7 / 24
The Pinecone
|
January 2016
• 7 •
A PA S S I ON F O R K NOW L E D G E
Prince McLemore
In taking the measure of Prince McLemore, one must become
familiar with the life of this young boy and his journey toward
fulfillment of an ideal laid out by his Mother. He had no male role
model in the home because his Father passed away when Prince
was 5 years old, but his Uncle William lived near by and was a
positive force in the child’s life. His mother worked outside the
home and, perforce, Prince was the “homemaker” at a very early
age. His duties included the daily chores of sweeping, polishing
furniture, washing and drying dishes, and laundry. Even so, Prince
learned to read at an early age and books became his passion.
Prince joined Calvary Presbyterian Church and was held in high
regard by the Elders, and he was appointed a Deacon when he
was 21 years old. When he moved to Toledo, Ohio, the Pastor
nominated him to join a missions group of young people who
traveled to Gabon, Africa to build bridges and similar structures
for the local churches. As many helped him during the anxious
years of approaching adult status, Prince was able to help meet
the needs of fellow Christians in Gabon. It was his introduction
to the satisfaction gained from physical labor for the “Glory of
God”.
The “stars were aligning” (so to speak) for Prince when Joliet
Junior College hired him as their first full-time Black Professor.
Serendipitously, he happened upon an article and picture in
the local newspaper about a Black Physical Therapist, whose
name is now Elsie McLemore – his wife and mother of their
son. His poems to Elsie celebrate all that she means to him –
life was good indeed. Northwestern U. awarded Prince a PhD.
in Education with a major interest in African American History.
A Tenured Professor, he taught for 26 years at Governors State
U. as Chairman, Division of Education. Social Theory was his
consuming interest, studying the interplay of political science,
history, economics, and philosophy. He also was past President
of the Illinois Council of Social Studies, and founding President
of Phi Delta Kappa professional fraternity at Governors State
U. Prince authored many books and thus became acquainted
with the subtle publishing barriers faced by black authors, but he
persevered, and overcame. He admired the courage of Reverend
Martin Luther King and his determination to be the public face of
those working for equal opportunity. Prince counted it a privilege
to know Dr. King and was brought low by his assassination.
Determined, tenacious, focused - Prince and his life will be
measured by what he has accomplished in the face of daunting
entrenched barriers. Impressive.
- Jacqueline Besteman, Resident
It’s quite obvious how much Elsie still means to Prince!
“The t rue measure of a man
i s not what he dreams
but what he aspi res to be
- a dream i s noth i ng
wi thout act ion . ”
-Mi ke Nor ton