Luchinsky letcurer urges pushing past stereotypes

Schreyer Honors College hosts John Quiñones for annual Luchinsky Lecture

by Ray Schmitt and Joy Drohan John Quiñones has appeared on American television screens for decades. His work as a reporter for ABC News and as a host for the same network’s hidden camera, ethical dilemma show “What Would You Do?” has reached millions of viewers.

Despite his accolades and fame, he is not immune to stereotypes and prejudice that pervade our society. With grace, empathy, and sometimes humor, Quiñones dedicates much of his professional and private life to fighting against such harmful preconceived notions.

At the 27th annual Mark Luchinsky Memorial Lecture this past January, he recounted a story of flying to New York. While standing in line to board with his fellow passengers traveling first-class, he noticed almost all of them queueing up in the economy class line. While he waited in place, a woman at the front of the other line decided to engage him.

“I wasn’t dressed up. I was wearing a baseball cap, a sweatshirt, and jeans,” he said. “As I’m standing there, clearly Latino, [she] looked over at me and said, ‘Sir, are you even in first class?’”

He explained how the woman demanded he move to the back of the other line, and that she remarked how the call for first-class passengers to board was made in English. Quiñones chuckled as he said that other passengers began to recognize him and wonder aloud if they were on a “What Would You Do?” segment. He finally responded to the woman as they boarded the plane.

“As I’m walking past her, I leaned over and said, ‘Ma’am my name is John Quiñones and I do this TV show called “What Would You Do?” and you would be perfect for the show. You could play the part of the racist,” he recalled, laughing.

Before he could use journalism and primetime television to combat America’s societal ills, Quiñones had to tackle a fair share of adversity. He entered first grade unable to communicate with his teacher or classmates because he didn’t speak English. In his teenage years, due to his heritage, most of his teachers encouraged him to consider a trade. He came from a poor family in San Antonio and did not have a clear path to college.

Quiñones credits his 10th-grade English teacher, Mrs. Gutierrez, with encouraging his love of storytelling and his desire to become a journalist. She introduced him to the teacher who supervised the student newspaper and he rose quickly from reporter to chief of editorials. He went on to college and graduated from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio before being awarded a fellowship that paved the way to a graduate degree from Columbia University in New York. From there he launched a 40-year television career in which he has made a tangible difference in the world. He told the Luchinsky Lecture’s 300-person audience that his most impactful and inspiring story was a report on homeless children living in the sewer system in Bogota, Columbia. After the story aired on ABC’s “Primetime Live,” viewers donated $1 million to help establish an orphanage for these children.

“As a journalist and correspondent, I’ve been blessed with an opportunity to shine a light on the issues many people don’t want to hear about,” he said. “In so many ways, it’s like Schreyer Honors College’s mission to shape students to be moral agents who can influence the common good.”

In wrapping up the evening, Quiñones took time to answer questions from the Luchinsky Lecture audience. When asked if he believed the media was improving its representation of minoritized people, Quiñones emphatically answered yes. And his reasoning went beyond the diversity of the types of stories being told and the people telling them.

“It’s not just important to have people of color on television telling you the stories,” he said. “It’s also important that we have those people in management, people who tell [me] to go cover the story in San Antonio or San Diego or State College. That will, in the end, serve for better news coverage all over the country.”

SCHREYER SNAPSHOTS

(1) In September, Dean Patrick T. Mather hosted his first Donuts with the Dean event. He welcomed Scholars to the Schreyer Courtyard at Atherton Hall to continue the tradition of donuts, coffee, community, and conversation.

(2) In October, dozens of Scholars serving in leadership roles attended the Building Belonging workshop, led by Scholar alumnus Spud Marshall ’08. Joined by Dean Mather and College staff at 3 Dots in downtown State College, the group took part in an interactive and dynamic learning experience. Through activities and guided conversation, they explored key leadership skills designed to help shape their organization’s or team’s success. A subsequent workshop followed in March.

(3) The full Honors College community was invited to the State Theatre in November for a private screening of the Disney Pixar animated feature film “Soul.” Along with the film, attendees enjoyed live jazz music prior to the screening and a post-film discussion led by Dean Mather.

(4) Dean Mather was part of a running relay team from the Chemical Engineering department that completed the Mountainback 50-mile relay race in November.

(5) In January, Scholar alumnus Douglas G. Evans ’86 ’93g was one of eight Penn State graduates to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, the University’s highest honor presented to alumni. Evans, the president and chief executive officer of Lungpacer Medical Inc., and his wife, Regina, are also the benefactors of the Douglas G. and Regina C. Evans Award for Research Achievement in the Schreyer Honors College.

(6) Scholar Megan Swift was named the Daily Collegian’s editor-in-chief in February. She began at the newspaper in 2019 and worked as a news candidate, arts blogger, general news reporter, politics reporter, assistant news editor, and news editor prior to her current role.

(7) In March, Scholar alumnus and Scholar Alumni Society Board member Dr. Sam Bonsall ’04, ’12g hosted “Create Your Future” at The Graduate Hotel. The event included discussions on finding your passion, defining an objective, weaving a narrative, and more. Scholar attendees used these conversations to help develop networking skills that would prove beneficial in their professional lives.

(8) The inaugural Schreyer Pocket Garden crops were planted in April. Rising third-year Scholar Vancie Peacock, who led the way in founding the Pocket Garden located in the Simmons Hall courtyard, and a team of volunteers planted kale, spinach, carrots, and lettuce. The harvested crops were donated to the Lion’s Pantry.

(9) On the first Friday of May, Schreyer Honors College honored five graduating Scholars at an awards brunch. The celebratory day continued with an afternoon reception, and the annual Medals Ceremony. More than 3,000 guests, including friends and families, gathered at Pegula Ice Arena to commemorate the achievements of this year’s class. In total, 474 Scholars graduated with honors from Penn State this spring.

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