by Marie Dennehy '93
Visitors are greeted with a smile that lights
up his whole face, the same smile that for almost three decades welcomed
and put at ease the hundreds of minority students stepping onto the BSC campus
for the first time. It is the smile of Mr. Paul Gaines , '68, recently retired
Assistant to the President for Affirmative Action and Minority Affairs at
Bridgewater State College.
Mr. Gaines first came to BSC as a graduate student in
the late 1960s, graduating with a master's degree in counseling, with plans
to return to his native Newport and continue his career as a high school
teacher, counselor, and coach.
Bridgewater State College administrators Dr. Henry Fanning,
Dr. Lee Harrington, and Dr. Philip Dooley approached him shortly after graduation
with an offer of a position on campus. "One of my major assignments was to
establish a program of recruitment, support, and retention of minority students,"
he recalls. "There were three black students on campus at the time, and the
first year we brought in 11 more." The minority population greatly expanded
under his administration. BSC has a minority population of close to 600 for
the academic year 1996-97.
An enthusiastic proponent of minority recruitment, Mr.
Gaines explains that BSC's program was the first in the state college system.
"Lee Harrington had a great deal of foresight," he says. "Only a few years
later, our types of programs became mandatory , and we were the pilot program
for all those that followed."
He has always been adamant that BSC should not recruit
students just to increase the numbers, however. He likes to focus on retention
and graduation rates. "In the early days, we were criticized because our
numbers were not increasing rapidly," he explains , "but I never wanted to
have revolving door admissions, with high numbers of students but low graduation
rates, and the administration supported me."
This is why he developed retention programs, to assist
these students with their academics. He is delighted to report that BSC minority
graduation rates are high.
The list of programs that he developed or helped to develop
as part of the support and retention phase of his work is impressive:
PROGRESS/Outreach, to recruit and retain minority students; the AFRO-AM Club,
an organization of African-American students ; the African-American Alumni
Association; the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Memorial Breakfast; the
Hall of Black Achievement; the Rose Scholarship, to recognize scholastic
excellence; the Robert Daniel African-American Scholarship program; the Latino
Club, an organization of Hispanic students; the Leadership, Education, and
Academic Development Program; and the BSC Racial and Cultural Diversity Plan.
Development of these programs came a steady pace. When
he discovered a need, he helped establish a program to fill the gap. "The
development of these programs exhibits the BSC commitment to provide support
and to help students develop a feeling of belonging," he says.
A caring and competent administrator, Mr. Gaines spent
much of his career assisting the diverse populations located in cities and
towns within commuting distance of the college. His advice and assistance
were sought during times of difficulty with issu es of economic and social
disenfranchisement.
"Education is the only way out of the cycle of poverty,
and BSC is in a wonderful position to help break that cycle for many
undergraduate students," he says. "Some of these students could never afford
to go away to college, but it is possible for them to get a degree if they
live at home and commute."
There have been many changes on the BSC campus during
his 28 year career, and he believes that the minority students enrolling
now are seeing a different college than that of the late '60s, '70s, and
'80s. "These students are standing on the shoulders of those kids who came
early on," he says. "Is it perfect now? No, of course not, but there is a
lot more support available for these students than for those early ones."
As he remembers the climate on campus at that time, he
is still impressed with those earlier students. "They were strong willed
and determined, and together we forged a lot of new ground and laid the
groundwork for the present populations."
A father of four children, all of whom attended BSC,
Mr. Gaines is also an active participant in his community. He was the first
black city councilman, then the first black mayor. He has served as a
commissioner of the Rhode Island Ethics Commission and was a delegate to
the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention. With typical modesty, he refuses
to accept accolades for his work. He prefers to defer credit for his achievements
to others at BSC and in Newport. "When you have good people surrounding you,
that makes you look good," he says. "There is no way that I could have succeeded
without the support of family, friends and colleagues."
Even taking into consideration the demanding and sometimes
hectic pace of his commitments, the decision to retire was not an easy one
for him. "During the past 28 years, I've made some very good friends and
have fond memories." he says. "But what really made it difficult was knowing
that I was going to leave behind some very fine young people that I have
a strong sense of concern for. They are a very special group of young men
and women. I will really miss them and their energy."
Mr. Gaines has formulated no real plans for the immediate
future, but says that other people have plans for him, and he's keeping his
options open. "The main thing for me is to stay healthy and active," he says.
"Then, whatever falls in place, falls in place."
During his long and successful career serving the needs
of others, he has touched and changed the lives of many students. After serving
as mentor and friend to hundreds of these students, Mr. Gaines can look back
with great satisfaction at what he has accomplished, particularly at Commencement
time. "It's very gratifying to see the students cross that stage, because
I know that I've been a part of it," he says. "And it's especially wonderful
when you know that there are those that might not have made it if there hadn't
been some personal attention given them. That's when you say, 'son of a gun,
it's all worth it.'"
