The mission of Patrick Henry College was to attract and cultivate academic stars from the ranks of home-schooled evangelicals, then send them off on graduation day to 'shape the culture and take back the nation,' in the words of a common home-schooling rallying cry.

In this quote, Nina Easton describes the mission of Patrick Henry College, which was founded with the goal of attracting academically talented students from home-schooled evangelicals. The college’s vision was to nurture these students and equip them with the skills to influence and change society after graduation. The phrase "shape the culture and take back the nation" reflects the college's ambition to train individuals who would use their education and values to drive change, particularly in a way that aligns with evangelical Christian ideals.

The quote also highlights the specific cultural and ideological mission behind the college’s focus on home-schooled students. These students were often raised in a religious, conservative environment, and the college sought to cultivate them into leaders who could affect change in a broader societal context. The reference to a home-schooling rallying cry reveals the college’s alignment with a broader movement that values conservative principles and aims to reclaim a certain influence over the country’s direction, especially in terms of politics and culture.

The origin of this quote stems from Easton’s observation of how Patrick Henry College was specifically tailored to a certain demographic and ideology. Easton’s background as a journalist and political analyst allows her to examine institutions like Patrick Henry College within the broader context of American politics, especially in terms of how education can be used to cultivate ideological and political leadership.

Through this quote, Easton underscores the intersection of education and ideology, illustrating how certain educational institutions are designed to promote particular values and influence the future direction of society. The mission of Patrick Henry College, as described here, reflects the belief that academic success can be used as a tool to shape a cultural and political agenda, especially one rooted in religious conservatism.