Paul Quinn College, the nation’s first Urban Work College, congratulates its 2024 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) Team for advancing to the 2024 HCASC National Championship Tournament for the third time in the school’s history.
Paul Quinn’s 2024 HCASC Team is comprised of students Leah Butler, a Senior majoring in Business Administration; Makale Johnson, a Senior majoring in Business Entrepreneurship; Kai Sawyer-Harris, a Senior majoring in Business Administration; and Mandy Samone Brooks, a Senior majoring in Psychology.
“We are incredibly proud of our students and coaches for qualifying for the national championship,” said Dr. Michael J. Sorrell, President of Paul Quinn College. “This dynamic team embodies the essence of the Quinnite Nation. They are smart, strong, and resilient. While we do not believe in celebrating at halftime, we do believe in acknowledging the work that it took to get this far in the competition. We look forward to them winning the title.”
The team will compete against 31 other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) April 6 – 12 in Torrance, CA for the National Championship title and a portion of more than $500,000 in institutional grants and scholarships provided by Honda. The winning team will receive $100,000 in prize money for scholarships and academic programming.
The team placed second in the HCASC National Qualifying Tournament in February and, in previous years, earned a spot in the “Sweet Sixteen” round. A team from Paul Quinn College has participated in the HCASC since the 1989-1990 season.
The scholars are supported by a dedicated faculty and staff team, including HCASC Head Coach, Dr. Ervin James III, Associate Professor of History and African American Studies; HCASC Campus Coordinator, Ms. Annette Neal, Administrator, TRiO Student Support Services; HCASC Assistant Coach, Mrs. Tartisha Hill, Paul Quinn Alumnus, and Balch Springs City Council Place 2 candidate; and Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs for Paul Quinn, Dr. Kizuwanda Grant.
Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is a year-round program that celebrates HBCU academic excellence and showcases the best and brightest minds from HBCUs nationwide. The 32 teams of four students from participating schools will go head-to-head in a battle of academic skill, quickly answering questions on various topics, including history, science, math, pop culture, and more.
“The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge has provided a national stage for generations of talented HBCU students to display their impressive academic capabilities and the rich culture of HBCUs,” said Yvette Hunsicker, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion & Diversity at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Honda is proud of our longstanding commitment to supporting and inspiring the next generation of leaders by providing HBCU students with the tools and experiences they need to live their dreams.”
HCASC challenges students to expand their scope of knowledge with the opportunity to gain lifelong learning skills, including leadership, collaboration, and sportsmanship. Participating students can also build camaraderie with students from other HBCUs and gain networking and mentorship opportunities with HCASC alums, volunteers, and Honda associates. Additionally, Honda offers development seminars to help prepare students for success after graduation.
Fans can view the exciting HCASC National Championship finals online April 11th –12th at HCASC.com.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_hcasc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/HCASCNCT/videos
About Paul Quinn College
Paul Quinn College is a private, faith-based, four-year, liberal arts-inspired college founded in 1872, by a group of African Methodist Episcopal Church preachers in Austin, Texas. The school’s original purpose was to educate freed slaves and their offspring. Today, Paul Quinn proudly educates students of all races and socioeconomic classes under the banner of its institutional ethos, WE over Me. It is the first Urban Work College and the only minority-serving, federally recognized work college in America. Paul Quinn is viewed as one of the most innovative colleges in America, one that continuously expands the boundaries of higher education and community advocacy in its quest to eradicate intergenerational poverty. For more information, visit www.paulquinn.edu.
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