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Photos by Chuck Zovko Getting to know students like Josh Warrell (right) is one of the most meaningful parts of being a principal for Harrison Bailey III ’95. Personal Focus, PublIc VoIce With a powerful but gentle touch, Harrison Bailey ’95 ıs changing the world one student at a time. By Stevie O. Daniels Like Mentor, whom Odysseus placed in charge of his son Telemachus when he left for the Trojan War, Harrison Bailey III watches over more than 800 students. As an assistant principal at Parkland High School, Allentown, Pa., Harrison Bailey III ’95 also oversees safety, graduation, hall monitors, and teacher duties. While keeping an eye on their discipline and attendance is fundamental, he is also part of the advisory team assigned to each of them that includes a guidance counselor. “The most meaningful aspect of what I do,” says Bailey, in a rich, oratory voice, “is interacting with the 12 ◆ McDonogh report ◆ Winter 2011
students. I have the opportunity to mentor them and help them work out plans to further their interest in a particular area or to move toward the career that they envision for themselves.” In addition, he started a Cultural Awareness Club a few years ago and continues as the adviser. The club, which has about 75 members, includes students from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. The school has 3,200 students, and Bailey says that although he may not work with each one directly, he does get to know them all by face. Establishing that one-to-one connection is an important foundation not only for building rapport between administration and students but also for spotting signs that could indicate a problem or a strength that needs a little nurturing. A Path That Fıts And it was experiencing just that kind of nurturing that led Bailey to his current role. While he describes being an assistant principal as a blessing and knows now that it is something he was “meant to do,” the route to this destination was indirect. “In my senior year at Lafayette I was talking with Fluney [Gladstone Hutchinson, associate professor of economics and business] about my future, and said I wanted to go into public speaking,” recalls Bailey. “He said ‘why would anyone want to ask you to speak First, you need to get your master’s.’” Then, as Bailey neared completion of his master’s in education at Lehigh University, he received a second similar message. The professor for his last class suggested that he could be an educational administrator and still do public speaking. So, Bailey conducted an internship while obtaining his principalship certification. He found the interaction with students to be the most interesting part of his work. In 2000, he applied for an opening at Parkland High School to gain experience in interviewing. To his surprise, he was hired, and the unfoldment began. The importance of mentoring in Bailey’s life and the difference he has seen it make in his own students’ lives, is pivotal to him. He is currently working with colleagues “I was helped to achieve, and I am devoted to helping others in the same way.” from area high schools to hold a conference on leadership and mentoring and will soon begin work on his doctorate with plans to write a thesis on the role mentoring plays in students’ outcomes. “A lot of great people helped me get where I am today,” says Bailey, who grew up in Lakewood, N.J., “my high school coach, my babysitter from age 2 to 13 since both my parents worked in New York City, and the many topnotch teachers that I have had. I was helped to achieve, and I am devoted to helping others in the same way.” Bailey, who is wearing his Patriot League champion ship ring, says his experience at Lafayette as co-chair of the Brothers of Lafayette and captain of the track and football teams made him comfortable with being a leader. “That experience fortified my administrative skills,” he says. In addition, attending Lafayette prepared him for what he is going through now—being the only African American professional in the school district until a year ago. “Getting through the culture shock of being a minority at Lafayette has helped me handle it here. It doesn’t hold me back at all, but it does have an effect.” Champıon Athlete Bailey sets high expectations for himself academically and professionally and inspires students to do the same. He also excels in the world of athletics. Current U.S. Champion of the Highland Games, in which he has competed in for 10 years as a professional, he holds the Lafayette record in football for career quarterback sacks and in track and field for discus. The first and only African American who participates in the Highland Games, Bailey was introduced to the sport by Paul Ferency, his discus coach at Lafayette and a former World Record holder. “Paul agreed to coach me,” says Bailey, “and I started training in 1997.” After playing amateur for several years, he turned pro in 1999. The Highland Games began centuries ago in Scotland as competitions of strength, speed, agility, and skill. The events, which have changed little over time, include Winter 2011 ◆ McDonogh report ◆ 13
Page 1 and 2: Winter 2011 McDonogh Report Youngs
Page 3 and 4: McDonogh Report Winter 2011 PressIn
Page 5 and 6: PressIng Forward Kenya Allen ’02
Page 7 and 8: elected official “I can most effe
Page 9 and 10: What I experienced when I arrived o
Page 11 and 12: Fraternity Won Encounter with Racis
Page 13: KeepIng Watch Jacquelyn Wilkins ’
Page 17 and 18: ExplorIng TherapeutIc Drugs As a po
Page 19 and 20: Campus BrIefs Artist in Residence:
Page 21 and 22: McKnight Is Named Associate Dean of
Page 23 and 24: Campus Climate Study Results Discus

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