Morehouse Val is white--Interesting story

barrons · 05-12-2008, 10:28 AM

Morehouse College to graduate first white valedictorian in 141-year history

prefect · 05-12-2008, 10:30 AM

Interesting story. It seems like he had a multicultural upbringing and that he enjoyed Morehouse and had no trouble fitting in.

StickerShock · 05-12-2008, 12:04 PM

Historically black colleges offer minority scholarships to kids who aren't black. Don't know if all do, but it could be another option for parents looking for college $$$.

LakeWashington · 05-12-2008, 03:52 PM

I read the story in the Atlanta newspaper [ajc.com]. The kid seems definitely unique and popular. And his Morehouse pedigree resulted in a great job waiting for him on Wall Street. He won't be the first Morehouse alumni on Wall Street, and likely not the last either. All that success for much less than Ivy League tuition. Hmmm.

Colbert Nation · 05-13-2008, 08:54 AM

The Associated Press: 2008 valedictorian is different kind of 'Morehouse Man'

Quote:

ATLANTA (AP) — From his first day at Morehouse College — the country's only institution of higher learning dedicated to the education of black men — Joshua Packwood has been a standout.

His popularity got him elected dorm president as a freshman. His looks and physique made him a fashion-show favorite. His intellect made him a Rhodes Scholar finalist. His work ethic landed him a job at the prestigious investment banking firm Goldman Sachs in New York City.

But it's his skin that has made all of this an anomaly. This month, Packwood is set to take the stage and address his classmates as the first white valedictorian in Morehouse's 141-year history.

I just wanted to post this story to point out the story of someone who turned down the Ivies to go to a different kind of institution than we usually pay attention to here on CC. And hey, he even got to into i-banking. So those of you that didn't get into ivies and have i-banking aspirations, there is still hope.

Anyway, congratulations to Packwood, it must've been difficult to go into an environment where you are a natural outsider and thrive as he did. The ability to blend in and assimiliate will help him out in life.

Though, you can dissect this story in any way you wish. I just thought that I'd post it.

madville · 05-13-2008, 11:18 AM

Great story. One of many things that make one proud to be American. Striving for a "more perfect union."

FLVADAD · 05-13-2008, 01:22 PM

^^^ Yep. Great article and inspirational as well.

gadad · 05-13-2008, 02:35 PM

Here in Georgia, being a "Morehouse Man" is a highly-respected distinction. It's a great story, made even better by how fully Josh was embraced by the college and the other students.

jym626 · 05-13-2008, 02:45 PM

As interesting as this story was, I was actually more struck by this article 'Sense of being' paved path toward graduation | ajc.com. about the young man from California, with college professor parents, who chose to stick it out at Morris Brown, despite the school losing virtually everything due to horrific embezzlement by the administration, and was one of 31 who just graduated. There are only about 50 or so students still enrolled.

FLVADAD · 05-13-2008, 04:17 PM

When I was traveling last week I came across a charter bus with several students dressed in shirts and ties. Most were Black, but I'd guess maybe 10-20% were white. Turns out it was Savannah State's baseball team headed to Florida State to play a 4 game series. Savannah State is an HBCU and I remember being surprised at the number white students on their baseball team.

gadad · 05-13-2008, 06:32 PM

Across the state of Georgia and perhaps throughout the South, baseball and soccer have evolved into the "white" sports and basketball and football the "black" sports. College baseball teams below the Top 25 level are often composed almost entirely of white student-athletes, and schools like Savannah State find they need to recruit white athletes to be competitive. It's my impression that there are relatively few white students at the campus other than student-athletes; there is no soccer program there.

LakeWashington · 05-13-2008, 09:09 PM

In 2007 EPSN broadcast a story about white varsity baseball players at HBCU schools. Apparently this developement today is unremarkable and not unique.

2collegewego · 05-13-2008, 10:01 PM

I think I have at least once here recommended that a white student look into HBCU. The tuition is cheap. The reputations of several are excellent. And I've been told-- as StickerShock posted-- that there's minority $ for white students who attend.

When people have posted about aa, I've also mentioned this because aa is about *diversity* and most top colleges value diversity. To a HBCU, that means being white. This may be an admissions push for someone or it may be a possible way to earn an affordable 4-year degree.