The Struggles of Paul Quinn College

According to the Saturday issue of The Dallas Morning News, Paul Quinn College is in trouble. Last month the school received news from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools that it was revoking the school's accreditation. Not content to go down without a fight, the school is going to appeal the decision. Check out the school's web page for President Michael J. Sorrell's statement.

Paul Quinn was founded in Austin in 1872 to teach African Americans who had been recently freed. The school then moved to Waco in 1882, and then to Dallas in 1990.

Who can argue with the school's mission statement:

“The mission of the College is to 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.”

The school is struggling the way a lot of small historically black colleges is struggling with dropping enrollment, a small endowment, and low assets.

According to The Dallas Morning News, the good news is that donations are up to $2.2 million for the fiscal year that ended in June. Other good news is support from the Texas Legislative Black Caucus and the United Negro College Fund.

The key to survival? It's probably more support locally and a higher enrollment.

Looks like now's a good time for Dallas area citizens to show some love to this small college that has a huge legacy.

A curious note is that enrollment at Wiley College at Marshall, featured in The Great Debaters, is up 36% and their net assets rest at $11 million. Check out their web page.

I'm going to follow both of these schools.