2019-2020 Honor Roll of Donors Voorhees College
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Dr. W. Franklin Evans President
Greetings from the President Voorhees College Year In Review 2019-2020 Honor Roll of Donors Student/Faculty/Alumni News
Dr. Prince H. Brown Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Development The Honor Roll of Donors is published by the Division of Institutional Advancement and Development (I.A.D.). I.A.D. Staff Dr. Prince H. Brown Vice President Megan Freeman Director, Communications Xan Jennings Director, Major and Planned Gifts Clarence Jones General Manager, WVCD Radio Stephanie Rivers-Kluttz Director, Alumni Affairs Sarah Simpson Development Associate Dwayne Smiling Director, Government and Community Relations Curtiss Sumner Graphic Designer/Webmaster Tammy Williams Development Administrative Assistant
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_________________________________ Megan Freeman -Content writer/ Editor-in-chief Xan Jennings -Editor Tammy Williams -Second Editor Curtiss Sumner -Layout and design
_________________________________ To make a gift to Voorhees College, contact the Division of Institutional Advancement and Development at (803) 780-1199 or pbrown@voorhees.edu. You can also give online at www.voorhees.edu/give.
Greetings Tiger Family and Friends! As we continue to move ahead during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, I am reminded of how resilient Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are in their communities and the impact they make on society. This year, Voorhees College has reached new horizons because of the cumulative impact of all our supportive Board of Trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, parents, friends, foundations, corporations, and current students. This Honor Roll of Donors report is one of the ways we can acknowledge the generosity and commitment of those persons who support the mission and aims of Voorhees College. In the report, we share stories about how you make a difference in the lives of our students as they Begin. Believe. Become. One of our featured students, Christina Donovan, a mass communications major, Class of 2020, is currently working on Capitol Hill after completing a fellowship within the Office of Congressman G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina. You can also note that one of our distinguished alumni, Leonard Springs, was recently selected for inducted into the 2020 National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame. During the 2019-2020 academic year, we reshaped and redesigned the campus through new projects, partnerships, and research. In recognizing our valuable donors, I would like to briefly acknowledge members of the Elizabeth Evelyn Wright Fellows, who, through their abundant giving and drive, sustain the legacy of our esteemed founder. This level of funding is so crucial that I am extending a special thank you. Again, I want to express my gratitude to all Voorhees donors and reiterate that no gift is ever too small. We recognize that “life happens� and circumstances change, but your efforts go a long way in developing this College for the future. Remember, we are in this together, and we are VoorheesCollegeStrong! Sincerely, W. Franklin Evans, Ph.D. President & CEO
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Voorhees founder gets inducted into the SC Hall of Fame Voorhees College founder Elizabeth Evelyn Wright was inducted posthumously into the South Carolina Hall of Fame Class of 2020. Dr. Leo Twiggs, first African-American to receive a doctorate in art education from the University of Georgia and Darius Rucker, multi-platinum, Grammy-award-winning lead country singer of the band “Hootie and the Blowfish” were also enshrined. Wright was selected for induction into the SC Hall of Fame for her consistent determination and efforts in establishing Voorhees College. She was persistent as she faced many challenges, including multiple arson attacks on the buildings she used to teach students. But a determined Wright did not allow anything to kill her vision. In 1897, her vision turned into a reality after founding the Denmark Industrial School. Then after meeting with Ralph Voorhees and purchasing land, she relocated and renamed the institution Voorhees College. In celebrating this honor, President W. Franklin Evans said Wright was “steadfast and determined that circumstances and situations would not deter her from accomplishing her mission.” He added, “Here we are 123 years later following the vision of Ms. Wright in making a difference through education in the local community, the state, the nation and around the world.”
Voorhees unveils new Track and Field Complex Voorhees College has been making quite a few strides this year. Voorhees College hit the ground running with the unveiling of the new surface at the track and field complex. Voorhees hosts African Royalty Theme Coronation This year’s coronation celebrated Temah Yarsiah as the 52nd Miss Voorhees College and Alex Brooks as the 6th Mr. Voorhees College. A salute emphasized the African Royalty theme to the African King and Queen by the Gye Nyame African Cultural Performance Company. Voorhees student presents E.coli research Dawn Freeman, a junior biology major at Voorhees College, presented research on “Comparative Genomics & Evaluating Analysis of CRISPR Loci in E. coli,” at the Southeastern Medical Scientist Symposium in Birmingham, AL.
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Voorhees student presents at Penn-York Conference Business administration major Ahmad Harris presented on the financial contributions of international students in higher education in the United States during the 20th Annual Penn-York Undergraduate Research Association’s Student Research Conference.
Voorhees launches Live Streaming The institution recently launched live streaming to maximize direct communication with it’s constituents. Live streaming at Voorhees supports the mission to increase enrollment, retention, and development. To view athletic streaming, please visit www.youtube.com and search VC Tiger Sports, and for non-athletic streaming search Voorhees 1897. To be alerted for live events, please turn on notifications, and do not forget to like and subscribe.
Voorhees partners with the U.S. SBA The institution announced its partnership with the United States Small Business Administration as its first official partner with the Center for Entrepreneurial and Economic Development.
Voorhees transitions to Online
Voorhees named a Top Ten HBCU President President W. Franklin Evans, Voorhees College’s ninth president and CEO was named one of the Ten Most Dominant Historically Black Colleges and Universities Leaders of 2020 by the HBCU Campaign Fund.
Due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, Voorhees transitioned to online classes for the spring and summer semesters. After seeing a spike in cases, President W. Franklin Evans decided to continue to provide online, remote instructions for the 2020 fall term and will operate without students residing on campus. Additionally, the fall athletic season has been canceled. All student support services and engagement will be provided virtually to help students throughout the semester. Campus business operations will remain open, and student scholarships remain intact. The institution is committed to making sure that students are equipped with the appropriate technology and resources for the fall.
Voorhees receives UNCF funding to establish a LAIC Voorhees received $300,000 from the United Negro College Fund to create a Liberal Arts Innovation Center for Healthcare Access and Equity.
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2019 -2020 Honor Roll of Donors Fiscal year July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020 Thank you for your support of Voorhees College and the vision of Elizabeth Evelyn Wright.
The Elizabeth Evelyn Wright Fellows $100,000 - $999,999 Aladdin Food Management Carolina Cluster Domestic & Foreign Missionary Society /The Episcopal Church Estate of Nathaniel M. Robinson The Martin Menafee Fellows $50,000-$99,999 UNCF, Inc. The President’s Circle $10,000-$24,999 Coalition of Episcopal Congregations, Inc. Jerome Geathers Richard A. Harpootlian Voorhees College National Alumni Association The Trailblazers Association $5,000-$9,999 Zelma Coleman Janie A. Cooper-Smith Bernice L. Deloach Matthew A. Golson Michele Hagans Wilhelminia Jefferson Anthony F. Jordan Dan H. Martin Mary M. Patrick Province of Sewanee Rita J. Robinson Leroy Staggers The 1897 League $2,500-$4,999 BlueCross BlueShield of SC Mary C. Burke Capernaum Missionary Baptist Church Traci Y. Cooper Robert Dodd Hezikiah Dority The Episcopal Church of SC Donald L. Fowler Frazier Family Foundation James L. Gardner Linda F. McCullough
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Michelle S. Meekins Fulton L. Porter Robert Satcher, Jr. South State Bank Voorhees College Charleston Alumni Chapter Voorhees College Denmark Alumni Chapter Voorhees College Midlands Alumni Chapter Voorhees College Sumter Alumni Chapter James H. Williams The Tiger Connection $1,000-$2,499 Theodore Anderson, Jr. Delta Chi Boule Ruby W. Brown Ruthy G. Brown Willie Brown Ed Burchianti Chapman Foundation Tywana L. Chenault Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion Ernest Cooper D. L. Scurry Foundation Sam Davis Delta Zeta Lambda Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Larry Eadie Episcopal Church Women of Long Island Episcopal Diocese of Georgia Eta Nu Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. W. Franklin Evans Russell N. Feaster Joan C. Franks Marvin Franks Rosia S. Gardner Anson K. Garlington Richard C. Garrett Carnella V. Geathers Ann T. Goodman Harry Green Patricia W. Green Bettye B. Hellams Eugene Hellams Ervin E. Henderson
Ronnie Hopkins Mary H. Hyacinth Mose James, III Oscar Lang Richard Logan Lonzell Woodard M. W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons Heyward L. McKie Vincent M. McNeil David G. Miller Bettylene Mulligan James Nimmons Sybil O’Neal Elizabeth P. Orr Mary Parrish Alex Pope Terriyln Rivers-Cannon Floreen P. Rogers Ulysees Rogers Ronnie A. Sabb Daraka Satcher Jerry M. Screen Alfredia Session Irene R. Singletary Raymond O. Singleton James R. Smith St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Janet D. Stephens Douglas Stokes James Swindell Octavia G. Swindell Carolyn Thomas Lassie L. Tobin Voorhees College Berkeley County Alumni Chapter Voorhees College Central Savannah River Area Alumni Theodosia Wright The Century Club $100-$999 Dorothy M. Abel Willie D. Abney All Saints Episcopal Church - Hilton Head Alumni Joshua Anderson Sibyl Anderson Anderson Law Office P.A. Allen Anderson, Sr. Anne R. Andrews Anonymous Atlantic Broadband Alisa R. Bailey Justin Bamberg Bamberg County Branch NAACP Hayward E. Barnwell
Leland C. Barrows Adra Barrows Ruth Baskerville Luther Battiste Betty Belin Gwendolyn G. Bellamy Quincey Bellamy Cheryl Benefield Truman L. Bessellieu Bible Way Church of Atlas Road Sandra C. Boatman Shelly Boswell James L. Brabham Kenneth Brackins Joseph Brandenburg Azzalee R. Brown Charles H. Brown Oni H. Brown James Brown Janice Brown Brown & Moore Associates, LLC Alice Bryant Hilda Bull Jonathan Burke Desiree C. Bygrave Julia Byrd-Barr Yavuz Cakir Clarence Caldwell Carroll Mortuary Leila R. Carson William T. Chandler Church of the Epiphany City of Denmark Allison W. Clark Jo Ann Coaxum Carl M. Cochran Brenda L. Cofer Joan W. Cohen Constance Colter-Brabham Raymond J. Cooper Rosella Cooper Karen Countz James Cromartie Phala T. Daniel-Diggs Dash Funeral Home Betty R. Davis Rolondo S. Davis James Davis Stevie Davis Albert C. Deas Tyrone Deloach Christine Dennis Benjamin J. Dent Vivian R. Dicks Gloria J. Donald Dot’s Flower Shop DTH Protective Services Mary R. Dudley
John Dunmyer, III Maurice M. Eadie Episcopal Church on Edisto Episcopal Church Women Diocese of Rhode Island Episcopal Worship in Cheraw Linda J. Epps June Evans Family Health Centers, Inc. Peggy S. Faust Geneva L. Fleming Leslie W. Floyd Leroy Fogle Jerilene A. Ford Ernest Ford Franklin United Methodist Church Kittie L. Freeman Megan J. L. Freeman Rebecca J. Gadsden Thelma L. Gadsden Joanne Gaines Gethsemane Baptist Church LaTonya F. Gillespie Sidney Glee Herman D. Gloster Jonathan A. Gloster Edna Glover Zhabiz Golkar Carolyn M. Grant Margo L. Grant Polly B. Green Dorothy Green Catherine O. Griffin J.H. Guess Juliana M. Hall Alexander Hardy Linda Harned Dexter Hendrix Gail-Selina Hewitt-Clarke Cynthia Hill Lisa Hill Deborah Hodges Allen Holman Johnny J. Holmes Sherry Hopkins Diane Hulett Michael Humbert Brad Hutto Rosetta J. Jackson Jamison’s Pharmacy Joyce G. Jefferson Willie Jeffries Jarvis A. Jenkins Veronica W. Jenkins Robert R. Jennings Carolyn J. Johnson Charlene M. Johnson Brenda Johnson
Clarence E. Jones Monterrio R. Jones Hardi Jones John Jones L. Zimmerman Keitt Catherine J. Koger LaClaire Laffitte Mary E. Lamback Alfonso Lamback Anna S. Lane Terry B. Law Gloria A. Lee Edmund Lee Robert Leverett Ralph H. Lide Janice M. Long Eric Lumpkin Amanda MacDonald Macedonia Baptist Church Karen Mack Patricia G. Major Carla Malottke Eva O. Manigault Kaye F. Manigault Nannie Manigault Natalie Mark Felicia M. Mason-Garner John W. Matthews Isalean McClary Audrey H. McDonald Noel J. McFadden * Andrea R. McKellar Elizabeth B. McKinley Ernest McNealey Alfred McWilliams Bessie M. Meeks Owen A. Miller Mattie Mitchell Sherry Y. Moody Sarah Moody James W. Moton Mary E. Moule Mt. Zion Baptist Church Dane H. Murray James Myers Lillian Nails Gwynth R. Nelson Mary A. Nesbit Jack F. Nietert Lillie Nimmons-Pough Nu Tau Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. V. Diane F. O’Berry Olive Grove Baptist Church Orangeburg Branch NAACP Willie B. Owens Everett L. Pace Constance M. Paino
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Magdaline F. Palmer Paul Palmer Willie Parlor S. T. Peden Gloria M. Perry Herbert L. Pittman Eleanor Posey Franklin D. Pryor Morris Ravenell Betty Ray Gregory Ray Isadore Ray Jimmy L. Reaves Richard E. Reid Rho Eta Lambda Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Thomas Ann Rice Percy M. Richburg Caesar Richburg Stephanie Rivers-Kluttz Lugenia Rochelle John Rogers Lawrence L. Rouse Alfreda Rowe Nancy T. Rudolph J. W. Rutter Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church Saint Peter Church of God in Christ Alvin Sanders John L. Scott Ronald Scott SEKOTS Foundation Kimpson for Senate Joseph L. Serling Sallie Shaw Sarah R. Simpson Chandra B. Singh Betty L. Singleton Danny Singleton Jackie Singleton Pamela S. Small Kimberly L. Smalls Marvetta M. Smalls Dwayne L. Smiling Albert L. Smith Carletta J. Smith Teresa C. Smith Queen Smith Wallace Smith Reginald Snyder SouthernCarolina Alliance Leonard F. Springs Deborah E. Squirewell St. Augustines Episcopal Church St Philip’s Episcopal Church -SC St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
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St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church -Florence, SC St. Philip’s Chapel - Voorhees College St. Thomas Episcopal Church Valerie Stanford Shemrico Stanley State Farm Companies Cathy S. Steadman Mary A. Stephens Ruby A. Stewart Rufus Stover Curtiss Sumner Leah E. Taylor Mary T. Taylor Taylor Package Shop Andrea M. Terry Phyllis Thompson Nollita Tubbs Abraham J. Turner Curtis Tyler Union of Black Episcopalians John Culmer Chapter Voorhees College Metro Atlanta Alumni Chapter Voorhees College Piedmont Alumni Association Pamela Wade Bennie Walls Kit Wang Catherine Washington Mary Washington James L. Weldon Mary Wheat Katherine R. Whitaker Gracie H. White Lorraine Wilkins Bonnie M. Williams Genice E. Williams Kendall M. Williams Barbara Williams Irene Williams Kari L. Williamson Paul B. Wilson Marion Wright Lihua Yang James T. Yarsiah Xiqiang Zheng The Donors’ Club Less than $100 Zycoria Abson Marcus Amos Jarod Anderson B & B Meats & Fish Jean L. Belton Sarah Bostic
Belita B. Broadus Beryle R. Browman Michael E. Brown Dennis Brown Toshiba Bryant Leroy J. Buncomb, Jr. Michael Butler Idella Carson Jenessa Casey Deloris B. Chatman Robert Chatman Joe Chester Em Chitty Lolita O. Clarkson Cliff’s Seafood and Grille Evert Comer Karen Cooper Crosby’s Car Care Leslie M. Cue Matilda Dargan Joshua Davis Jane Diehl Diocese of Southern Ohio Lena M. Dobson Christina M. Donovan Marilyn Drayton Alan Duesterhaus George Dunbar Izandria Durant Celestine Dyches Diane B. Evans John Fields Gwendolyn J. Folk Deloris Frazier Friends of Jim Clyburn Nancy Gault Stan Glover Harry Govan Denise Gray-Felder Latonya P. Green Alvin Green Lena M. Greene Eloise Greene Calvin Hall Eartha M. Hammond Joseph Hampton Joey Hardin D’Anne Haydel Kimoni Hickman Amy Hill Eddie L. Hilliard Veronica Hinkson Brenda W. Holland Quillie L. Hunt Wendy T. Hyland Carole Isom-Barnes Donald R. Jackson
Carmen Jackson Stephen Jackson Jade J. Jenkins * Xan Jennings Vermelle J. Johnson Acquinton Johnson Wanda J. Jones Nathanial H. Kemp Jeananne Kim Lauren Kinard Stafforney K. Kirkland Monika M. Lamb Ginnie Langford Heyward Livingston John G. Long Elizabeth C. Luke Tarshua T. Mack Dennis Malloy Bennie L. Manuel Mary Maxwell Frankie McCullough Marquita McCullough Terrianna McCullough Robert G. McCutchen Shane Gorham McMorris Jennifer Michael Minter & Associates, LLC Jennifer Mintz Christine L. Moore Alfred Moore Gladys Moore Moore & Moore Computing Elizabeth Murray Doris Neal Barbara A. Nimmons Jalonda A. Odom Loretta Ohonba Mekka Okereke Catrena Parker Booker T. Patrick Ogretta Peeples Teresa Phares Alexandra Proctor Professional Barber Shops, Inc. Lisa Rast Johnny Ravenell Jessie Reed Rhys Solutions, LLC John J. Richardson John Rickenbacker Roger Riley Ella M. Risi Mary Robert Frances Rouse Goldsteins on Russell Ray W. Sabalis Doris P. Sanders
Natalie Saxton Georjean E. Simmons Simmons Funeral Home Sarah L. Singleton Yvonne Singleton Delois W. Smith Tabarious L. Smith Johnny Smith Derrick A. Smoot Thelma F. Sojourner Carol Spencer Floyd Hughes, Sr. Joseph Staton LaFayette Stewart Latrice Stewart-Carter Fahnie L. Stewart-Shaw Sweet’s Discount Tires Caroline Swetenburg Michael Szymanowski Mary Tanenblatt Roselyn E. Terry Tammi M. Thomas Lorenza Thomas Mark Thomas Joyce Thompson Lisa C. Ukuku Eloise Walker Sarah White Bobbie J. Williams Gary L. Williams Genice N. Williams James K. Williams Tammy D. Williams Gracie Williams Queen E. Wilson David Wilson Thomasina Wilson Harry Wimberly Velteeka S. Wright Doris Wright Johnnie Wright Mamie Wright Vermell Y. Young Harold Young Jianye Zhang Zion Pilgrim Baptist Church
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Voorhees student offered a fellowship with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Voorhees College senior mass communications major Christina Donovan was offered a fellowship within the Office of Congressman G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina after interning in his office for 16 weeks on Capitol Hill. Donovan was accepted into the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Fall 2019 Communication Internship Program. The 16-week long Communication Internship Program sponsored by State Farm creates a corps of trained young leaders with the skills, outlook, and contacts necessary to generate and sustain positive change in Washington, D.C., and their local communities. Interns were placed in Congressional Black Caucus member offices and federal agencies. Donovan worked in the Communications Internship program, where she participated in daily constituent engagement and response, assisted the director of communications with writing assignments, official social media management, video recording production, and various other projects. She said she has indeed become a valued member of the team. “I was excited and proud to represent Voorhees in Washington, D.C., with this prestigious opportunity. This internship has deeply enriched my experience and understanding of the legislative process. I look forward to using what I have learned in the future as I pursue a political career in public service,” said Donovan.
Christina Donovan
Voorhees women’s basketball team qualified for NAIA National Tournament The Voorhees College Women’s Basketball team was the No. 8 seed in the Liston Bracket for the 2020 National Association Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division II Women’s Basketball National Championship against the Marion University Lady Knights, who were the No. 1 seed. The team finished the regular season 20-14. The team also ranked in the top 8 teams in the field that qualified for the 2019 Association of Independent Institutions’ (AII) Women’s Basketball Championship. The Lady Tigers took home the AII championship further qualifying them for nationals. Head Women’s Basketball Coach Edward Glover said it had been a while since the Lady Tigers made it to the NAIA national tournament field. “It’s was a proud moment right now for the Voorhees women’s basketball program as we have reclaimed our right to compete at the NAIA national level,” Glover said. Senior guard Ca’washa Ceasar, who was No. 5 in the country for the most steals, with a total of 98 season steals, said “To end her final basketball season at Voorhees by qualify-
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ing for the national tournament was a dream come true.” “This was a great experience for my team and me. We worked hard to prepare for one of the biggest moments in our college athletic career,” Ceasar said. “I want to thank my team and Coach Glover for everything.” The Lady Tigers ended nationals after completing the first round losing to the Lady Knights 77-55, right before the tournament was cancelled because of the pandemic.
Voorhees faculty receives NSF Research Award Dr. Xiqiang Zheng, Voorhees College’s associate professor of mathematics and computer science, recently received a National Science foundation award. The award, $200,000 over a three-year period beginning Fall 2020, funds a project entitled, “Computer algorithms and simulations for CT (computerized tomography) image reconstruction and segmentation utilizing optimal sampling lattices and efficient domains.” According to Zheng, CT imaging is a valuable tool to create the internal image of a physical body. He adds that image reconstruction is designed to compute the internal model from the scanned data, and image segmentation may help to locate the internal objects or their boundaries in the image. He notes that the usual CT computations are done on a Cartesian lattice whose pixels are squares or cubes. Zheng will serve as the principal investigator of the project and, per the terms of the proposal, will collaborate with a professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of South Carolina to implement the research topics. Furthermore, in each project year, two
Dr. Xiqiang Zheng undergraduate students at Voorhees will be selected to participate in the project, and receive stipends for their participation. The students will acquire knowledge on topics for CT imaging processing and gain research experience.
Voorhees alumnus selected as a 2020 NBCA Hall of Fame Inductee Voorhees College alumnus Leonard Springs was recently and Nancy Wilson. selected for induction in the 2020 National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame in recognition of his lifetime achieve- President W. Franklin Evans said Springs is without a doubt ment in the area of banking and finance. one of “the best of the best” among Voorhees’s notable and distinguished graduates. “Dr. Springs, we salute you and Springs, a former corporate executive with Wachovia Bank look forward to the recognition ceremony in Atlanta. This (now Wells Fargo), said he is honored and humbled that honor brings Voorhees College great representation as we Voorhees chose him for this nomination. “I am honored continue to produce exceptional alumni,” Evans said. because of the many deserving alumni, I am proud to be the first Voorhees inductee. I am looking forward to celebrating the moment with the entire Voorhees College family,” Springs said. The 35th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, September 25th in Atlanta; however, officials from the NBCA Hall of Fame Foundation said that the event may be postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Springs will join a distinguished list of more than 300 Black college graduates who have been enshrined in the Hall of Fame since 1986, including such notables as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, Walter Payton, Leontyne Price, Chief Justice Thurgood Marshall, Oprah Winfrey, Ambassador Andrew Young, Will Packard
Leonard Springs
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