Joshua Packwood is a minority among minority, as the first white valedictorian of historically black Morehouse College whose distinguished alumni include Martin Luther King, Jr., Julian Bond, Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, David Satcher, Lerone Bennett, Jr., and Calvin O. Butts, III.

****UPDATED: May 19, 2008 - Scroll to the end for updates and new video****

“Because I’m one of the only white students, it’s easy to call me ‘the white boy,’ I’m naturally going to stand out,” says Packwood.

But Packwood, 22, doesn’t stand out solely because he is white or has maintained a 4.0 grade point average. For those who don’t know him, what is surprising is that a Rhodes Scholar finalist turned down a full scholarship to Columbia University to attend the all-black men’s university.

This came naturally to Packwood, who attended a predominantly black high school.

“A large majority of my friends, like all my girlfriends have been minorities,” says Packwood. “So it was very, it was kind of strange that I always kind of gravitated to the black community.”

Source: White valedictorian: A first for historically black Morehouse

Morehouse has admitted white students since the 1960s, although they are a minority on campus. An article from the AP notes that Packwood’s recruiter at Morehouse assumed he was black.

When Packwood applied to Morehouse, he had frequent conversations with George Gray, an alumnus who was a recruiter at the school. Gray was impressed by Packwood’s credentials and spent months trying to talk the sought-after senior into choosing Morehouse over other elite schools.

“He had outstanding numbers,” said Gray, now director of admissions at historically black Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark. “He was the kind of kid we were looking for to be a presidential scholar.”

After several conversations, Packwood began to suspect that Gray had no idea that he was white. His suspicions were confirmed when one of Gray’s calls caught Packwood in the middle of track practice.

“Don’t let the white kids walk you down,” Gray quipped.

“Wait,” Packwood responded. “You know I’m white, right?”

Silence. Uneasy laughter. Confirmation.

“The challenge was to get the best student that we could, and Josh definitely fit that,” Gray said.

And for Packwood, knowing that he had been picked on his merits, and not as a token white recruit, made the difference.

“That said I could come here and, ironically, be accepted for who I am,” Packwood said. “I thought I made the right decision then, and I know I made the right decision now.”

It was not as if this was the first time Packwood experienced life in the minority. He was among the few white students in his class at Grandview Senior High School in suburban Kansas City, Mo. He has mixed-race siblings and his mother was married to an African-American. Packwood’s experiences growing up have helped him navigate black culture while remaining comfortable with his own complexion.

Source: Historically Black College Honors First White Valedictorian

Joshua Packwood is profiled and interviewed in this AP video.

Joshua Packwood’s achievement has brought press attention not only to himself but to the distinguished history and tradition of Morehouse College and the “Morehouse mystique.”

UPDATE: The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported on the Morehouse Commencement and Joshua Packwood’s commencement address on May 18, 2008.

And Sunday morning he made history, becoming the historically black, all-male college’s first white valedictorian.

Despite the difference in skin color, he said he sees no difference between himself and his more than 500 fellow graduates.

“Though there may be diversity of race, ethnicity, religion or background, we are all brothers of Morehouse College,” Packwood, 22, said during his valedictory address.

Packwood’s mother, Kim Packwood was there to celebrate her son’s accomplishment.

“I’m so proud, it’s beyond words,” she said. “My heart is full.”

Packwood, a Kansas City, Mo.-native, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a perfect 4.0 grade-point average.

Source: White valedictorian makes Morehouse history

UPDATE - May 19, 2008 — NBC Nightly News did a brief segment on Joshua Packwood.

See also:

• NPR Audio: Valedictorian Makes History
• Unlikely First At Historic Black College

Joshua Packwood, First White Valedictorian in Morehouse College’s 141 Year History