Dec. 3, 2009 — Oberlin

On Dec. 3, 1833, John Jay Shipherd and Philo Stewart opened Oberlin Collegiate Institute, now Oberlin College, to train Christian leaders in the Midwest.

Oberlin was the first college to admit students regardless of race, the first to open its doors to women as well as men, the first to admit an African-American woman.

In 1862, Oberlin student Mary Jane Patterson of Raleigh, North Carolina, became the first female African-American to graduate with a bachelor's degree.

Oberlin Institute chose Jesus as its model, who was always on the forefront of change when it came to opening the door wider to including and accepting others.

Just a thought. I'm Sid Batts from First Presbyterian Church in downtown Greensboro, fpcgreensboro.org.