The ROAR Alumni Newsletter - October 2020

Tiger Tenacity, Tiger Tough Anthony Hyland Named a 30 under 30 by U.S. Reporter Voorhees College alumnus Anthony Hyland was recently named a 30 under 30 by U.S. Reporter.

The U.S. Reporter selected Hyland as one of 30 individuals, including artists, entrepreneurs, motivational speakers, and actresses, for their outstanding efforts in revolutionizing various industries. Hyland is No.14 on the list for his entrepreneurship and contributions in the U.S. Navy. Others included in the group of 30 include the iconic Kylie Jenner of the Kardashian fame and rapper Travis Scott.

The 2013-2014 Mr. Voorhees is the CEO and founder of Hyland Enterprises, a public speaking and social media coaching business. He is also the author of “The Purpose of Power,” an empowerment book about inspiring people to discover the purpose of power.

Hyland said he would have chased his dreams a lot sooner had he heeded the advice of his former Voorhees professor and advisor Jayme Bradford-Kinard. “I want to encourage others to hold fast to your convictions, care little about what others say, help those that you can, and your success will make the struggle well worth it.” He added, “After gaining a superior following of more than 270,000 followers and recognition on the TikTok app, my greatness now reaches a global audience, and I am forever grateful.”

Hyland holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Voorhees, and earned a certificate of completion in entrepreneurship essentials from Harvard Business School online.

While at Voorhees, Hyland served as Freshman class president, third vice president of the local National Association for the Advancement Colored People chapter, president of the mass communication club, and president of the Eta Iota chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Currently, he is stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii, with his wife Natasha, daughter Kylie, and two sons, Caleb and Cairo.

You can follow Hyland on TikTok @ispeak1906 and Instagram @anthonyihyland.

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

“The ROAR” VOLUME TWO October 2020 FEATURES: Tiger Tenacity, Tiger Tough Remembering the Tigers Voorhees College National Alumni Association National Alumni Chapter VC In The News Achievements National Convention and Save the Dates Alumni Chapters National Alumni Officers HerStory 2020 Tiger Centenarian Club Save the Date VC Alumni Spotlight

Stephanie Rivers-Kluttz, Editor-in-Chief Megan Freeman, Contributor Xan Jennings, Contributing Editor Tammy Williams, Contributing Editor Curtiss Sumner, Layout

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.

Josephine Bell Patton, Class of 1971

Sunrise August 8, 1949 - Sunset August 28, 2020 https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/18127189/Josephine-Bell-Patton

Mrs. Orphia Coleman Hay

Sunrise November 19, 1925 – Sunset August 11, 2020 http://www.bfcavefh.com/obituaries/uploads/718850HayLegTri1.pdf If you know of an alum who has earned his/her wings, please send that information to the Office of Communications. Submit your obituaries to Mrs. Stephanie Rivers-Kluttz at skluttz@voorhees.edu.

We will pay homage to our graduates from the Denmark Industrial School, Voorhees High School, Voorhees Junior College, and Voorhees College.

Atlanta Chapter (Metro) Antinesha Pace, President 404-641-5080 Atlanta, Georgia wyatt.antinesha@yahoo.com

Florence/Darlington Chapter Craig Lightfoot, President 843-409-9629 Florence, South Carolina flodarac@alumni.voorhees.edu

Berkeley County Chapter Sandra Capers, President Moncks Corner, South Carolina 843-875-3671 berkeleyac@alumni.voorhees.edu

Georgetown Chapter Equanda Wearing 843-558-3436 Georgetown, South Carolina georgetownac@alumni.voorhees.edu

California IN REORGANIZATION

JAX/Duval Alumni Association IN REORGANIZATION

Calhoun/Orangeburg Alumni Association IN REORGANIZATION

Midland Chapter (Columbia) Monika Lamb, President 803-814-5490 Columbia, South Carolina midlandac@alumni.voorhees.edu

Columbus, Georgia IN REORGANIZATION CSRA Chapter (Central Savannah River Area) Willie Abney, President 803-480-3390 Augusta, Georgia csraac@alumni.voorhees.edu Charleston Chapter Marvetta Meggett-Smalls, President 843-367-0302 Charleston, South Carolina charlestonac@alumni.voorhees.edu

Newberry Alumni Chapter Leila Caldwell, President 803-537-5384 Newberry, South Carolina newberryac@alumni.voorhees.edu Piedmont Alumni Chapter James Gardner, President 864-419-0596 Maudlin, South Carolina jgard10326@aol.com

Central Carolina Chapter (Charlotte) Cassandra Sanders, President 704-224-6496 Charlotte, North Carolina charlotteac@alumni.voorhees.edu

Philadelphia Alumni Chapter Francenia Nadine Talley, President 215-438-2464 - Home 215-510-3340 - Cell Philadelphia, Pennsylvania momt53@aol.com

Denmark Chapter Leah Durphy Taylor, President 803-793-6104 Denmark, South Carolina denmarkac@alumni.voorhees.edu

Sumter County Chapter Jo Ann Coaxum, President 803-775-6279 - Cell Sumter, South Carolina jcoaxum1@hotmail.com

DMV Chapter (DC, Maryland, Virginia) Eugene Cox, President 706-592-3722 DC, Maryland, Virginia dmvac@alumni.voorhees.edu

Texas COMING SOON

On behalf of the Voorhees College National Alumni Association, I am elated to greet the VC alumni. Currently, the VCNAA is working extremely hard to increase membership, which is $50.00 per person, as well as to obtain more participation with the many activities that are planned throughout the year. Because of Covid-19 the 2020 Summerfest and the First Lady events were postponed, but will return in the future.

Also, the Voorhees College 2021 National Alumni Association Convention will take place in Columbia, SC June 18-20, 2021. Please plan to participate as you are promised to have an awesome time with many activities including the 10 Under 40 Zenna Farley Williams Blue and White Ball, and The Legacy Award to honor graduates of Voorhees High School and the Junior College.

At present, The VCNAA is requesting financial support for the Charles B. Brown Alumni House. If you have not had the opportunity to donate, I plead with you to do so. For those of you who have, I thank you.

As a well oiled-machine, the Executive Board is making daily strides to ensure the success of our projects. Many thanks are given to our Executive Board for your continuous work in creating the best directions for the VCNAA.

I leave you with this scripture Luke12:48: Tri-State (NY, NJ & CT) Mary Hyacinth-Houser, (Interim President) to whom much is given, much is required.

917-803-7087 - Cell 706- 504-2373 - Home Linda Flowers McCullough Brooklyn, New York mhhyacinth@gmail.com

Voorhees ranks as a Top 2021 SC College and University The U.S. News and World Report recently ranked Voorhees College as a Best Regional College in the south in the Top Colleges and Universities for 2021 list.

The annual rankings are based on graduation retention and rates for lowincome students, the amount of student loan debt students hold, opinions from a panel of experts, student to faculty ratio, faculty pay, test scores of incoming first year students, and more.

Voorhees College, the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) founded by an African-American woman, Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, is also recognized as a regional school throughout the Palmetto state ranked high for value.

The institution received these rankings because of its status as a more affordable institution, ranking among those such as the University of South Carolina Upstate, Claflin University, and Limestone College.

Voorhees College President Dr. W. Franklin Evans said the institution takes pride in its rankings by U.S. News and World Report. “We are in a new season, and with everything going on, we have still managed to provide a quality education at an affordable price. We take pride in our mission, and study our demographics and market to make the best decision for our students.”

Voorhees is among the 2019-2020 AII Champions of Character Award School Recipients Voorhees was recognized as an institution on a silver level for its commitment to character development and academic success through the Association of Independent Institution's (AII) 2019-2020 Champions of Character program. Athletic programs are measured for their commitment to showing the character in competition, character development through training, promotion and recognition, and academic success. In August the Voorhees Men’s Baseball Team was one of four HBCU baseball programs chosen for the Team Academic Excellence Award by the American Baseball Coaches Association.

Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Athletics Charlene Johnson said the student-athletes at Voorhees continue to excel in and out of the classroom. “Here at Voorhees, we expect nothing less than well-rounded student-athletes. Our coaches and the entire athletic program staff work diligently to provide resources and dedicate themselves to help our students develop.”

This sentiment is echoed by Head Women’s Basketball Coach Edward Glover, who said that the entire Voorhees athletics department works on influencing sportsmanship, servant leadership, integrity, responsibility, and respect. “As a Champions of Character Five-Star Institution winner within the entire league (NAIA), we have achieved a tremendous accomplishment. The recognition reflects the commitment of our student-athletes, the leadership of the athletic staff, and the entire Voorhees College community.”

Head Track and Field Coach Jeffrey Hughes said that one of the responsibilities of the Voorhees athletics program is to foster opportunities for achieving academic, athletic, and character excellence. “The good character our athletes exhibit enhances their inner desire to succeed, give them a sense of belonging, and the motivation and confidence to achieve personally and professionally. Although sports can initiate various types of character traits, we expect productive behavior because you may not win all the time.”

Voorhees Alumna Receives a 2020 UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholarship Christina Donovan, 2020 mass communication graduate of Voorhees College, was recently selected for the 2020 United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Achievement Capstone Scholarship.

The $3,500 award is designated for graduate school or professional certification expenses. Members of the Voorhees faculty nominated Donovan for the award due to her educational and professional perseverance.

According to UNCF, the goal of the program is “Investing in the next generation of African-American leadership.” This new faculty-nominated scholarship offers students a one-time financial award which they can use to retire educational costs or pay for future educational expenses.

Donovan said she would like to thank UNCF for selecting her as a recipient and her alma mater for nominating her. “This scholarship will assist me with continuing my education without worrying about the financial burdens or having to repay another loan.”

Making History Through “HerStory”

Voorhees College Divisional Chairs and Alumni As we continue to watch matters unfold in the United States on some of this year’s most historical events and elections, this is our Tiger story. Did you know that Voorhees College has two divisional chairpersons who are Voorhees College graduates?

Meet the Division Chairs

Dr. Tywana L. Chenault-Hemby Class of 2000

Chair, Department of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences

Currently, she is a graduate student at The Citadel Graduate College majoring in international politics and military affairs. Donovan also serves as a staff assistant and legislative correspondent within the United States House of Representatives.

During her matriculation at Voorhees, Donovan served as president of the Student Government Association from 2018-2019, the National Council of Negro Women, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Honda Campus AllStar Challenge Team, the Mass Communications Club, and the Theta Epsilon Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Dr. Katherine R. Whittaker Class of 1998 Chair, Department of Business and Entrepreneurship

The 2020 Tiger Centenarian Club Over a Century of Service, Wisdom, and Philanthropy A centenarian is a person who has reached the age of 100. Because life expectancies world-wide are below 100 years, the term is invariably associated with longevity.

Dr. Matthew Golson, 101 Class of 1938

Mrs. Vernice B. Woodland, 100 Class of 1941

Dr. William Daniels, 101 Class of 1939

Mrs. Iva M. Gore Ward, 100 Class of 1941

October 2020 Fall Break 10/15-16 Lyceum Speaker - Bakari Sellers, Attorney and CNN correspondent 10/22 November 2020 Celebration Weekend 11/12-14 Hall of Fame Induction 11/13 Virtual Homecoming December 2020 Voorhees College Day of Giving 12/1 (LIVE STREAM-A-THON with THE STARS) Final Exams January 2021 2021 Spring Semester Classes Begin 1/7 February 2021 Black History Month 2020-2021 Mr. and Miss Voorhees College Coronation 2/12 March 2021 Women’s History Month Mid Terms Spring Break April 2021 Founder’s Week Academic and Honors Awards Program Final Exams May 2021 2021 Commencement 1971 Golden Class Reunion Weekend June 2021 VCNAA National Convention Columbia, SC

Voorhees College Alumna Wins National Plus-size Pageant Competition

Voorhees College alumna Sharon Bennett was crowned Miss U.S. Plus World Cover Girl and Miss U.S. Plus Intercontinental, a division of Miss U.S. Plus World.

Miss U.S. Plus World is a pageant exclusive to women who wear a size 12 and up. The vision of the Miss U.S. Plus World Pageant is to showcase the diversity, creativity, leadership, style, grace, and beauty of women across the United States.

Bennet is currently a technology instructor at Elloree Elementary School in Elloree, SC. She said she was excited about winning the national title and, at first, was just happy to have been crowned Miss U. S. Plus World Cover girl.

“I look forward to representing the U.S. in the International Miss Plus World Pageant this upcoming February. It is surreal because competing is one thing, but winning is another. While I am happy, I understand the responsibility to represent women as a whole,” Bennett said.

“This has been an amazing journey to share my platform on a larger scale beyond South Carolina.”

Bennett created the platform Working On Reviving and Transforming Herself, W.O.R.T.H. to uplift and empower women of all shapes, sizes, and colors.

Since winning, she has appeared on iHeartRadio, Love and Hips, a television show catering to everything BBW, plus size, full-figured, and curvy models. Bennett has participated in numerous community service projects.

She graduated in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in organizational management. She also earned a master’s degree in instructional design from Capella University, and she earned a certificate in educational technology from Liberty University. While at Voorhees, Bennett joined the Eta Phi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is a member of the EmpowerHer chapter of the American Business Women Association, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Trinity No. 3 Order of Eastern Stars. She also holds membership with the Orangeburg Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and New Bethany Baptist Church.

Currently, Bennett is also a candidate for the District 6 St. Matthew’s City Council. She is the mother of two daughters, Ada and April; one son, Jeffrey; and one granddaughter, Jeryann.

To receive updates on how to watch the Miss Plus World pageant via live stream, where Bennett will be competing in the intercontinental division, visit the pageant’s website at missplusworld.us or follow them on Facebook @missplusworld.