In
an explosion of song and praise, (NAT) gospel choirs around Augusta rocked Gilbert-Lambuth
Memorial Chapel on Paine College's campus. The concert brings an end to the
school's homecoming weekend, celebrating 131 years of academic excellence.
"That's
just a long time that Paine has been up and running and educated young black
students like me. And I'm so grateful to be a part of that legacy," said Dennisha Patterson, a former Paine College student.
Founded
as a high school in 1882, the school was called The Paine Institute. It
gradually added a college component, awarding its first four-year degrees in
1901 and renamed as Paine College. Since then, the school has graduated
thousands of alumni; many who return every year.
The
homecoming weekend kicked off with the 13th annual Scholarship
Masked Ball, raising money for honor students. Saturday festivities
began with the homecoming parade, then the Lions hit the hardwood in the HEAL
Complex for the homecoming game.
"It's
amazing because it's good when you can have your own school fun at your school," said Conroy Richards, a sophomore at Paine College.
This was the first
time in more than a decade the basketball teams played on their home court for
its homecoming game – keeping in line with this year's theme: ‘Homecoming
Returns Home.' The HEAL Complex helped the homecoming game set a record 2,319 fans in attendance.
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