Joshua Packwood
Encyclopedia
Joshua Packwood, at the age of 22, became the first white valedictorian
of Morehouse College
, a historically black college, in 2008.
Packwood held a perfect 4.0 grade-point average and graduated with a degree in economics. Morehouse's president, Robert Franklin
, stated in his February 2008 inauguration speech that Packwood "happens to be Euro-American and brings much-appreciated diversity to our campus."
Packwood said that "Gaining a different perspective on issues and a different philosophy on life" was a principal reason for his attendance at Morehouse, and that attending provided him with "a never-ending stream of motivation and inspiration in terms of the students," that "Morehouse is a special place," that "students come here with a mission," and that "that mission is what really drew me to the school."
When asked what he had learned about African Americans from his experiences at Morehouse, Packwood stated that his foremost lesson was "how diverse African Americans are" and "how diverse the people of the African diaspora
are," while noting that he had been "absolutely amazed" at the "diversity of beliefs and religion" at the school, and admitting that after four years of congenial interactions at the school, "I still can't give you the definition of 'black', I still can't sum up what 'black culture' is."
Packwood described how his Morehouse peers viewed him "as a brother" and that he was "proud to call every single one of them 'my brother'." He went on to state that Morehouse was not really about race but its mission
. Packwood stated that, although Morehouse's mission was born of the problems surrounding race in America, those problems are not its defining aspect; instead it seeks to raise up servant leaders. Packwood said that his experiences at Morehouse had been "overwhelmingly positive" and that he believed America indeed still had issues of prejudice
and racism
to overcome. Packwood also noted that some students objected to his presence, especially when he was found out to be the valedictorian.
Packwood turned down a full scholarship from Columbia University
in order to attend Morehouse. Packwood stated that, "A large majority of my friends, like all my girlfriends have been minorities. So it was very, it was kind of strange that I always kind of gravitated to the black community."
Valedictorian
Valedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony. Usually, the valedictorian is the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution...
of Morehouse College
Morehouse College
Morehouse College is a private, all-male, liberal arts, historically black college located in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with Hampden-Sydney College and Wabash College, Morehouse is one of three remaining traditional men's colleges in the United States....
, a historically black college, in 2008.
Packwood held a perfect 4.0 grade-point average and graduated with a degree in economics. Morehouse's president, Robert Franklin
Robert Michael Franklin, Jr.
Dr. Robert Michael Franklin, Jr. is an African-American educator, author, and the tenth president of Morehouse College, the nation's only historically black liberal arts college for men, located in Atlanta, Georgia...
, stated in his February 2008 inauguration speech that Packwood "happens to be Euro-American and brings much-appreciated diversity to our campus."
Packwood said that "Gaining a different perspective on issues and a different philosophy on life" was a principal reason for his attendance at Morehouse, and that attending provided him with "a never-ending stream of motivation and inspiration in terms of the students," that "Morehouse is a special place," that "students come here with a mission," and that "that mission is what really drew me to the school."
When asked what he had learned about African Americans from his experiences at Morehouse, Packwood stated that his foremost lesson was "how diverse African Americans are" and "how diverse the people of the African diaspora
African diaspora
The African diaspora was the movement of Africans and their descendants to places throughout the world—predominantly to the Americas also to Europe, the Middle East and other places around the globe...
are," while noting that he had been "absolutely amazed" at the "diversity of beliefs and religion" at the school, and admitting that after four years of congenial interactions at the school, "I still can't give you the definition of 'black', I still can't sum up what 'black culture' is."
Packwood described how his Morehouse peers viewed him "as a brother" and that he was "proud to call every single one of them 'my brother'." He went on to state that Morehouse was not really about race but its mission
Mission statement
A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making...
. Packwood stated that, although Morehouse's mission was born of the problems surrounding race in America, those problems are not its defining aspect; instead it seeks to raise up servant leaders. Packwood said that his experiences at Morehouse had been "overwhelmingly positive" and that he believed America indeed still had issues of prejudice
Prejudice
Prejudice is making a judgment or assumption about someone or something before having enough knowledge to be able to do so with guaranteed accuracy, or "judging a book by its cover"...
and racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
to overcome. Packwood also noted that some students objected to his presence, especially when he was found out to be the valedictorian.
Packwood turned down a full scholarship from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in order to attend Morehouse. Packwood stated that, "A large majority of my friends, like all my girlfriends have been minorities. So it was very, it was kind of strange that I always kind of gravitated to the black community."