Quinnite Love Stories celebrate alumni couples who met at Paul Quinn College and went on to build lasting partnerships rooted in friendship, faith, and shared purpose. These stories highlight the relationships that grew within the Quinnite Nation and reflect the values that define our community.
Through personal reflections on how they knew and the advice they would offer to others seeking love, each couple shares a glimpse into what it means to grow together over time. From campus connections to lifelong commitment, these features honor the power of community, consistency, and love that starts with friendship.
Together, these stories remind us that Paul Quinn College is not only a place where futures are shaped, but where lifelong bonds are formed.
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Troy: She was always easy to be around, and she still is. I admire her courage to have hard conversations and face things head-on. What started as fun quickly grew into deep friendship, and that foundation has carried us through everything.
Brook: we genuinely clicked. We were and still are great friends! We laughed constantly, being together felt easy, and I never had to question whether he cared because he always showed up for me. There was a freedom in the relationship that made it feel natural to choose him
Start with friendship and be patient. Take time to truly know the person, grow together, and build something real before you rush the label. A strong friendship can carry a relationship a long way.
Ed: When I realized that what I was praying for God had already given it to me, the opportunity before me was to receive the gift and nurture the gift or bypass it. I wasn’t waiting on God he was waiting on me.
T’Edra: When I realized that what I was asking for seemed too big for some yet not big enough for Ed. Annnnd my prayer was: God, I know what my pick can get let me see what your pick got.
For us before there was love there was a friendship that had proven itself to be consistent over a long period of time over a variety seasons. Learn to be consistent at showing up in the best and the worst of times when it’s convenient and when it’s not. After a while you find wondering why you’re spending your time in the wrong place and with the wrong people. Then you come to your senses and decide to give this “friendship a try” and realize that it was love all along.
Gio: When she fully accepted my strengths and flaws. Her unconditional love and support has motivated me to become a better version of myself every day.
Cici: When I understood that meeting your soulmate is not finding someone who likes everything you do, but inspires you to enjoy things different from your comfort zone.
Our advice is to not rush things, to enjoy the good times and to learn from the bad ones. As a poet once said…
“Amar no es mirarse el uno al otro, es mirar juntos en la misma dirección.” (Love is not looking at each other, it is looking together in the same direction).”
For Kenneth and Jenee Boston, love started effortlessly — with laughter, comfort, and a friendship that just made sense. What began as something light and fun slowly deepened into a partnership grounded in trust, honesty, and consistently showing up for one another.
Kenneth recognized early that Jenee was different when the first place she invited him to was church. She brought ease into his life, stood strong in difficult moments, and faced challenges with courage and prayer. That solid friendship, he believes, became the anchor that’s carried them through every season.
Jenee felt that same spark. Their connection was natural, fun, and refreshing. With Ken, she never had to second-guess his intentions — he showed his care through his actions, not just words. Choosing to build a future together didn’t feel complicated; it felt right.
Their advice to the Quinnite Nation: Build the foundation with friendship and practice patience. Learn each other deeply. Grow side by side. When your foundation is created by a love for God and a real friendship, your “house of love” is built to last.
We knew we had found “the one” when we realized our differences weren’t obstacles but they were divine design. Our lifestyles, likes, and needs weren’t identical, but they fit together perfectly, like pieces of a purpose filled puzzle. Soulfully, we aligned. Every challenge only made us stronger, and day by day we built our love brick by brick, with grace, patience, and no friction strong enough to break us. That’s when it became undeniable.
Stay open and trust God’s timing. The love meant for you may not look like what you imagined, but it will feel like peace, growth, and purpose. God doesn’t always send what you think you want… He sends exactly what your heart and destiny need. When it’s real, it won’t just excite you, it will elevate you.
Steven: I wish I could say that when my eyes met Michelle, I saw the rest of our lives laid out in front of me, but that wasn’t the case. I met Michelle when I was 16, and my intention was to date to marry, but as a 16-year-old kid, what did I know about marriage or love? One thing I did realize quickly was that Michelle was genuine and a pleasure to be around. I consistently wanted to spend time with her. As our relationship grew over time, my love for her deepened day by day. One day, many years later, as I was reflecting on our story, the laughs, love, smiles, hugs, and even the tears we faced, I realized she was someone I wanted by my side for the rest of my life. In my case, it may not have been something as simple as “I just knew,” but our love has been built over time, tested by life, and strengthened through every season, and I would argue that is the greatest kind of love there is.
Michelle: I think I knew from the beginning that he would be someone very special in my life, but I knew he was the one when he made me feel safe, loved, and supported. We’ve walked through so many stages of life together that shaped us into better individuals and ultimately better partners for each other. Life hasn’t always been easy, but having someone who lifts you up and encourages you to keep going makes all the difference. Our love has only grown deeper and stronger over time. He’s truly my best friend, and I love doing life with him.
Our advice for the Quinnite Nation to finding love would be to focus on becoming the best version of yourself first. It’s not just about finding the right person, it’s about being ready for them too. Trust God’s timing because what’s meant for you won’t miss you. And when you do find love, it should feel safe, peaceful, and supportive. Choose someone who chooses you every day.
Jasmine: when I met Eric he held my attention so fully that I never had the desire to entertain anyone else.
Eric: the moment I saw Jasmine walk across from the Science building, I knew that when I got my chance, she was going to be my wife.
Date with a purpose! Recognize if a person is bringing value to your life or taking away your peace!
Spud: When I found myself driving from my home in Tampa, Florida to her family’s home in Bigelow, Arkansas after having reconstruction ankle surgery in summer of 1990, I knew that something was different about us. Flo had decided to transfer to UAPB and I didn’t want her to do that. I wanted to continue our relationship without the distance. Meeting her in Bigelow was my one chance to convince her to return to Paul Quinn. It worked and the rest is history.
Keep your love steady and make space for forgiveness as you grow.
We put each other first. We don’t allow either of us to outdo both of us and we do the Webbs, not the “Joneses”.
WE OVER Me
Coach Keldrick McKinney is a native of Dallas, Texas who enters his third year as the Head Track and Field/Cross Country Coach at Paul Quinn College. After serving one year as Associate Head Coach under the leadership of Coach Maurice West; Coach McKinney was given the opportunity by Paul Quinn’s legendary Athletic Director James “Zip” Summers.
The program has quickly grown from 3 to now 25 student athletes under the leadership of Coach McKinney. In the second year of competing at the Red River Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships, the Paul Quinn Tigers placed two athletes in the Top 10.
Coach McKinney received his bachelor’s in Kinesiology from Prairie View A&M University. After graduation he then opened a training facility where he trained hundreds of athletes. This provided the background and experience for Coach to thrive at the next level. Coach McKinney’s student-athletes not only excel on the track but also in the classroom as well. Coach McKinney’s team maintains over a 3.0 gpa.
Coach Michael Delgado has been coaching at the collegiate level since 2009. He began his coaching career at Howard Payne University, shortly after starting his time there as a collegiate soccer player. He began as a student coach and after graduating with a degree in Spanish Education, became an assistant.
In 2015, Coach Delgado moved back to Dallas to form the Men’s and Women’s Soccer program at Paul Quinn College as the assistant coach and became the head coach of the Women’s team in 2017. From 2015-2021 he was also the Men’s assistant coach.
In 2021, Coach Delgado took over the Men’s program and led the team as the #3 seed (highest in school history) to the USCAA National Championship for the 3rd year in a row, with a 3rd place finish.
Coach Delgado is a Dallas native and graduated from Mesquite Poteet High School as a district MVP & All-State. He holds his Master’s degree from Concordia University in Coaching & Athletic Administration. He resides in the campus neighborhood of Highland Hills and lives daily by his motto, #AlwaysRefuse2Lose.
Brandon Espinosa starts his fourth season as Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Paul Quinn College.
Last season, Coach Espinosa and the Tigers had a historic 19 game turnaround from the previous year going from 7-25 to 26-2 (12-2 RRAC). Coach Espinosa led the 2021-2022 Tigers to the school’s first USCAA Men’s Division I National Championship and the 3rd overall national championship in school history. The Tigers also won the Red River Athletic Conference West (RRAC) regular season title for the first time since joining the conference in 1998. The Tigers finished the 2021-2022 season with the most RRAC wins and highest winning percentage in a season in program history.
The Tigers were the No. 1 seed at USCAA Nationals and had a dominant showing with 3 double digits wins. The championship game featured seven ties and ten lead changes. After trailing by four at half, 38-34, Bryant & Stratton led 67-65 with 6:33 left in the game. Henry Hampton hit a jumper a minute later to give Paul Quinn the lead to highlight a 10-0 run to seal the victory for the Tigers. Ja’Mare Redus led PQC with 18 points while Hampton finished with 17. Spencer McElway added 12, Ja’Mere Redus came off the bench and scored 11, and Steven Tynes chipped in seven points and nine assists.
While the team’s collective efforts were the deciding factor in their success, several outstanding individuals led them both on and off the court. Coach Brandon Espinosa was recognized as the USCAA National Coach of the Year. In addition, senior forward Spencer McElway was selected as a USCAA 1st Team All American, USCAA All Tournament Team and RRAC 2nd Team All Conference. Sophomore forward Trevoin Shaw was voted USCAA 1st Team All American, USCAA All Tournament Team and RRAC 1st Team All Conference. Sophomore guard Ja’mare Redus received USCAA Tournament MVP as well as USCAA 2nd Team All American Honors. Sophomore guard Torron Mingo Jr. earned the USCAA Academic All American award. Junior guard Caleb Thompson received the RRAC Champions of Character award.
During his first season with Paul Quinn, Espinosa led the Tigers to the most conference victories since 2012-2013. In addition, PQC had two players receive RRAC All Conference honors; Spencer McElway was 1st Team All RRAC and Mateo Escheik received 2nd Team All RRAC honors. McElway also joined the schools 1000-point club.
Espinosa also serves as the Director of EYBL and 17U Head Coach for Drive Nation which was founded by former NBA All-Star Jermaine O’Neal. This summer Drive Nation qualified for the 2021 Nike Peach Jam and currently has the most ESPN Top 100 ranked players in the country.
Espinosa has held coaching positions at Bossier Parish Community College, Ranger College and with the Dallas Mavericks NBA G-League affiliate, Texas Legends.
Espinosa is a native of Houston, Texas. He played collegiately for Dallas Christian College, where in 2010 they won the ACCA National Championship. Espinosa earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2011.
Paul Quinn did not compete in 2020-2021 due to Covid-19.
Camille Smith is in her first season at Paul Quinn College.
Smith was hired in early March and her most recent position was as an Assistant Coach for the WNBA Dallas Wings.
Prior to coaching, Smith played professionally for 10 seasons internationally and 12 seasons in the WNBA before retiring in 2019. Smith was drafted to the San Antonio Silver Stars in the 2007 WNBA Draft as the 17th Overall pick. Amid the start of the 2008 WNBA season, Smith was selected in the Atlanta Dream dispersal draft before being traded to the Seattle Storm where Smith played and won a championship in 2010! In 2015 Smith was traded to the Connecticut Sun, then to the Phoenix Mercury in 2017, where she finished her career.
Internationally, Smith played on multiple teams in Israel (2015 Israel League Champion) and China. She also played in Turkey, Limassol, Cyrpus, Ragusa, Sicily (2016 Cup Champion), Lebanon (2017 Arab Cup Champion), Montpelier, France, and Venice, Italy (2018 Euro Cup runner-up).
As a former student-athlete at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Camille graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in interpersonal communications. A four-time All-ACC selection, she finished her college career with over 1,700 points, 800 rebounds, 250 assists, and 250 steals. As a senior, Camille averaged 13.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game along with 99 steals to help the Tar Heels reach the Final Four. Camille is ranked among the top 20 all-time scorers at UNC and was named Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press following her junior year. She averaged 11.7 points and 5.5 rebounds as a junior. As a sophomore, Camille averaged 13.3 points and 8.0 rebounds in the ACC tournament, including a 23-point game against Duke in the finals. In 2004, she was named ACC Rookie of the Year and was the only freshman selected as a finalist for Kodak All-American honor. Camille became the first Tar Heel to be named first-team All-ACC as a freshman.
In high school, Camille was named Associated Press NC Player of the Year and NC Miss Basketball (Class 3A; 2003). Camille was also awarded State Player of the Year by the Charlotte Observer and NC Gatorade Player of the Year (2002 and 2003). In 2001, Camille shared AP Player of the Year honors at Carver High School and helped her team finish with a 30-0 record and State Championship. Camille is a three-time All-State Selection and averaged 20.2 points and 11.1 rebounds per game during her senior year. She holds the record of 2,168 career points during her high school career, was a McDonald’s High School All-American, and played in the 2002 USA Basketball Youth Development Festival. Camille was also named Piedmont Triad All-Conference, four years in a row, and Piedmont Triad Conference Player of the Year, three years in a row.
Camille Smith & her husband Jeremis Smith are happily married & live in the Historical Stop 6 Community.
Coach Patrick Gonzalez is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. He has a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with emphasis in Criminal Justice from Texas Wesleyan University. He also has a M.Ed. in Sports Administration from Concordia University in Austin, Texas. He has coached volleyball for over thirteen years. He has coached on the high school, club, and collegiate level.
He currently coaches for 360 Volleyball Club in Arlington, Texas. Coach Gonzalez brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Paul Quinn College volleyball program. He served as the women’s assistant volleyball coach at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee for five seasons. While at Fisk University, Coach Gonzalez served as an Admissions Counselor and Director of International Student Services in the Office of Student Engagement. He has also worked at Howard University in Washington, D.C. and served as the Associate Director of Minority Outreach in the Office of Admissions. He most recently was selected into the Big XII Reach & Teach Volleyball Diversity Program.