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White Valedictorian Makes Morehouse History

May 12, 2008 RSS Feed Print

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A white college valedictorian is nothing much to blog about, unless he went to Morehouse, the only all-male, historically black college in the country. Joshua Packwood (4.0 GPA) made history as the first white valedictorian in the 141-year history of Morehouse.

Packwood certainly wasn't the school's first white student, but he eventually became an "unlikely ambassador for the school." He was voted dorm president as a freshman and was a Rhodes scholar finalist. He was popular and nicknamed "Tom Cruise," perhaps before there was any debate whether this was a compliment or an insult.

"Josh Packwood is Morehouse," the college's president said in a February speech. "He happens to be Euro-American and brings much appreciated diversity to our campus."

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As a 2007 graduate of Morehouse College, I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Packwood on several occasions, and may I say there perhaps was no person more deserving of the honor than he. Joshua demonstrated every characteristic of an ideal Morehouse Man: dedication to both his studies and excellence as a humanitarian. For those of you of contend that this some taints the legacy of Morehouse, you obviously did not attend the school. As a Morehouse alumn, I am proud to call Josh our valedictorian.

Tony of FL 10:14AM March 24, 2009

I have read through the entire column and I must say, Its challenging, sad, and happy all at the same time. I am a prospective transfer student hoping to attend morehouse. I do want the black experience as well as a quality education that will make me succeed in the real world. But then again I constantly wonder unlike Mr. packwood, will me turning down an admission to yet another IV league school to attend Morehouse a mistake? I hope not ,and I can only pray that I make the right choice by next month. I have been admited to Columbia, Truman state university, Morhouse and Northwestern. Columbia is the only IV leage that admits transfer students like some of us that attended community colleges to save money our first 2 years of college.

Mr. P of MI 11:37PM June 15, 2008

In response to Kashta K. Eneas' comments, perhaps I should reiterate that attending a HBCU would not have prepared ME (the individual) for life after college. I already knew this in high school and never considered attending one. There are great schools all across this country that turn out brilliant individuals every year, but it takes more than a "good school" or a "black.white school" to complete an education. Character, values and individual ambition play roles as well. Some people who think attending an HBCU beneath them may indeed harbor feelings of self-loathing. I cannot speak for them, for that was not my message.
I'm very happy with my VSU education and congratulate you on realizing your definition of success.

Andrew Etheredge of VA 11:01AM June 13, 2008

White Valedictorian Makes Morehouse History

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