West. He is the Dean of Men. He provided some quick life lessons in a short period of time. The focus of his conversation was on striving to be the best you can be and don't let anyone define you.
A few things that set teens off were the outdated campus, lack of prestigious sports teams, and the strict rules on dress code. There was fine for teens that didn't adhere to dress code requirements.
The Dorm Room
This mural in the library was powerful and depicted the journey to educate newly freed slaves and converting them into working business professionals.
The crest and the verse beneath the crest emboided the way education is connected to student life at Paul Quinn.
The college football program was discountinued as the football team was not living up to their academic expectations. The college football field is being used to grow vegetables for the community. The need to support the community was greater than the need continue to support the under performing football program.
The field has become a revenue generator. The college is working on building a grocery store.
The other amazing part of the trip was that the 34th President of the College Mr.Michael Sorrell changed his schedule on short notice and spent time talking to the teens. He was charrissmatic and fun. He shared with the teens some facts that identified the College has more internships and job opportunities than qualified teens to accept them.
The end of the trip concluded with a picture by the university sign.
The night meeting was fun and interesting. The chaperones played the best joke on the teens for April Fools Day. The teens in the audience were crying and were truly caught up in the joke. It was a fun day for all.
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