What Now?

Fisk's Jubilee Hall

So, it's been more than three years since our black college tour, and it's been more than a year since my sons started college: one at Philander Smith (AR) and one at Lincoln U (MO). What occurred in that time span is too much to report, so let me just say that my suspicions back in August of 2011, when we dropped the boys off, were realized. The son who attended the state school stayed there for a full year but only because he didn't want to quit in the middle of the year. He decided pretty early on that he and the institution were not a good fit.

The spring of his freshman year, he put in many applications elsewhere, and because he had a good g.p.a. at Lincoln, he got many nice financial aid packages, especially at small, private, predominately-white institutions. In the end, however, it just made more sense for all concerned to have him attend Philander Smith, which provided him a nice award for transfer students. I'll let it suffice to say that whatever did not meet our son's needs at the state school has been well made up for at Philander Smith. The fit this time is good.

So, now, we are applying to schools again. This year, it's our daughter, and I am very happy that she is interested in attending an HBCU. She has applied to other types of schools as well, but she appears to feel a special connection to the history of black colleges. So rare these days. In any case, she already has been accepted to Howard, and when that reality sinks in we will all be doing the happy dance all around the living room, for truly the prospect of becoming a part of the Howard legacy is nothing to sniff at.

In 2010, she of course, with her brothers, toured Fisk, and I have been singing the school's praises ever since. I was more moved and touched by our experience there than anywhere else. Over the last two years, I also have followed the story of the institution's financial woes, and they are disconcerting to say the least. As much as I have wanted to push students in the school's direction, I have worried about its viability and affordability also.

But, today, for some reason, Fisk came back to my mind. There was just something about the students I met there that stayed with me. The young people there, from all over the country, impressed me in a way that is just uncommon, and I meet lots of students in my line of work. Shortly after our visit there, I remember thinking that I would love for my own brood to have a taste of whatever is in the water at Fisk. So, despite all of my reservations, our daughter will apply there, and we will leave the outcome to her and the gods.