Ida Jackson, Paul Quinn College- c/o 1972, Elementary Education

Where are you from? Who introduced you to HBCUs?*

I am a native of Terrell, Texas. I grew up during segregation and the only schools that we could attend were Black colleges. I didn’t know them as HBCU’s at that time.

As a high school band member (flutist/piccolo player), I attended all competitions at Black colleges, e.g., Bishop College, Hutson-Tillutson, Prairie View College, and Wiley College.

Why did you choose an HBCU over a pwi?*

As stated above, it was the most logical choice. I am not familiar with the acronym “pwi.”

[How did you decide to become a student at Paul Quinn College?]

As a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, it was pretty much a given that I would attend Paul Quinn College.

What is the story of your "experience" at Your HBCU given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious institution?*

Well, the New Paul Quinn is kind of foreign to me. It is no longer located in Waco, Texas and the school’s alma mater song has been changed. However, I am very proud of its accomplishments and will endeavor to support it as much as I can.

"First time" experiences at your HBCU?*

It was the first time that I had been away from home on my own. It was the first time that I went to a nightclub. I saw Johnnie Taylor, Ike and Tina Turner, and James Brown. It was the first time that I left the State of Texas: Mississippi, college choir tour to California, Arizona, and Oklahoma; Church group: The Goodwill Chorus – Florida.

Who are the professors that have impacted your life in and out of the classroom? How did they do that?*

I often think about Mrs. Gamble (RIP), an English teacher. Her pet peeve was the incorrect pronunciation of the word “often.” She’d set her eyes upon us and say “The “t” is silent! It’s “ofen” not “often.” lol, lol.

I went through school on a choir and band scholarship. Mr. Waters, the choir director was a stickler for rounding our mouths. He disdained the use of “er” or “or” when singing. He constantly reminded us that we had to sing the word “Lord” as “Laud” and “water” as “wata.” He was also the band director. They taught me that anything worth doing is worth doing right.

N/A

What sports and/or extra curricular activities did you do in High School? And why?

Band took up all of my time – concert and marching. I hardly had any time to do anything else. The rest of the time was spent studying, doing chores, and playing outside!

Best restaurants on/near campus? Best dishes?

Restaurant? lol, lol, We ate hot link baskets from Lee’s Hot Links.

Remember, the world was just opening its doors to African Americans. We didn’t go where we weren’t wanted and we didn’t have “restaurant” money anyway! lol, lol.

College crush?

I didn’t have time for a college crush. I was there to get a quality education and it took a lot of my time.

Who invited you to interview with us?

N/A

Ghost stories involving buildings or spots on campus?

None of which I am aware.

What is your major? and Why did you choose it?

Elementary education. I chose it because I admired my high school teachers so much and I really didn’t know if I had what it took to major in business.

What to date has been your proudest moment @ Your HBCU?

I had so many proud moments. I was proud to have made the Dean’s list, get scholarships, voted as a campus beauty (even though I’m not a beauty), selected to be on the college recruitment team, cross the burning sands (Zeta Phi Beta Sorority),and nominated to run for Miss Paul Quinn College.

Where are the spots to go to if you wanted to cuddle with your boy or girlfriend?

I really didn’t have time for a boyfriend and cuddling was not my foretaste. I was on a mission of learning. I had a couple of boyfriends here and there, but nothing serious.

What are the chants heard most often at the sporting events?

PQC had a really big freshman class and football team for about two days in 1968 (when I entered school). They decided to stop the football program and half of the freshman class went home. We had basketball and baseball. Although I was a cheerleader the first year, I don’t remember any chants.

How are you positively active on campus? (e.g. clubs, SGA, etc.)

I was in the band, choir, social clubs, sorority, plays, talent shows, etc. I wanted to always be busy doing something positive.

Where is the “yard” located?

PQC was located on Elm street in Waco, Texas

What and where are the historical places on campus?

I am told that PQC’s address was historical because Elm Street was the historical Old Chisholm Trail that we hear about in the western movies.

What to date has been your saddest moment at your HBCU?

The day I was graduated from Paul Quinn was one of the saddest moments in my life. It meant that I would not see the people that I had met and come to love during the last 4 years after that day.

What situation in your life made you feel like you had arrived into woman/manhood?

When I found myself in college and able to make my own decisions about what I wanted to do every day, I knew that I was no longer my parents’ little girl. I had to become a responsible young woman because nobody was going to make me get up on time, go to class, or study.

How do you deal with racism when you encounter it?

I was taught to confront racism with dignity and I continue to do so now. It is true that the pen is mightier than the sword and the Bible teaches us to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. This simple precept is what has gotten the African American culture to this point in time as a whole people. Our teachers often reminded us that we had to be better if we wanted to be equal.

When and how did you discover your passion in life?

I discovered my passion for life when I was 12 years old and had that hoe in my hand, chopping away the grass from around the cotton for someone else for 12 hours each day, and making $5 per day! lol, lol. I knew then that I was college bound.

What's your take on life (in the philosophical sense)?

Every choice has a consequence – a good one and a bad one. If you choose the bad one, can you deal with it? If you choose the good one, then you’re on the right track.

How did you overcome your nervousness about going to college?

I was never nervous about going to college. It was my destiny. My high school teachers prepared us well and I knew that if I wanted to be successful in life, I would have to go to college. I never thought about failing because it was not an option for me.

How did your HBCU prepare you for a diverse workplace?

I don’t believe that Paul Quinn prepared me for a diverse workplace in as much as it prepared me to compete equally with others. I sought knowledge and PQC ensured that I received knowledge. What I did with that knowledge after being graduated in 1972 was up to me.

What advice would you give high school students filling out college applications for the first time?

Peruse the entire application before beginning. Read each question carefully. If you don’t know the answer, skip to the next question and come back to it when you have an answer. Gather all of the backup documentation needed to complete it. Have someone else to look over it (school counselor, etc).

If you could only speak two sentences to the youth coming after you what would you say?

It’s who you know to get where you want to go, but it’s what you know after you get there.

Have a passion for learning and never be afraid of a challenge; unless it is immoral and ethically out of bounds.

Are you a member of a sorority?

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. The sorority stood for finer womanhood and the young women who were Zetas were so impressive in character and intelligence.

They were my inspiration and I wanted to be respected as they were by everyone on campus. Their presence just demanded respect. It had nothing to do with their status. They were ladies in every sense of the word.

How did your HBCU help you to transition into your careers workforce?

I majored in elementary education and upon completion of college, I never wanted to see the inside of an elementary school building again. lol,lol. Student teaching was a lot of work – block courses, eating with the kids, jumping rope, and et cetera.

Instead, I worked in the employment and training field for 20 years. Apparently, teaching has always been at the core of my being, because in my latter years, I taught 12 years for the Dallas Independent School District and Metro Christian Academy (Arlington, TX).