Uhm….and he was the only qualified candidate to deliver the valedictorian address!

And wondering what other graduates are headed to Goldman Sachs

Given the valedictorian address means you’re at the top of your class. He probably knew members of the administration too.

dang somebody hatin

I think it’s cool. Packwood’s mom married a black man and he has biracial siblings. I would imagine he had an interesting and valuable experience to convey to the other graduates; plus he exhibited academic worthiness.

http://ap.google.com/article/A.....QD90JHQ8G0

I think its great! Why does he have to know someone in administration to do a good job. People need to stop with the conspiracy theories and give the boy his props for doing his thing.

Yeah good for Morehouse woo hoo give valedictorian to a white man, great idea!! Score one more for black assimilationists and white appeasers.
Hell if you can’t beat em join em or at least continue to open your doors to them and let em move right on in….

Why have a Morehouse anymore?

I think this is a neat story, but I hate the way it’s being told. The AP article has a bit of a “how great that such a superstar chose Morehouse!” tone, when I think what’s more interesting about it is that Morehouse produced such a top-notch kid. I mean, we already knew it was a great school, but I think the angle should really be: “ANYONE can come here and thrive.”

I read this story in the Miami Herald this morning and that account was more in depth. http://www.miamiherald.com/new.....29148.html. For some time, the alumnus who recruited him had no idea that he was white. He was recruited because he was/is an outstanding student who had the choice to attend several ivy league institutions. Even his fellow classmates acknowledge that his high achievement raised the bar for them. Seems like a win/win situation for the guys in his class — someone to push them to higher levels. He is the valedictorian because he has the highest gpa - plain and simple. And BTW, Morehouse’s first white student graduated in ‘66 and there have been many since. This is only newsworthy because he is the first white valedictorian.

I understand (but do not necessarily agree with) the sentiments expressed regarding a white student invading the hallowed halls of Morehouse but the fact of the matter is that with the high cost of tuition, expect to see a lot of other faces taking a look at HBCUs. Compared to many institutions, they are still relatively cheap. If and when this “invasion” occurs it will only be a follow on to what has been happening in HBCU grad programs for years. Moreover, many top black high school students now make the choice to attend an ivy league institution. Someone will have to fill those seats if the institutions are to survive.

Smart guy. That’s a good way to standout. Attend a HBCU and loose all the competition that you would have had in an Ivy leauge school.

Step it up black folks. That white boy came onto your court and “schooled” you.

Oh I’m not hating. There’s more to being valedictorian than getting a 4.0. There can’t be only one person with a 4.0 in the graduating class, so they have to figure out who will be the one person to give the address. But I say good for him. I hope I have a job that prestigious lined up after graduation.

Black people can’t “step up” as long as we keep catering to whites.

Ike and tribalace,

Success should be based on the merits. Steve Nash, Eminem, et al. are able to do well in predominately black arenas based on their skills. It doesnt mean that the rest of the field is inferior.

This type of rhetoric is disturbing because it reminds me of those who say golf is less dynamic than it used to be now that Tiger Woods is the best golfer. It’s alright to give credit when credit is due.

Lastly, graduating with the highest GPA gives you an automatic bid to speak at graduation.

Morehouse Alum

considering that many HBCUs are in serious financial trouble, i’d rather see white students enroll and have these schools survive rather than have to close their doors to all students, black and white.

Juan over at Highbrid Nation put me on to thewhite valedictorian of Morehouse story. Seems like a lot of people are upset. Lol, some people didn’t even know white people were allowed to attend Morehouse. Honestly my opinion is that this is good for race relations. If us black people wanted to be fully embraced in American culture, we have to fully embrace the rest of America in ours.

@Morehouse Alum:
My comment was directed at the valedictorians “haters.” I’m not labeling the rest of the graduates as being inferior to him.

@ronniedobbs:
I agree.

Ike says:
Smart guy. That’s a good way to standout. Attend a HBCU and loose all the competition that you would have had in an Ivy leauge school.

Step it up black folks. That white boy came onto your court and “schooled” you.

Posted: May 12, 2008 at 7:01 pm

Ike, I was thinking the same thing.

Although I do not have a problem with him attending the school and doing well, I just find it sad that he could beat out all of the black students to become valedictorian. I salute him.

Last year Princeton had a black (from Brazil) valedictorian.

I can recall reading about a little yt girl who won an African-American History competition, beating out about 30-50 blacks. While I was happy that she took interest in our History, I could not help to wonder how the heck did she beat out such a large group of blk students. Her parents seemed very proud of her accomplishment.

“Success should be based on the merits.” What America are you living in?! After I graduated from Pratt Institute I found out fast it’s whom you know -as well as whom you blow to get ahead (no pun intended)! The professional world is like an exclusive club where only celebs seem to get in. In short, you have to be well connnected even before graduating.

I think the two aren’t mutually exclusive. You need to have talent and be well connected. If you aren’t then you will ultimately be exposed.

BTW- I worked on Wall Street for Morgan Stanley based largely on my grades and personality. So once in awhile, you can make it solely on merits.

DC

Based on the little I’ve read about him, he’s very deserving. I’m pretty damn sure that there aren’t many people who would turn down Hahvahd for any other school in the country except Yale or Princeton. I give kudos to anyone who’s willing to give up the luxury of being a majority for 4 years. I wouldn’t choose to go to a school with a gay or Jewish or Muslim minority. I say this even as an “ally.” I have nothing against these groups but I am well aware that my life is significantly easier in this society because I’m heterosexual and Christian. All this being said, his step father is black and it seemed like he grew up in an area with lots of black people so maybe it wasn’t that big of a leap for him.

Morehouse Alum, if the Wall Street stars from my alma mater are remotely representative, I’m going to go ahead and guess that those who make it on grades and personality are in the minority. Connections beat the hell out of grades and personality any day.