By Shawn Williams
On Wednesday night, Paul Quinn College President Michael Sorrell announced that the school is now a fully accredited member of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). TRACS is recognized by both the Department of Education and Council of Higher Education Accreditation. As such Paul Quinn will have access to federal funding and their students will have access to federal aid.
Sorrell says the TRACS organization has worked with the college during what he called a tumultuous period for the school. “They really are a wonderful group of people,” says Sorrell. The school’s relationship with TRACS started in the Summer of 2009, soon after the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) ended Paul Quinn’s membership in their organization. In the fall of 2009, Sorrell made a trip to Virginia to explore the possibility of gaining membership into TRACS.
Miss Paul Quinn College Christina Mason and Paul Quinn President Michael Sorrell
After a positive meeting and a subsequent visit to Texas by the TRACS staff, Paul Quinn became a candidate for entry in 2010. The organization sent an on-site evaluation team to the campus this past February “for the purpose of evaluating the college for accreditation status,” according to their announcement. Then on Tuesday, Paul Quinn received the news that they had been voted in as one of TRACS member organizations.
One of the challenges that still faces is the school is getting TRACS recognized in Texas, as Paul Quinn is currently their only institution in the state. That will require an application process which if approved, will then open up state funding to Paul Quinn.
Still, Sorrell said the entire campus was boosted by the news. “Everyone is through the roof,” he said adding that tstudents, staff and board members all celebrated the announcement.
Sorrell reflected on the sacrifice made by students in the last two school years. “A lot of people left us for dead,” said Sorrell, “but we’ve got kids who have been here with us the entire time.” He added that while many of their former classmates chose a different paths, these students have now been rewarded. “We’re just glad to be able to say ‘Thank You’ for their faith,” he said.
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