VOORHEES COLLEGE DENMARK, SOUTH CAROLINA
1897-2017 THURSDAY, THE SEVENTH OF SEPTEMBER TWO THOUSAND AND SEVENTEEN TEN O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING LEONARD E. DAWSON HEALTH AND HUMAN RESOURCES CENTER
DR. W. FRANKLIN EVANS, PRESIDENT
The formal opening convocation today is the first official assembly of the 2021-2022 academic year at Voorhees College. The word “convocation,” in this sense, indicates a coming together or a summons in which a response is required. Today, we affirm the unity needed by our College and remind ourselves of the aspiration of mind and spirit which say, officially, we have begun another year of academic pursuit and education ventures.
In today’s ceremony, the faculty and staff, together with administrators, members of the Board of Trustees, and the President, are led by the Chief Marshal, who at the end of the procession, taps the ceremonial baton and requests permission to inaugurate the proceedings. Trustees and faculty march according to rank and in order of seniority. All individuals in the procession are attired in the formal academic regalia representing the degrees that have been awarded to them by institutions of higher learning. The seal on the front cover of this program symbolizes the beginning of a phenomenal legacy that had its genesis with our founder, Elizabeth Evelyn Wright Menafee.
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~PROGRAM~ Dr. Damara Hightower Mitchell, Provost Presiding Prelude ................................................................................................................................................ Mr. Myron Brooker Visiting Professor of Music *Processional …………………...….. “War March of the Priests” .................... Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy *Opening of the Convocation. ............................................................................................................... Mr. Roger Riley Chief Marshal *Posting of the Colors ............................................................................................................................................... ROTC * National Anthem and Lift Every Voice and Sing……………………………………………..College Choir
*College Hymn …………………..“We Build Our School on Thee, O Lord” ....................... William Gardiner Sacred Melodies, 1815 Invocation ..................................................................................................... Reverend Dr. Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. Director of Library Services/Assistant Professor of Library Sciences and Theological Studies Greetings ..............................................................................................................................................Mr. David Miller’84 Chairman, Board of Trustees Mr. Joshua Gayle’22 President, Student Government Association The Honorable Dr. Gerald Wright’61 Mayor, Denmark, South Carolina Selection .........................................................................................................................................................College Choir Ms. Rachel Jones’91, Directing Introduction of the Speaker .................................................................................... Dr. Damara Hightower Mitchell Opening Convocation Address ...................................................................................................... Dr. Ronnie Hopkins 10th President & CEO of The College Recognition of Faculty, Staff, Administrative Staff, and Special Guests ................................. Dr. Prince Brown Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Announcements ………………………………………………………………………….Miss Erianna Card‘22 Miss Voorhees College 2021-2022 *Alma Mater . ........................................................................................................................................................ Audience *Benediction. ................................................................................................. Reverend Dr. Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. *Retiring of the Colors. ............................................................................................................................................ ROTC *Recessional................................................................ “Pomp and Circumstance,” Arranged by Sir Edward Edgar *Audience Stand THREE
Ronnie Hopkins,10th President & CEO of the College /
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A Historical Sketch of Voorhees College Most memorable about Voorhees’ history is the story of its founder, Elizabeth Evelyn Wright. She was a black woman in her early twenties who, in spite of betrayals, arson, jealousies, threats of violence, and weariness from wandering, persevered and founded a school in Denmark, South Carolina, on April 14, 1897. Although only fourteen students came, the school opened in makeshift quarters above a store in Sato, now called “old Denmark.” By 1898, enrollment had reached 270. This was a far cry from Miss Wright’s earlier efforts to start a school in Hampton County, and later in Govan, where she was thwarted for three years by community hostility and lack of support. But the few who had helped her in Hampton County and who believed in her vision to start a school for black youths continued to support her efforts in Denmark. Most prominent among them were S. P. Porter, a railroad man from McNeil, South Carolina; Mrs. Almira Steele of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Judge Wiggins of Colleton County, South Carolina; and Miss Jessie Dorsey, the first teacher, a nurse from Cashocton, Ohio. The success of the school in Denmark was largely due to the assistance given by a “seasoned presence” in the community, State Senator S. G. Mayfield, a local lawyer, who took an interest in Miss Wright after he learned that she was a graduate of Tuskegee and after he had received a letter from Booker T. Washington highly recommending her. Mayfield helped Miss Wright secure the initial twenty-acre tract of land for the school in Denmark, and in time he paved the way for her to purchase more land to accommodate the increasing enrollment and to enlarge the farm. As the school grew, Martin Menafee, a Tuskegee graduate, came to Denmark to assist in strengthening the school financially. Through correspondence, he arranged an interview between Miss Wright and Ralph Voorhees, a blind philanthropist, of Clinton, New Jersey, in 1902. As a result of that trip, Ralph Voorhees and his wife gave money for the purchase of two hundred and eighty acres of land on the outskirts of Denmark. With the concurrence of Booker T. Washington, the name of the school was changed from the Denmark Industrial School to Voorhees Industrial School to honor Ralph Voorhees’ generosity. On February 25, 1904, the school was incorporated by the act of the State Legislature. In 1905, only a year before the death of Miss Wright and two years before that of his own, Ralph Voorhees made possible the purchase of another tract of land, about 100 acres. Bought originally for farming, that land is now growing timber worth several thousand dollars per year as a cash crop. The school continued to operate moderately well after Miss Wright’s death in 1906, but support dwindled considerably during World War I. New support was found when Joshua Blanton became principal in 1922 and initiated a working relationship between Voorhees, the Protestant Episcopal Church, and its agency for work among Southern Blacks and the American Church Institute. In 1929, Voorhees became a Junior College. It was called Voorhees Normal and Industrial School until 1947 when its industrial department was discontinued and the school became known as Voorhees School and Junior College. The high school department was accredited in 1932. The Junior College was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and in 1949 it
became the first black college in South Carolina to be recognized by the regional body. The final name change to Voorhees College was made in December 1962. The Association of Colleges and Schools, and in 1949 it became the first black college in South Carolina to be recognized by the regional body. The final name change to Voorhees College was made in December 1962. The high school was discontinued in May 1965; Voorhees became a senior degree-granting institution in 1967, and shortly thereafter received full accreditation as a liberal arts college from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The first class graduated from the senior college in 1968. By 1969, the College had become a member of the Association of Episcopal Colleges and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). In 2012, Voorhees successfully completed a thorough self-study program that led to the reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The College has renewed its historical partnership with the Episcopal Church creating an "Agenda for Excellence." The College recognizes the need to bring an additional dimension to its legacy of excellence setting forth a standard of teaching, scholarly activities, management, and service activities which combines intellect and faith. With an enrollment of nearing 500 students, Voorhees College offers the B.A. and B.S. degrees in three Schools: The School of Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences, The School of Business, and Entrepreneurship, and the School of Science, Technology, Health and Human Services. The Organizational Management Program reaches out to the adult learner across the state, offering a degree completion program for persons with 50 or more hours of college credits. The College has created a ‘Renaissance in Technology’ and is now completely wired for all technological advances. Each dormitory has the capability to connect data outlets, to connect with the Internet and to access e-mail, cable television and other external databases.
Voorhees College Past Principals and Presidents Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, Founder/Principal ............ 1897-1906 Gabriel P. Miller, Principal ................................................ 1907-1911 Cyrus Camfield, Principal .................................................. 1911-1912 Martin A. Menafee, Treasurer/Acting President ...... 1912-1916 Jesse O. Thomas, Principal ................................................. 1916-1918 E.R. Roberts, Principal ....................................................... 1918-1922 J.E. Blanton, Principal ........................................................ 1922-1947 Earl H. McClenney, President .......................................... 1947-1950 Cecil B. Haliburton, President .......................................... 1950-1953 John F. Potts, President ...................................................... 1954-1970 Harry P. Graham, President .............................................. 1971-1977 George B. Thomas, President ....................................... 1978-1983 John F. Potts, Interim President ..................................... 1983-1985 Leonard E. Dawson, President ........................................ 1985-2001 Lee E. Monroe, Jr., President ........................................... 2001-2007 Cleveland L. Sellers, Jr., President .............................. 2008-2016 W. Franklin Evans, President....................................... 2016-2021 Ronnie Hopkins, President…………………………...2021Gaps in the timeline indicate periods when the institution was under interim leadership.
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THE COLLEGE HYMN
ALMA MATER
We build our school on Thee, O Lord, To Thee we bring our common need; The loving heart, the helpful word, The tender thought, the kindly deed.
When we come to thee, dear Voorhees, The school we love so well, We will hail thee as a guiding light, That ever shines afar. Chorus
We work together in Thy sight, We live together in Thy love; Guide Thou our faltering steps aright, And lift our thoughts to heaven above.
In these halls of knowledge true, Each day we come to you, Trying now to shape our future With ideals good and true. Chorus
Hold Thou each hand to keep it just, Touch Thou our lips and make them pure; If Thou art with us, Lord we must Be faithful friends and comrades sure.
When we’ve finished our work with you, We’ll leave these walls so true. And we’ll strive each day to follow Your principles of true blue. Chorus
We change, but Thou art still the same, The same good Master, Teacher, Friend; We change; but Lord, we bear Thy name To journey with it to the end. Amen.
CHORUS Alma Mater, dear old school, We’ll raise aloud a song, For we love our dear old Voorhees, The White and the true Blue.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Coronation of Mr. and Miss Voorhees College
Sept. 24
Mid-Term Examinations
Oct. 4-9
Fall Break
Oct. 14-15
91st Homecoming Week Activities
Nov. 8-14
Thanksgiving Holiday
Nov. 25-28
Final Examinations
Dec. 6-9
Christmas Break
Dec. 17-Jan. 4
For more information on these events, please contact Mr. Willie Jefferson, director of special events, at (803) 780-1049 or at williej@voorhees.edu. SIX
NOTES
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mr. David Miller’84, Chairman Dr. Traci Young-Cooper, Vice Chairman Reverend Calhoun Walpole, Secretary Reverend Dr. James Williams, Treasurer Mr. Arturo Chavez Reverend Dr. Sam Davis’79 Dr. Robert Dodd Mr. Jerome Geathers’74 Dr. LaTonya Gillespie-Johnson’09 Dr. Ronnie Hopkins, President Ms. Karen Mack’84 Mr. Dan Martin’77 Ms. Mary Hunter Maxwell Ms. Linda McCullough’76, President, Alumni Association Dr. Vincent McNeil Dr. Michelle Meekins ‘74
Mr. Dane Murray Dr. Fulton L. Porter, III Ms. Sumiyyah Rasheed Mr. Daraka Satcher, Esq. Dr. Robert L. Satcher, Jr. Ms. Leah Taylor,’64 The Right Reverend W. Andrew Waldo Canon Alan Bentrup Ms. Mary Hepburn, Trustee Emeritus Dr. Prezell R. Robinson,’42 Trustee Emeritus Dr. Tywana Chenault-Hemby’00, Faculty Representative Mr. Joshua Gayle, Student Representative Ms. Wendy Hyland, Board of Trustees Liaison
OFFICERS OF THE COLLEGE Dr. Ronnie Hopkins……………………………………………………………...……………….... President Dr. Damara Hightower Mitchell……………….…................. Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Corey Amaker…………...…………………………………….….Vice President for Strategic Planning Dr. Prince Brown…………...………………………..……....Vice President for Institutional Advancement Ms. Charlene Johnson……………………………………...Vice President for Student Affairs and Athletics Ms. V. Diane O’Berry………………………………………...Vice President for Business and Fiscal Affairs Ms. Phyllis Thompson…………………………………………Vice President for Enrollment Management
CONVOCATION COMMITTEE Mr. Willie Jefferson, Chairperson
Dr. Prince Brown Mr. Joshua Gayle Ms. Cynthia Hoke Dr. Ronnie Hopkins Ms. Lynda Jefferson Ms. Stephanie Kluttz
Reverend Dr. Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. Ms. V. Diane O’Berry Mr. Curtiss Sumner Mr. Adrian West Mr. Marion Wright