More on Red, Hot & Snazzy

Quinnites including Angela Hodges, new Development VP Connie Boyd, President Sorrell, Ryan Carrington, Patrick Hillard  and Cecilyn Bryan enjoy UNCF's Red, Hot & Snazzy.

Quinnites at Red, Hot & Snazzy

A Few Happenings on the Yard

It's been a busy week on the Yard.  Here are just a few of the things that have occupied the Quinnite Nation:

Pastor G comes to the Yard: Pastor Tyrone Gordon of St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church will be the speaker in Chapel tomorrow.  Pastor G is quite familiar with our campus.  He is a honors graduate of our "Clifftop Cousin", Bishop College.  We are excited to have him bring us a word.

Rich Nichols & Tuesdays in February:  Lawyer, Agent, Entrepreneur, and Politico.  All of these titles can be used to describe our speaker last night, Rich Nichols.  Nichols closed out our Tuesdays in February program by providing an excellent example of how to live a life that matters.  Last night's program was a partnership between the Lambda Nu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and my office.  Quinnite Natalie Scott did an excellent job of organizing the program for her sorority.  

Conversations with the Quinnites: Next Tuesday, our new lecture series- "Conversations with the Quinnites"- debuts. This program is an extension of our Black History Month lecture series- "Tuesdays in February".  Our first speakers will be the husband and wife Olympian team of Obadele Thompson and Marion Jones-Thompson.  The program will begin at 7:00 pm in the Grand Lounge of the Student Union Building.  It will be closed to the media.

Crystal DeBose continues to dominate RRAC:  For the second time in the last month, Quinnite baller Crystal DeBose is named the "Player of the Week" in the Red River Athletic Conference.

Lawrence Jenkins Exhibit: Photographer Lawrence Jenkins opened his fantastic exhibit of pictures from President Obama's Inauguration.  Proceeds from the exhibit benefitted the students at Paul Quinn College.

Houston Hosts the Quinnite Movement: Last weekend, I joined Quinnite students Brandon Miller and Ryan Carrington and staff members Lee Williams and Maurice West on a road trip to visit supporters of the Quinnite Movement in Houston.  We visited the outstanding staff and senior class at Yates High School and members of our alumni chapter in Houston on Friday.  On Saturday morning, I was the speaker at the Church Without Walls Men's Prayer Breakfast for Rev. Ralph D. West, Sr. (a member of the Bishop 5+1 Revival).  These opportunities allowed us to touch over 1200 potential members of the Quinnite Nation.  

Triathlon Training: What was I thinking signing up for this?  The running and biking workouts are coming along nicely.  The swimming, however, is a completely different story.  Monday night at our group swimming session, I was placed in a lane with two other people (one of whom was comfortably past my age and significantly shorter).  By the end of the hour workout, she had crushed any self-esteem that I had related to my swimming abilities.  Please keep me in your prayers as I return to the pool tonight.

I'll talk to you soon and remember to:

Leave places better than you found them;

Live a life that matters;

Lead from where you are; and

Love something greater than yourself

Take care,

President Sorrell

Triathlon Update

Quinnites-

Today marked the official first day of triathlon training.  I was joined by students Frances Hood (Miss Paul Quinn) and Austin Howell and staffers Maurice West and Angela Hodges.  We met the rest of the All Tri team at White Rock Lake for a 30 minute run.  I'm happy to report that everyone lived.  Perhaps the greatest threat to our efforts was the 45 degree temperature (and Austin's running tights- smile).

Tomorrow's workout is a one hour bike ride.  We'll resume our group work on Monday at the JCC for a team swim.  I hope you'll grab your swim trunks and join us.  Remember, we are raising money for the school and awareness for the fight against the disparity in cardiovascular care in minority communities.  What could be better?

I look forward to seeing you on the road.

Take care,

President Sorrell

It's a Great Week to be Jasmine Hall

Quinnite Jasmine Hall is on a roll this week.  In addition to her being selected as Paul Quinn College's "Miss UNCF" for 2009, on Monday Jasmine was notified that she had been awarded a Verizon Foundation Scholarship for the 2008-09 year.  The scholarship totaled almost $5,000.

Please join me in congratulating this wonderful Quinnite for her wonderful week.

Take care,

President Sorrell

Happenings on the Yard

Greetings Quinnites-

We've been busy on the Yard this week.  In addition to our normal efforts to improve the campus and campus life, the following took place:

Ms. UNCF: Congratulations to Quinnite junior Jasmine Hall (pictured with PQC Director of Alumni Patricia Johnson), our 2009 Ms. UNCF.  Quinnite Hall did an amazing job raising monies for UNCF through her prodigious fundraising efforts.  Jasmine is a Business Administration Major with a concentration in Accounting.  

First Annual Kelley/Witherspoon Alumni Banquet: Quinnite Alums Kevin Kelley and Nuru Witherspoon, partners in the uber-successful law firm of Kelley/WItherspoon, hosted their first annual alumni banquet this past Friday.  Quinnites Kelley & Witherspoon raised over $11,000 towards the renovation of the Student Support Services Center.  Please join me in congratulating Kevin and Nuru on their generous and undying Quinnite spirit.

Tuesdays in February: Dr. Michael L. Davis was last night's speaker at the latest installment of our Black History Month Program "Tuesdays in February".  Dr. Davis is a Managing Director at JP Morgan Chase and a civic stalwart.  In addition to his work with the Greenhill School and the Executive Leadership Council, Michael is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the Dallas Symphony.  His message of fiscal responsibility combined with the power networking and reading the biographies of important people provided a primer to the young Quinnites in attendance.  Our upcoming speakers are KPMG partner French Taylor and Hollywood agent to the stars Andrea Nelson Meigs.

Quinnite Triathlon Team Takes Flight: Dallas is beginning to take notice of the new Paul Quinn College Triathlon Team.  In yesterday's Dallas Morning News, reporter Leslie Garcia wrote an article about our quest to use fitness to raise money for the college and to raise awareness about the inadequacy of cardiovascular care in underserved communities.  You can read about this aspect of the Quinnite Movement at www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/healthyliving/fitness/stories/DN-nh_alltri_0210gd.ART.State.Edition1.4c396d7.html.  You can also read more about our efforts on the All Tri website- www.alltri.org.  

Quinnite Procter is Player of the Week: Congratulations to Quinnite Ashley Procter on being named the Player of the Week in the Red River Conference.  In the 91-53 thrashing of Texas College, Young Quinnite Procter went for 27 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and three steals. The Lady Tigers stand at 8-3 in conference play.

Things to Remember:

* Dr. Michael Eric Dyson will be the Commencement speaker (May 2nd, Richard Allen Chapel)

* New Fitness Center is open (M-W: 8:00 am- 10:00 pm & Weekends: 11:00 am- 6:00 pm)

* President Sorrell speaks to City of Dallas employees, as part of the City's Black History Month programming, on Friday, February 13.

* Support your local chapter of the UNCF by attending their annual Red, Hot & Snazzy Gala.  The event takes place on Saturday, February 21st.  For additional information, please go to www.uncf.org/Dallas/calendar.asp.

Take care and I'll talk to you soon,

President Sorrell

Tuesdays in February

Quinnites-

Please join us for this week's "Tuesdays in February" program.  Tomorrow night at 7pm in the Grand Lounge of the SUB, we will host two of the leading businessmen in Dallas-- KPMG's French Taylor and Dr. Michael Davis of JP Morgan Asset Management.  Taylor is a Tax Partner in KPMG's Dallas office.  Dr. Davis is the Managing Director, Western Region for JP Morgan's Asset Management institutional business.  Among his numerous accomplishments includes receiving an Honorary Degree from Paul Quinn College in 2007.

We look forward to seeing you this Tuesday in February.

Take care,

President Sorrell

More Quinnites in Action

Quinnites in Action

Mid-Week Happenings at PQC

Quinnites-

Here are a couple of mid-week developments on the Yard:

Introducing Catherine Cuellar. Support for our efforts continues to grow in the corporate community.  Thanks to our Trustee Don Clevenger VP of External Affairs) and longtime friend Brenda Jackson, (Sr. VP of Business Operations), Oncor has agreed to loan us the multi-talented Catherine Cuellar.  Quinnite Cuellar will be handling our e-newsletter and helping update the stories on our website.  Ms. Cuellar is a Dallas native and comes from a family that is very familiar with both sides of the Trinity.  We are thrilled and thankful to have her join our team.

Fitness Center Opening Ceremony. Yesterday marked the grand opening of our brand new fitness center.  The ceremony, which was attended by roughly 40 Quinnites, featured fitness tips and instruction by alum and Enrollment Management Team Member, Maurice West; healthy snacks provided by the Directors of the Enrollment Management Team, Lee Williams and Jene'ya Darson; and press coverage by the Dallas Weekly.  The Center features all new equipment and decor.  Please stop in and visit the next time you are on campus.

We'll see you soon,

President Sorrell

All Tri, All the Time

Quinnites-

We are excited to announce that the following members of the Quinnite family have joined our triathlon team:

Fred Smith (staff)

Crystal Armstrong (staff)

Yessika Aviles (student)

Lee Williams (staff)

We are also excited to announce that Quinnite Crystal DeBose was named the Player of the Week in the Red River Athletic Conference this week.  DeBose, a senior from Missouri City, Texas, made 17 of 28 field goal attempts and 10 of 19 from three point range in victories over Texas Wesleyan and University of the Southwest (N.M.).  Keep up the great work Quinnite DeBose.

Take care,

President Sorrell

Things are Heating Up at PQC

Greetings Quinnites-

It's been a busy week on the Yard at PQC.  Here's just a sampling of the happenings:

1. Michael Eric Dyson to speak at 2009 Commencement! Celebrated author and academician Michael Eric Dyson has agreed to deliver the Commencement Address at this spring's graduation on May 2nd.   Quinnites everywhere are buzzing with excitement.

2. Welcome Connie Boyd to the Quinnite Family.  Veteran fundraising expert Connie Boyd has joined the Quinnite Family as the new Vice President of Development.  Boyd has a long and distinguished track record in fundraising and brings a level of expertise to the job that has not been seen on the Clifftop in years.  We are thrilled to welcome her to the team.

3. Quinnites as "All Triathletes".  In what could be a shock to competitive triathlons worldwide, teams comprised of staff, students and friends of Paul Quinn College will be competing in the Cap Tri Tex in Austin, Texas on Memorial Day weekend.  We will be participating as part of the newly formed All Tri Nonprofit Organization.  The mission of All Tri is  to inspire and prepare individuals to raise donations for the charities of their choice through achievements of personal fitness and athletic triumphs.  To learn more about All Tri, you can visit the website at www.alltri.org.  All money raised by our team will be going to the college.  If you are interested in 1) joining us to train and/or compete or 2) making a donation, please contact Angela Hodges at ahodges@pqc.edu.  This will be the first triathlon for all of us. Please don't let fear keep you out of this fun and worthwhile activity.

Special recognition goes to our first donor: Ann Machen who has committed $300 to our efforts.  Thank you Quinnite Machen.

4. Women's Basketball Continues March.  The Lady Tigers continue their amazing conference turnaround.  After finishing last season near the bottom of the conference standings, the team is fighting for first place in the Red River Conference.  Currently, they are in third place at 7-2.  This turnaround has been made even more impressive due to coaching of Associate Athletic Director Adrianne Swinney.  Coach Swinney assumed the reins of the squad in early January after Coach Bo Bivens was terminated.  Since that time, the women have been on a tear.  Keep up the great work Coach Swinney!

5. Tuesdays in February.  Our annual Black History Month program, Tuesdays in February, returns beginning this Tuesday at 7pm.  This week's topic will be: Remembering Bishop College.  Among the speakers will be Bobby Moten (President of the Bishop College Alumni Organization), Larry Sanders, Pastor of Keller Springs Baptist Church, Karen Young of the IRS and Emerson Latimore, Regional Manager of the Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity Office of the Social Security Administration.

Take care and have a great week,

President Sorrell