The ROAR Alumni News Letter - November 2020

Post Office Box 678 Denmark, SC 29042 The Official Affairs of the Alumni Newsletter

“The ROAR” VOLUME THREE November 2020

FEATURES:

2020 Virtual Homecoming Schedule The 2020 Hall of Fame Inductees Homecoming Photos and Memories Day of Giving American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine Partnership Remembering the Tigers Alumni Spotlight and Achievements

Voorhees College 2020 Live Streaming on Friday,

Reverend Dr. Willie Abney Reverend Dr. Willie D. Abney is the fifth child and third son of eleven children born to the late Mr. James H. Abney, Sr. and the late Mrs. Grace H. Abney of Johnston, South Carolina. Educated in the public schools of Edgefield County, Abney graduated from Strom Thurmond High School Class of 1974, where he received the Top Vocational Graduate Award from the late Senator Strom Thurmond.

Abney graduated from Voorhees College in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.

Later in life, he attended the Southern Bible Institute and Seminary of Thomson, Georgia, where he earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in Christian education. Abney was licensed to preach and ordained in 2002 and 2006 respectively, at the Bland Baptist Church in Johnston. In 2010, he became Pastor of the Morrison Grove Baptist Church, Mil-len, GA. In March 2013, he became pastor at his home church, Bland Baptist.

Mrs. Zelma Coleman Zelma Coleman is a native of Chester, South Carolina. Living with her grandparents, she matriculated through the Chester County School System, graduating in May 1965 from Finley High School. Due to her uncle’s persistent encouragement, she was inspired to attend college. Her selection of Voorhees College was divine providence. Attending Voorhees was then and is now a significant milestone in her life, the benefits of which she continually enjoys.

Coleman graduated from Voorhees College in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. After graduation, she relocated to Washington, D.C., where she was employed by the Law Firm of Hopkins, Jones and Caldwell. During her employment at the firm, she served as bookkeeper, office manager, and paralegal.

S.S.A. Anson K. Garlington Supervisory Special Agent Anson K. Garlington was born in Brooklyn, New York but moved to Greenwood, South Carolina, at a young age.

After graduating from Greenwood High School, Garlington attended Voorhees College. (Continue on the next page)

Hall of Fame Inductees

y November 13, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.

Garlington graduated from Voorhees College in 1989 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. While at Voorhees, he was a member of the Pre-Alumni Council, Voorhees Concert Choir, Phi Beta Lambda Business Fraternity, the Eta Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the Voorhees College Track & Field team.

Dr. Lawrence L. Rouse Serving as this year's 2020 Voorhees College Homecoming Grand Marshal, Dr. Lawrence Rouse is the president of Pitt Community College in Winterville, North Carolina.

Rouse is a native of Sumter, South Carolina where he was educated in the public schools and graduated from Su mter High School.

He is the son of the late Roy and Maple Rouse.

Rouse graduated from Voorhees College in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He earned a master’s degree in education from the University of South Carolina. After receiving his master’s degree, Rouse was selected as one of four South Carolinians to receive a Kellogg ACCLAIM Fellowship to attend North Carolina State University, where he earned his doctorate degree in adult and community college education. As a graduate student, he also received a National Leadership and Institutional Effectiveness Fellowship. Rouse and his wife, Janie, have two children: Lee and Whitney.

Dr. Sandra Thompson Smith Dr. Sandra Thompson-Smith is the secretary of the Board of Directors of the African American Success Foundation and serves on the Grant Selection Committee to identify AASF’s research priorities and grant recipients.

Thompson-Smith graduated from Voorhees College in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in History. She earned a master’s degree from Fisk University and a certificate in French from the University of Poitier in LaRochelle, France. Also, she earned a doctorate in Sociology from the University of Florida and a certificate from Harvard University Graduate School of Education’s Institute for Educational Management.

If you know of an alum from Voorhees College not less than 10 years prior of consideration; must have demonstrated significant measurable achievement in their chosen field for a period of time sufficient to demonstrate perseverance and maturation and/or must have effected a profound positive influence since his or her graduation; and this includes being recognized by his or her peers as having reached and remained at the pinnacle of his or her field; must have contributed to the institution for the last three consecutive years prior to being nominated. Visit https://www.voorhees.edu/alumni/hall-of-fame-nomination-criteria for the criteria and details to nominate a candidate.

Voorhees College Strong

Then , Now , Always

Tigers Gladly Invest in Voorhees Education (G.I.V.E) Campaign Denmark, S.C.- After recently launching the Tigers Gladly Invest in Voorhees Education (G.I.V.E) Campaign, Voorhees College announces actress and singer Jo Marie Payton the official campaign chairperson.

As chairperson, Payton will be promoting Tiger G.I.V.E. and asking for world-wide support to help reach the institution’s goal of $1M. Also, she will be making several appearances throughout the live event, a 12-hour day of giving on Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. E.S.T. Payton said it is an honor to serve as chairperson to support Voorhees College. “We are in unprecedented times, and our young men and women need support to continue their educational journeys. I hope that we can come together and contribute toward such a worthy cause that can make a difference in the lives of many deserving students.”

She is an internationally acclaimed actress and an accomplished singer. Payton has performed memorable performances on stage, screen, and television. Her professional career spans over 40 years. She is most noted for her portrayal of “Harriette Winslow” on the “Family Matters” T.V. show, which is still the longest-running all African-American cast show on a major television network in history.

Payton is also well known for her portrayal of the ever-popular character “Suga Mama” of Disney’s award -winning show “Proud Family.” She has been nominated eight consecutive times for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a children’s show by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Image Awards. She is also the recipient of the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications Vision Award.

Her community advocacy and philanthropy have been stellar on both coasts. She has provided numerous scholarships for deserving students to continue their education, and she holds an honorary doctorate in humanities from Vincennes University. Payton holds the keys to many cities throughout the United States and is still continually active in the community and her career.

In addition to Payton, you will see and hear from other television, news, state, and local personalities and officials. Dawwn Lewis, Mike Phillips, Dionne Warwick, Emmanuel Lewis, Bakari Sellers and Lou Gossett, Jr. are just a few of the artists, entertainers and activists joining us.

We will hear from our alumni chapters representatives and presidents, our National Alumni Chapter president Linda McCullough, Greeks chapter representatives, and some of our Voorhees College faculty and staff members that have testimony on their spirit to give to Voorhees College through education and mentorship. Voorhees has already begun accepting donations for the campaign via mail and online at our website www.voorhees.edu/dayofgiving. To view this live event, please subscribe, like, and follow our YouTube channel @VoorheesCollege1897 and our Facebook page @Voorhees College.

For more information, contact the Office of Communications, at 803-780-1191 or at communications@voorhees.edu.

Voorhees College Partners with American University of Antigua College of Medicine Voorhees College recently signed a Memorandum of U n d e r s t an d in g wit h American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine to provide an opportunity to enter and diversify the physician workforce.

Both Voorhees and AUA share the common goal to provide students a learner-centric education, granting opportunities to undergraduate minorities and fostering a diverse academic community and physician workforce.

Dr. Zhabiz Golkar, chairperson of the Department of Science, Technology, Health and Human Services, said AUA’s College of Medicine is one of the Caribbean's top medical schools. “AUA College of Medicine boasts a U.S.-modeled curriculum, cutting -edge facilities, and an expansive network of clinical affiliates.”

She added AUA is 1 of 3 Caribbean medical schools to be approved by the New York and Florida State Education Departments, recognized by the Medical Boards of California and India, and accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions.

“This allows clinical students to obtain clerkships and graduates to earn licensure throughout the U.S., Canada, and India. AUA is also one of the few Caribbean medical schools that offer U.S. Federal Direct Loan Programs as well as Canadian federal and provincial loans,” Golkar said.

Dr. Ronnie Hopkins, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said this is remarkable collaboration. “The unique partnership ensures Voorhees students and graduates are guaranteed admission into AUA’s Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) educational program with full access to scholarship opportunities.”

Dr. W. Franklin Evans, Voorhees College ninth president and CEO, said the institution continues to develop partnerships that enhance students’ marketability and employability in high-demand careers, particularly in underserved disciplines. “As such, Voorhees is delighted to partner with the American University of Antigua College of Medicine. We look forward to a long, productive relationship as our graduates can receive excellent training.”

Remembering the Fallen Tigers 2 Timothy 4:7-8

We are Voorhees College Strong, and as an HBCU community, we have won some battles and unfortunately, lost some. The battles make us stronger, and force us to have a greater and stronger belief in the Almighty One in times of celebrations, pandemics, and deaths.

We want to salute our Fallen Tigers. Their resilience and Tiger Tenacity will never be forgotten, and will be forever remembered.

Reverend Dr. Robert Warren Turner Organizational Management Sunrise January 20, 1950 Sunset July 20, 2020

Julian M Johnson, Class of 1972 Sunrise November 10, 1949 Sunset September 10, 2020

Lenora Luchey Robinson, Class of 1983 Sociology Sunrise August 18, 1959 Sunset October 8, 2020

If you know of an alum who has earned his/her wings, please send that information to the department of communications.

Submit your obituaries to Mrs. Stephanie RiversKluttz at skluttz@voorhees.edu. We will pay homage to our graduates from the Industrial School, Junior College, Voorhees College High School, and the four year Bachelor degree programs.

Tiger Tenacity, Tiger Tough Demetrius Cleveland Named Coach of the Year

by Coca-Cola Voorhees College alumnus Demetrius Cleveland was named Coach of the Year by Coca-Cola and the Atlanta Public School System for his efforts with the Bunche Middle student-athletes.

Cleveland said the award is such an honor. “None of this would be possible without my student athletes coming in daily to work hard and improve their craft. For Coca-Cola to present me with this award represents not just me as a coach but the dedication of everybody who is a part of this program.” This is his sixth year coaching at Bunche, and he has had the opportunity to coach and mold student-athletes in basketball, softball, and track.

“Seeing my athletes continue to beat the odds and become collegiate and professional athletes will be the biggest accomplishment as a coach.”

At Bunche, Cleveland also serves as a master teacher and advancement via individual determination teacher, who helps students prepare for college and career.

He graduated from Voorhees in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in sports management. Also, Cleveland earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Mercer University in 2019. Currently, he is pursuing an educational specialist degree in curriculum and instruction from Kennesaw State University.

While at Voorhees, Cleveland became a member of the Voorhees College men’s basketball team, where he later served as an assistant coach, the WVCD 790 AM (present-day WVCD 790AM/96.5FM and Live-Streaming) radio club, White Rose Social Club, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Eta Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is a native of Flint, Mich., and has one son, Demetrius Cleveland, Jr. If you have a story or an accomplishment that you would like to share with the Voorhees College Alumni, please contact Stephanie Rivers-Kluttz, Director of Alumni Affairs at (803)780-1062 or skluttz@voorhees.edu