Latest news with #PaineCollege
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fans Saddened by Death of PGA Tour Legend and HBCU Trailblazer at 85
While we often celebrate the athletes who shine brightest in sports, we sometimes forget those who paved the way—especially when the odds were stacked against them. On May 2, former PGA Tour star and trailblazer Jeff Dent passed away at the age of 85. The news was shared by his grandson in a heartfelt Facebook post. Advertisement "I'm grateful I was able to have you as my grandfather... until the next time, Chinababy. Thank you for the foundation," wrote Dent's grandson, Andre. The PGA Tour later confirmed that Dent had suffered a stroke, just one day after it was announced that Tiger Woods would design a par-3 course at 'The Patch'—a course in Georgia where Dent spent much of his time golfing over the years. One of the greatest golfers of all time, Gary Player, responded to the news this week with a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter): 'Jim Dent was one of the finest gentlemen I've ever met. I was very surprised to hear that he passed away because I spoke to him just last week. Having met his son, who is a wonderful young man, he got Jim on the phone, and we were able to catch up. Jim's family can be proud of such a great gentleman and a wonderful golfer—an incredible talent whom I admired. He will be missed very much. Sending my condolences to his family." Dent, known for his powerful drive off the tee, didn't earn his PGA Tour card until 1970, but his impact on the game remained immense. He helped create a path for African American golfers—many of whom had once been restricted to working as caddies—to compete professionally. His efforts opened doors for generations to come. Advertisement He is remembered not only as a pioneer, but as one of the finest Black golfers of his era, who had a tremendous career on the Champions Tour, winning 12 times after the age of 50. Golf fans reacted with sadness—but also immense pride—remembering Jeff Dent for his kindness, trailblazing spirit, and lasting impact on the game. "What a great guy. He came to the volunteer party every year for what was then the Allianz in West Des Moines and hung out with all the volunteers," a fan said. "I played with him multiple times and he was always a gentleman with serious game. His good deeds around Tampa will never be forgotten," another fan posted. Advertisement Someone else added, "A true loss to the golfing world and to all who knew him. Jim Dent carried himself with class both on and off the course. My deepest condolences to his family — may he rest in peace." One more fan commented, "Jim wasn't just a great golfer, he was the kind of man who made you feel better just by talking to him. Hearing about his passing is heartbreaking. Sending love and strength to his family." Jim Dent tees off on the 9th hole of the Raven course during the second round of the Boeing Championships at Sandestin.© Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images Jim Dent attended Paine College, a longtime HBCU in Augusta, Georgia. He faced significant hardship early in life—losing both of his parents by the age of 12—and was the fourth of six children. Advertisement His legacy lives on through his son, Jim Dent Jr., who currently serves as the head golf professional at The Patch, the same course where his father honed much of his game. "A lot of people will remember Jim Dent for how far he hit the ball, and he really did," said Miller Brady, president of the PGA Tour Champions. "Yet his long-term success, especially on our tour, proved Jim was more than just long off the tee." Related: PGA Tour Star to Miss Next 3 Majors After Revealing Devastating Injury News
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dr. Lester McCorn reflects on first 100 days as Paine College's new president
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- It's 100 days in for Paine College's new president, Dr. Lester McCorn. McCorn joined students, faculty and staff to reflect on his first 100 days in office at a special address Tuesday morning. From renovations and improvements around campus, to witnessing high student achievement, he says it's the start of what he calls the 'Preparation for Transformation'. Dr. McCorn was appointed as Paine's new president last October, 4 months after the retirement of former president Dr. Cheryl Evans-Jones. Since then, he says time has flown by. 'I can't believe it's been 100 days, it's gone by really quickly. I learned a lot about myself in the process, and I learned a lot about Paine,' said McCorn. 'We know the challenges we're facing, but I think Paine has the raw materials we need to succeed despite those challenges.' So far in 2025, Paine College celebrated the first Miss National UNCF (United Negro College Fund), Brittney Daniel, in school history. Last month, the Paine men's basketball team advanced to the championship game in the NCCAA South Region Tournament. Another Paine student, Katherine Sugilo-Peralta, was recently recognized on the national level as a White House Scholar. 'I think we're punching way over our weight in terms of the small institution we are. They're a significant microcosm of this larger community, and it makes me proud.' He's also learned while college has a rich history, it also has problems he wants to address—including finances. More than $400,000 has been raised for the college this year, but McCorn says there are big changes on the horizon. 'I kind of alluded to it earlier, but we're going to have to right-size the institution, and we're going to have to make some cuts. That's really hard to do, but it's what every business does when it has to reset. So, we're doing a reset probably as I move into the new academic year. You'll see a different workforce here at Paine College, and then it's incumbent upon me to raise more money,' McCorn said. He's also led efforts for renovations and improvements around campus. That includes repairs for damage caused by Hurricane Helene, hitting the area nearly 7 months ago. 'We probably have done about $600,000 or $700,000 worth of remediation work on our buildings, and that's just a drop in the bucket compared to what needs to be done,' said McCorn. He's also had extensive conversations with state lawmakers, doing what he can to bring more opportunities to students on campus. 'There are federal dollars that are available for various projects in individual states and districts. So, Senator Warnock has already been instrumental in helping us get the National Registered Historic Places money for Paine College. I've also talked to Rick Allen about other ways he can support,' McCorn said. Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson and commissioners appointed him to be part of the 11-member Charter Review Commission. McCorn wants that to be another opportunity for students to be engaged. 'I want to bring them alongside me as interns to the president, to see how civic life works. Hopefully they'll be more apt to engage in public life, and I think it's a golden opportunity for them and Paine College,' said McCorn. So what are his goals for the rest of 2025? McCorn is hoping to increase student enrollment at Paine up to 500 students for the fall semester. He also wants new facilities on campus, including new residence halls, a cyber center for excellence, and a fine arts center. McCorn also wants to turn the old WifeSavers restaurant on 15th Street and Laney Walker Boulevard into the Lion Cafe and Bookstore. It's also his goal for Paine to become a top 10 HBCU in the nation, and eventually become Paine University with the addition of graduate programs in business, cybersecurity, medicine, nursing, public health, and sport management. Senator Raphael Warnock, a close friend of McCorn since they were classmates at Morehouse College, will be the guest speaker at Paine's Spring Commencement on Sunday, May 11th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Honoring Black History: The Paine College Steering Committee
AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF)- In the early 1960's civil rights activists worked hard to end segregation. For a short time here in Augusta, a little known group of college students staged sit-ins and filed lawsuits in their fight for civil rights. In February 1960, 4 black college students in Greensboro, North Carolina sat at a segregated lunch counter, refusing to leave until they were served. Their bravery inspired 15 Paine College students to take a stand too, and the Paine College Steering Committee was born. 'The purpose of the Paine College Steering Committee was the local activists and advocates for civil rights and human rights here as part of that larger national network,' said historian, Joyce Law. The Steering Committee aimed to desegregate public restaurants, businesses and churches. 'Our purpose at that time was trying to build relationships with people of another race. And we decided that the easiest path to doing that was going to church,' explained Dr. Mallory Millender, Paine College Historian. The Steering Committee staged sit ins at restaurants and department stores. They also held marches and pray-ins. On May 2, 1960, 11 students were arrested for refusing to give up their seats on a city bus. It led to a lawsuit against the city, the mayor and the Public Service Commission. 'The significance of the Public Service Commission being sued was, it made it statewide. So when they won their case against the bus company, it integrated public transportation state wide,' Dr. Millender said. The Steering Committee used every resource it had, sending a telegram to Ray Charles who was supposed to perform at the Bell Auditorium, convincing him to cancel his show. They even used misdirection, sending a group of marchers to a funeral home while actually protesting elsewhere. 'Another group of students went to the Augusta National, where President Eisenhower was playing golf at the segregated Golf Club on Human Rights Day,' said Dr. Millender. Dr. Silas Norman was a sophomore at Paine College in 1960. He led the Steering Committee as well as the student government. His nephew, Ray Sturkey remembers him as a humble man with a great passion for equality, something he continued to work towards until his death in 2015. 'Being a voice, being an activist, being very involved and in moving very strategically and to helping everybody have the same opportunity, the same access and that sort of thing,' he said. The Paine College Steering Committee disbanded in 1963 once they achieve their goals. Law said that even though they were no longer an official organization, their work lived on. 'Whenever a movement starts, there's a hope that maybe there's the mentor disciple relationship to carry on,' she explained. Sturkey is inspired by his uncle's work and passion for equality with the Steering Committee and in the years after. 'I really believe for him it was a calling.' You can find a documentary about the Paine College Steering Committee done by local filmmaker, Hodges Usry HERE. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
30-01-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Success by degrees: Augusta's Paine College eyes more opportunities under new president
AI-assisted summary The Rev. Dr. Lester A. McCorn, Paine College's 18th president, emphasized five key principles for student success: faith, family, focus, fight, and fortitude. McCorn highlighted the need for Paine College to align its academic programs with in-demand job markets such as healthcare, cybersecurity, and hospitality. A transition team is working to revitalize Paine College and address past financial challenges that threatened its accreditation. Paine College's new president on Wednesday issued five F's to the student body, and they couldn't have been happier. Speaking at the school's annual Convocation, kicking off the historically Black college's 143rd year, the Rev. Dr. Lester A. McCorn stressed faith, family, focus, fight and fortitude as pillars on which graduates can build successful lives. "This is an iconic institution that is steadily being reminded of its greatness," Paine's 18th president said. "You have my word that I will give the students and this instituton the very best I have because that is what you deserve." Speaking after the convocation, McCorn stressed Paine's need to focus more of its academics toward "the demand of the marketplace" in fields such as health care, cybersecurity and hospitality. Each of those employment sectors figure strongly into Augusta's economy, and their employers can partner with the college to strengthen its academic offerings. "Our degrees need to represent where the jobs are," he said, particularly since some cybersecurity positions can start new employees at six-figure salaries. "That's a game-changer," McCorn said. "For students who are low-wealth, who come from challenging backgrounds, first-generation students, getting a good education at Paine College, and setting you up upon completion making over $100,000 a year? That's the value proposition of a Paine education." Meet McCorn:Augusta's historically Black college selects a new president with a thick academic résumé A transition team of about 30 people, led by new school Provost Dr. Pamela Richardson Wilkes have been meeting to flesh out a new vision for Paine. That forward movement hopes to leave behind Paine's financial difficulties that several years ago threatened the college's academic accreditation. "We're being honest with ourselves about where Paine is," McCorn said. "We've talked about our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. We're beginning to lay the groundwork for the future vision of Paine College." Perhaps the biggest threat to Paine's existence receded Wednesday. While the convocation continued in Augusta, the federal Office of Management and Budget in Washington, D.C., formally rescinded a memorandum from President Donald Trump that would have frozen all federal grants and loans. At Paine, more than 95% of the small student body rely on federal financial aid to help pay tuition. Restricting access to those funds would have delivered a painful blow to the college. Whatever the final outcome, McCorn said, Paine will be watching the issue closely and "we want it to be in our favor, as an institution that's dependent on federal aid. It's not just Paine College. It's not just HBCUs. All institutions of higher learning would be affected."
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Meet Paine College's new president during the 2025 Spring Convocation
AUGUSTA, G.A. (WJBF)- Paine College is starting a new semester with new leadership. President Dr. Lester A. McCorn is the 18th president at Paine College. During the 143rd spring convocation Wednesday, he highlighted key goals he plans to accomplish. It's also the way Dr. Lester says he plans to move forward as the new leader of Paine College. 'See you got a president on fire, you know I can't help myself, I got a bad case of 'can't help its' because I'm excited about Paine College…' He is sharing his plans to address many concerns that may impact the college like President Trump's pause on financial aid. 'As an institution that is dependent upon federal aid we need that, and it's not just Paine College, and it's not just HBCU's– all institutions of higher learning would be affected by this,' Dr. McCorn said. During the ceremony, students also had the chance to hear from alumni, city leaders and current staff about the direction for the college and to get excited for their future as a Lyon. Dr. Lester also mentioned the impacts of Hurricane Helene– he says community partnership and support is vital for restoration. 'We're looking at some of the needs where some of the gaps and deficiencies are on this campus, and we probably would not have done it with as much meticulous care if it had not been for the effects of the storm. We had about $5 million dollars' worth of damage on this campus. So, it's gonna take a lot to get there– it's not gonna happen overnight, but I believe that we'll be better and stronger when it's all said and done.' Dr. Lester is hopeful this new year, and new administration, will lead to new accomplishments and success for the future of Paine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
