DALLAS — The Paul Quinn College class of 2024 got to fly off into the future after graduation Saturday with a special surprise from Dallas-based Southwest Airlines. Two roundtrip tickets to any Southwest domestic destination.
Paul Quinn College in Dallas is a private, faith-based, four-year, liberal arts-inspired college that was founded in 1872 by a group of African Methodist Episcopal Church preachers.
“We are so blessed to have people in Southwest Airlines that understand what it means to be a Quinnite. They understand what it means to advocate for others, to make room in our lives for different points of view,” Paul Quinn College President Michael Sorrell said.
Sorrell introduced Southwest Airlines’ Director of Community Outreach, Laura Nieto, who announced the surprise.
“We want you to travel and experience the world as you embark on your next chapter in life. Be curious, stay adventurous. So, as a little graduation surprise from your friends at Southwest Airlines to celebrate your incredible journey, we have a special gift for you,” Nieto said before directing the graduates to look under their seats.
“To celebrate your accomplishments, Southwest Airlines would like to gift each of you two roundtrip tickets to any Southwest Airlines domestic destination,” Nieto continued, to cheers from the crowd.
“Yeah, I didn’t get any of that when I was a graduating senior,” Sorrell joked when he got back to the podium and led the crowd in a standing ovation. “In your lives, remember this moment. Remember what it feels like to be rewarded for hard work and to be in places where people genuinely care because that’s a blessing.”
Dr. Charles M. Ginsberg, Professor Emeritus at UT Southwestern, who was involved in establishing Paul Quinn’s mental health clinic on campus, and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, were on hand at the commencement to receive honorary degrees.
“I’m so honored to be a part of this class,” Crockett said. “But I’m even more honored to know that y’all are coming to take my seat. Because everything that I do is for the next generation.”
Graduating senior Curtis Ferguson was also celebrated as the first student intern to accept a full-time position at Southwest following his participation in the Corporate Work Program (a work-study partnership between Southwest and Paul Quinn).
Southwest Airlines announced its official partnership with Paul Quinn to support its Corporate Work Program in the fall of 2022. The program includes paid internships specifically for Paul Quinn College students along with ongoing educational and workforce development opportunities.
Watch the full commencement here:
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