The DEN by The DEN

A PAINE COLLEGE MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2017

THE DEN A LOOK INTO THE HERITAGE AND EXCELLENCE

SARAH AVERA Miss Paine College 2016-2017

USD $3.00

ISSUE NO 01

A school's heritage that is deeply rooted in the heart of the community

theDEN table of con tents

04 the DEN 06 2016 Block Party 10 A Letter from the Dean 14 The Making of A Queen 21 Student Government Association 18 2016 Royal Coronation of Miss & Mister Paine Cllege 11 Counseling & Wellness Center

the DEN

1235 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30901 706-821-8200 | painesga@gmail.com www.paine.edu

theDEN A LOOK INTO THE HERITAGE

DEONTÉ MOSES SGA President Board of Trustee Student Representative

TERRANCE A. RODGERS, II SGA Press & Marketing Chief Editor in Chief

R. WAYNE WOODSON Dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management/ Chief of Staff

MICHAEL IGBONAGWAM Director of Student Engagement

Paine College, 1235 fifteenth St. Augusta, GA 30901 (706) 8218200 || visit www.Paine.edu

A LOOK INTO THE HERITAGE

THE DEN By Terrance A. Rodgers, II Photographs by Kass Albert Williams The best way to tell the story of a people is to listen with an open heart and get to know them on a personal level. To an outsider, Paine College’s story seems to be on of former glory or of community past. In reality our story is helping to write the future of the world, which is growing around us. Since our inception on November 1, 1882, Paine College has always strived to live up to the mission of its founders. The mission has expanded to read “provide a liberal arts education of the highest quality to prepare every student for positions of leadership and service in the African American community, the nation, and the world.” Here at Paine College we pride ourselves on being “the gateway to the world.” This statement represents more than what meets the eye, because once you walk across the commencement stage you are prepared to do more than just work a regular job. You are ready to change the world! Paine College alumni have been changing the world for years. 1942 graduate Louis Lomax, the first AfricanAmerican Television Journalist, whose writing brought awareness to the life and hardship of the AfricanAmerican community.

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A prime example, 1937 graduate Frank Yerby, who was an African American historical novelist, he is recognized as the first African American writer to become a millionaire. We also have produced leaders like Joseph Lowery, a minister in the United Methodist Church and leader in the Civil Rights Movement, he also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Paine College also produced John Wesley Gilbert, the first Paine College graduate and first African American to receive a master’s degree from Brown University, Gilbert later became the Third President of Miles College. These are just a few of the people, which called Paine College their academic home. As you can see, we have a story to tell which is filled with rich History, Heritage, Legacy, and Excellence. The job and mission of “the DEN” will be to take “A look into the Heritage.” We will tell the story, and give our readers a visual auto biography of Paine College. Readers will not just read about our story, they will have the opportunity to see it in living color, as we produce more great leaders, and continue to be the “Gateway to the World.”

PAINE COLLEGE 2016 BLOCK PARTY An afternoon of Music, Family, Friends, & Fun

Homecoming 2017

Are you ready?

WELCOME BACK A LETTER FROM THE DEAN R. WAYNE WOODSON, DEAN

I am excited to be leading the

Director of Student

and has already proven to be a

Division of Student Affairs and

Engagement. In addition to

great asset. He will be the first

Enrollment Management. The

working on our retention and

point of contact with many of

last few weeks have been filled

local recruitment efforts, Mr.

the offices in our division.

with a lot of changes in this

Igbonagwam will be

department. Each change has

overseeing the student

Make sure to come by and

been working towards the goal

activities and student

welcome our new team

of meeting the needs of our

leadership training programs of

members. If you have ideas

current and future Paine

the College. He is a 2013 Paine

and thoughts, please make sure

College Lions.

College graduate, and most

to share them with us. We are

recently has been working at

here to work with each of you

I am pleased to announce that

Clark Atlanta University. A

to continue Paine’s proud

Ms. Jenease Horstead has

former Mr. Paine College and

legacy.

accepted the position as Interim

member of Kappa Alpha Psi

Director of the Counseling

Fraternity, Inc., Mr.

I look forward to a great

Center. Many of you are

Igbonagwam will bring a great

semester here at the Illustrious

familiar with Ms. Horstead,

deal of knowledge and skill to

Paine College!

and the work that she has been

the Division.

doing to make sure that our

R. Wayne Woodson, Dean

students have the support

We are also pleased to

Office of Student Affairs and

needed to be successful. I am

welcome, Mr. DeVante Sparks,

Enrollment Management

proud to have her leading the

our newly hired Administrative

Counseling Department.

Assistant for the Division of Student Services. He is a

I would like to introduce, Mr.

recent graduate of Augusta

Michael Igbonagwam, our new

University,

THE JOURNEY OF A

Queen

The Story of Miss Paine College 2016-2017 The past 5 months have been a dream and sometimes I don't want to wake up. To know that I hold the title of a Queen is unreal and honestly, I still find it hard to believe. That girl from Augusta, Ga who has always been a tomboy and was once unsure of going back to college was an option, is now wearing a crown and sharing the throne with a young man who has a special place in my heart. To be The 90th Miss Paine College has been an honor and I hold the title dear to my heart. I can't wait to return in the Spring and finish this reign with a bang, because fall semester was truly amazing. To take part in my first pageant in Atlanta, Ga at the NBCA Hall of Fame, host an entire week of events with my King that lead up to our BEAUTIFUL Coronation, and last but not least to watch myself

evolve into the woman I am today. I realized that I am so blessed and being a Paineite is a privilege.

During Fall 2016, I realized that with this title as Queen, a lot of work has to be done. I knew that one of my goals during my reign was to become a Role Model and let the student body know that regardless of my title , I am still a student. I guess that's why I love the name "The People's Queen" , because without them I wouldn't be wearing this crown. Being Miss Paine College allows you to know what's going on with the institution and how to bring the student body and administration closer together. Holding this title during a historic time at Paine, has been challenging.

Being told that your institution will lose its accreditation and hearing nothing but negativity from outsiders is one thing; But to come to campus and see the fear in your families eyes is another. As a student leader you have to walk, talk, and move differently. Although on that September evening I felt lost, terrified, and heartbroken, I couldn't allow my peers to see me fold. I know I had to hold my head high because the minute I allow my crown to tilt, someone's faith could be shattered. Leaving that chapel that evening I knew that Paine College would be ok, but fear was still there. As time went on , many of my peers asked how could I stay so positive at a time like this and I tell them "Because you cant pray and worry at the same time, and I rather be praying".

To my Paine College Family, I love you guys sooooo much and we will be OK! This illustrious institution has been around for over 130 years, so let's start making way for another 130 years. Paine College is truly one of a kind, and although it has its flaws just like any other school, this is OUR school. The time we have at Paine, is time that can't be wasted. We are the foundation of this institution, and without us there is no Paine. So, with that being said, what are we going to do and change to make sure that our HBCU will be ok? Well, we must come together and show the world our school

pride. Our mascot is a Lion for a reason, a lion possesses strength and beauty, lions are also known as The King of the Jungle. PC! Many people are waiting for us to crumble, but when has a group of Lions been taken down? NEVER! The 20162017 academic school year at Paine College is making history, we are apart of history my people!

One day the future Paineites will be learning about us during their Prep for Excellence course, because we will make the change and conquer all hurdles that come in our way. Spring 2017 is almost here, and I am ready to work! I have many social and academics events, fundraisers, and community outreach programs ready to take

place and cant wait to share them with you! Well, before I end this letter I want you all to know that I will never take this position for granted and being your 90th Miss Paine College has been a privilege. I love you guys and always remember, Paine College Forever, and Forever Paine College!

Sarah A. Avera Miss Paine College '16'17

CORNATION MISS & MISTER PAINE COLLEGE '16-'17

Student Government Association 2016-2017 Do you have any questions or concerns? Feel free to contact us. Stay connected on soical media @PaineCollegeSGA

painesga.weebly.com || (706) 821-8213