NEWDAY DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES: Dr. Michael J. Sorrell is the longest-serving President in the 146-year history of Paul Quinn College. During his 11 years of leadership, Paul Quinn has become something unique – a small, private minority-serving institution that by focusing on the most persistent, prevalent, and pressing problems of our society, is remaking higher education and becoming a movement.
Among the Paul Quinn’s numerous accomplishments during President Sorrell’s tenure including receipt of the HBCU of the Year, creation the College’s first faculty-led study abroad program; and rewriting all institutional fundraising records.

Sorrell received his J.D. and M.A. in Public Policy from Duke University and his Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated from Oberlin College with a B.A. in Government.

Sorrell is the only three-time recipient of the HBCU Male President of the Year Award in history (2018, 2016 and 2012) and has been nominated a record six times.