The Voorhees Voice Spring 2008

The Voorhees A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF VOORHEES COLLEGE  MARCH 2008

MATHIS RETURNS TO VOORHEES AS A STUDENT AFTER 30 YEARS

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Civil rights activist encouraged students to continue the journey toward success.

2007 HOMECOING GALLERY

“Paving the Pathway to Excellence”

ALUMNUS MAKES HISTORY

2005 graduate becomes first black head football coach.

ACTING PRESIDENT Dr. Valdrie N. Walker

The Voorhees

VICE PRESDIENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCMENT Dr. F. Perna Carter VOORHEES VOICE EDITOR/ LAYOUT AND DESIGN Teesa Johnson Brunson

March 2008

Coordinator of Marketing and Media Relations

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Shavonne Gaskin Prospect Researcher

CONTRIBUTORS Tracy K. Golden, ‟96, Photography Dominique Shaw, Senior Journalism Student Wade Wiggan, Senior Journalism Student Unlimited Production Studio, Photography

The Voorhees Voice is published for alumni, faculty and staff, students and supporters of Voorhees College. All items may be reproduced with credit to the Voorhees Voice. Comments or suggestions should be addressed to:

Teesa Johnson Brunson Voorhees College P.O. Box 678 Denmark, SC 29042 (803) 780-1194 tbrunson@voorhees.edu

Contents Voorhees College ~ P.O. Box 678 ~ Denmark, SC 29042 ~ (803) 780-1234

Campus News ………………………………………… 4 Michelle Obama campaigns for Senator Barack Obama Dr. Cleveland Sellers speaks during Black History Month Famed-actor Danny Glover makes visit The Voorhees Concert Choir is under new leadership 2007 Homecoming Gallery Renovations continue at Voorhees Student News ………………………………………… 14 Students attend Graduate and Professional School Day Annual Oratorical Assembly was a success Participants prepare for HCASC in Orlando Mathis returns to Voorhees as a student after 30 years Alumni Features …………………………………….. 18 Alumnae selected as most prominent and successful Alumni Association President Spotlight 2005 graduate makes history in Bamberg

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU? In each issue, we include information on the accomplishments of our alumni, current students, faculty and staff, and supporters. We may want to include you in the next issue. Send story ideas and updates to tbrunson@voorhees.edu.

www.voorhees.edu Voorhees College is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the Episcopal Church. From its founding in 1897, Voorhees has evolved into a leading four-year liberal arts college fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Voorhees is fully committed to its mission to meet the highest standards for educating the minds, hearts and spirits of young men and women.

A note from the president: Greetings! Spring is in the air at Voorhees as the temperature warms and students migrate to our beautiful Pecan Grove for studying and socializing. Ahead of us are mid-term exams, spring break, and the infamous home stretch of college life for this year‟s graduating class of 2008.

We have experienced many “new beginnings” this academic year, and I am honored to have served as the acting president of Voorhees College these past seven months. I am deeply humbled and grateful for the personal and professional journey experienced through the work I engaged on behalf of promoting and championing Voorhees College. As stated by the noted poet and author, Maya Angelou, “Wouldn‟t Take Nothing for My Journey Now.” With this being said, I am happy to report that Voorhees College is making significant strides each day as we implement our Five-Year Strategic Plan. Through funds from the $15 million dollar bond referendum slated to strengthen the college‟s infrastructure, we renovated Guerry-Finley Hall, converted the old infirmary into the “new” admissions building, paved several campus roads and parking lots, and added A-frame roofs on residence halls, just to name a few of the improvements. There was excitement for all when students moved into Guerry-Finley during the first weekend in March. We pitched in as a Voorhees family to ensure that students were moved, and most importantly, our move in was a festive occasion. Renovations are now in progress on Halmi Hall; a fall completion date and move in is anticipated.

Voorhees continues to enrich academics by providing our students with opportunities for scholarly research that will expand their minds. We also offer hands-on experiences that will prepare them for our ever-changing global society. This spring, we proudly inducted ten students into the Alpha Kappa Mu Honorary Society, and seven students from our Adult Education Program were inducted into the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honorary Society. Our five-member Honda Bowl Classic team will compete against thirty-four college teams in Orlando, Florida, during our spring break. We are cheering for the VC team and their strong representation of Voorhees College. We were also delighted to reach an alltime high with eighty-two percent of our first-year freshmen returning to the college to resume their studies this spring. These are just a few of the many positive experiences we‟ve enjoyed this year.

Please remember to view our Web site to remain updated on our growth and many positive results.

As stated many times, we are unable to accomplish our goals without your support. Let me again take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of Voorhees College. It is through our alumni, faculty, staff, and friends that Voorhees College remains a viable institution.

I commend you on the tremendous job you continue to do to help us shape the minds and futures of our students. Together, we will improve the quality of life for students who matriculate at Voorhees College.

With warm regards, Valdrie N. Walker, Ed.D. Acting President

Michelle Obama told the audience the bar is continuously being raised for her husband, Democratic hopeful Senator Barack Obama.

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you are fading. Our college students are giving up on their dream careers because of the expenses. The bar is moving for our seniors as well. What they are forced to live on is not enough to pay for rent, prescriptions and food,” Michelle Obama said. “You have to be apart of the lucky few to have access to resources.”

Michelle Obama encouraged the crowd to vote for Barack Obama if they want to see a positive change in the way of life. “Barack is one of the most trusted and respected politicians,” she said.

“If we work together, pray together and stand together, we can do something amazing.”

Sen. Obama won the South Carolina primary, which was held Jan. 26, by a significant amount over Sen. Hillary Clinton and former Sen. John Edwards.

n Friday, Jan. 25, Michelle Obama spoke to a crowd of approximately 200 people in Massachusetts Hall Auditorium on the campus of Voorhees College. Senator Barack Obama‟s wife, Michelle, encouraged the crowd to vote for her husband who will be a different kind of leader. “The only person who has any chance of moving this country in a different direction is Barack Obama,” she said.

Michelle Obama went on to discuss how the bar is continuously moving for the average person by making references to single mothers, college students and senior citizens. “There is a constant decline in the quality of life for regular folks.”

“If you are a single parent, it is hard to maintain and you can‟t keep up,” she said. “You are feeling like

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McCottry-Brown speaks at Voorhees.

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harleston native, Tammy McCottry-Brown, host of the “Tammy” show, a local talk show aired in Charleston, was the keynote speaker for Voorhees‟s annual Martin Lu-

Sellers encouraged students to stay focused on receiving an education.

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ducator and civil rights movement veteran, Cleveland Sellers, spoke at Voorhees College on Thursday, Feb. 7, to kick off the annual Black History Month Celebration. Emotionally, Sellers began by saying that this is one of the most difficult

ther King Jr. program.

Tammy encouraged Voorhees students to pay attention to what is going on in today‟s society and do something about it. “It is time for you to open your ears, mind, heart and soul and make a difference,” she said. “Collectively, we have the economic power to change the world.”

During her speech, Tammy told the crowd how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made a difference in her life. “If it had not been for Dr. King, I would not have been one of the five African-Americans that integrated my elementary school,” she said. She also said that she would not have had her own talk show if it had not been for Dr. King. Tammy then asked the

times of the year for him because of the anniversary of the Orangeburg Massacre, which took place Feb. 8, 1968, on the campus of South Carolina State University.

“I knew this would be tough, but I am a very loyal alumnus of Voorhees,” Sellers said. Sellers graduated from Voorhees High School in 1962.

Sellers was the only person prosecuted in the wake of the Orangeburg Massacre. He served seven months of a one-year sentence in state prison for his involvement in the incident.

As Sellers spoke to a crowd of approximately 200 students, he encouraged them to be eager and willing to take on the challenges of today as the youth did during the civil rights movement.

“In life, there will be obstacles in 5

crowd, “Where would you have been if it had not been for Dr. King?”

Tammy went on to say that African-Americans still have a long way to go. “Where we are in today‟s society is very frightening,” she said. “Discrimination still remains, drugs are still rampant and women and children are still being abused.”

Before closing, Tammy encouraged students to be proactive and not reactive, get involved in issues that matter to our community, trust in God, and be themselves. “You are the future of our nation and world. Listen, learn and make good, sound decisions,” she said.

“Today, commit to keeping Dr. King‟s dream alive.”

your way to keep you from being successful,” Sellers said. “You have to rise above all of that. You must have a coating to keep you whole, and keep you moving forward.”

Before taking his seat, Sellers left the audience with a quote by Benjamin E. Mays, civil rights advocate and author.

“The tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching a goal, the tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.”

In June 2008, Sellers will be retiring from the University of South Carolina in Columbia as director of AfricanAmerican Studies, where he served for seven years. After retiring, he will continue at USC as a research professor of African-American Studies/History and senior scholar-in-residence.

Movie star Danny Glover visits Voorhees College

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mmy-nominated actor Danny Glover visited Voorhees in January 2008 campaigning for former democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards, who dropped his presidential bid shortly after the Florida primary.

In front of a crowd of approximately 100 people, Glover encouraged students to prepare for the future now. “Be the architect of your own future,” Glover said. He also told the students to think about the current issues and decide what kind of world you want for yourselves.

Glover is a native of San Francisco, California, and he attended San Francisco State University. During his time in college, he received dramatic training that prepared him for his successful movie career.

Danny Glover showed his support for John Edwards.

In 1979, he made his film debut in “Escape from Alcatraz.” Since then, some of Glover‟s movie credits include “Lethal Weapon” series, Predator 2, and “The Color Purple.” He has been nominated for three Image awards, as well as an Emmy.

Voorhees collects Thanksgiving baskets

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oorhees College assisted needy families during the Thanksgiving Holiday season by holding its annual Thanksgiving basket drive to support the Denmark community. All departments, academic divisions, clubs and organizations were asked to participate.

Thanks to the generosity from the participants, approximately 30 families received baskets for Thanksgiving.

Names of families were provided by local organizations.

All prepared baskets were delivered to St. Philip‟s Chapel Tuesday, Nov. 20, for the school‟s annual Thanksgiving service. Prepared baskets included canned goods and other nonperishable items. These baskets were distributed in the community following the Thanksgiving service.

“The Voorhees College family is grateful to have this opportunity to help families and individuals in need during this season of Holidays. We pray God‟s blessings on the entire Denmark community,” said Willie Jefferson, special events coordinator.

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The Voorhees College family supports a needy cause by donating Thanksgiving baskets.

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he Voorhees College Choir presented its annual Holiday Christmas Concert, “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols,” Dec. 9, 2007. This was the choir‟s first performance under the direction of Dr. Arthur L. Evans.

A retired professor of music and director of choral activities at SCSU, Evans is a native of Macon, Ga. He holds the following degrees in music: a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College; a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University, and a Doctorate of Philosophy degree from the University of Miami.

Evans holds membership in many organizations including Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity, Phi Mu

Dr. Anne Osano

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r. Anne Osano, assistant professor of biology and director of the Sisters in Science (SIS) project at Voorhees College, has been nominated by Dr. Valdrie Walker, acting president, for the 2007-

Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, the American Guild of Organists and the American Choral Directors Association.

He has served as chairman and vice chairman of the College Division of the South Carolina Music Educators Association (SCMEA), president of the South Carolina State American Choral Directors Association, chairman of the MultiCultural Committee for the Southern Division of the American Choral Directors Association and a member of the board of directors of the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra.

Dr. Evans was also instrumental in SCSU‟s full accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music in 1993.

2008 South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Teaching Award. Dr. Osano joined the Voorhees faculty in 2002. Since arriving, she has been instrumental in the Sisters in Science Project, which is a program designed to increase the percentage of female students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in science, mathematics, and computer science at Voorhees.

Osano has received various awards at Voorhees College. She was selected as “Woman of the Year” at the 2007 Honors College Emmy Awards.

She was also nominated for the “Best Female Teacher Award” at the 2006 Honors College Emmy Awards.

Prior to coming to Voorhees, Dr. Osano was employed at various universities across the country. She was a visiting professor at the University of Maryland in the School of Medi-

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Dr. Evans directing the choir during the concert

Junior accounting major Victorita Paun performs a solo during the Christmas concert.

cine, a visiting scientist at John Hopkins Medical University in Maryland, and a lecturer at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Dr. Osano believes that the most rewarding experience for her has been the work that she does for Voorhees students. “At Voorhees, my main priority is to make sure that our students are graduating with a quality education that prepares them for a successful career in medicine or graduate school,” she said.

Dr Valdrie Walker, acting president, believes that Dr. Osano makes a positive influence in students‟ lives daily. “Dr. Osano is very creative in her teaching methods,” Dr. Walker said. “She is a positive asset to our students inside and outside the classroom.”

2007 Homecoming “Paving the Pathway to Excellence”

2007 Homecoming “Paving the Pathway to Excellence”

The late Dr. Walker E. Solomon passed in 1996.

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new scholarship fund in the amount of $15,000 has been established at Voorhees to assist students majoring in education. The Walker E. Solomon Scholarship is named in memory of Dr. Walker Emanuel Solomon, a former recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, the highest award given by the governor honoring a citizen of South Carolina.

The scholarship is limited to students above the freshman level in good standing with Voorhees. Students must also be

majoring in education desiring to teach in the public school system. In addition, eligible students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.5.

Dr. Solomon graduated with a bachelorâ€&#x;s degree from Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Ga. He completed graduate studies at Atlanta University and Indiana University, and he received an honorary Doctor of Pedagogy degree from Benedict College in Columbia.

In 1947, he relocated to Columbia, and later accepted a position with the Palmetto Education Association. He served as chairman of the board of visitors of South Carolina State University from 1960-1968. He retired as the associate executive secretary of the South Carolina Education Association in 1980. On his retirement, the South Carolina Education Association established the Walker E. Solomon Human Relations Award in his honor.

In 1984 and 1988, he served as the South Carolina Chairman of the Jesse Jackson for President Campaign. Dr. Solomon was the first African-American to serve as the chairman of the South Carolina delegation to the Democratic National Convention in 1988.

Dr. Solomon has achieved numerous honors and awards and was a member of many organizations including Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, the NAACP, and the Columbia National Urban League. Ebony Magazine selected Dr. Solomon as one of its most influential black leaders in 1968. In August 1995, he was inducted into the Black Hall of Fame at the African-American Heritage Preservation Cultural Complex in Raleigh, N.C. Dr. Solomon passed away in 1996.

Faculty and staff train for a CDL license.

Dr. Walker and children at the annual Christmas party for the daycare center.

Rep. Bakari Sellers spoke to students on the importance of voting.

Elizabeth Thompson retired after serving 29 years at Voorhees.

After providing 40 years of service to Voorhees, Betty R. Davis retired in 2006 as the athletics coordinator.

Voorhees students show their support for Sen. Barack Obama.

Javaughn Toote encourages his peers to register to vote.

Professor Leland Barrows asks questions at a political rally.

Dr. F. Perna Carter spoke at Carver-Edisto Middle School.

Voorhees recently purchased two new school buses for student activities.

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n Jan. 30 and 31, Voorhees participated in Focus the Nation, an unprecedented teach-in model on global warming solutions, along with 1,906 other institutions across the nation.

“Today‟s college students are truly the greatest generation,” says Dr. Eban Goodstein, a professor at Lewis & Clark College located in Portland, Ore., and project director for Focus the Nation. “No other generation has ever had to face this kind of civilizational challenge.”

Focus the Nation has created a teach-in model centered on the three most essential pillars for today‟s youth to embrace solutions to global warming: education, civic engagement and leadership.

“We are in a time where critical decisions need to be made on global warming, which means today‟s leaders and the youth who will inherit the crisis need serious education on the issue,” said James “Gus” Speth, dean of the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies at Yale University.

The teach-in kicked off on the evening of Jan. 30, with the 2% Solution, a national, interactive webcast produced by the National Wildlife Federation and aired by the Earth Day Network. The next day, Jan. 31, included a range of global warming curricula presented by faculty and guest speakers before culminating with the “Green Democracy” round-table discussion between students and elected leaders on solutions to the crisis.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this initiative. This is education at its finest,” said Valdrie Walker, acting president of Voorhees College.

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r. Bernard Moses, the divisional chair for the Business and Professional Studies program, traveled to Wheaton College in Boston, Mass., in February to make several presentations to the college‟s sociology and psychology students about collective conscience.

Dr. Moses said the presentations covered two sessions of a combined class of approximately 60 students. Moses is the primary researcher of a study titled, “Students are made to feel Inferior and that comes from a "Collective Conscience" of some State Leaders not Equally Funding Schools in the Corridor

Students participate in registering guests and speakers at the event.

Dr. David Werth of Savannah River Site was a guest speaker.

of Shame in South Carolina.”

He received a Ph.D. in 2001 in sociology from the Union Institute and University and was responsible for publishing, “The Impact of Public School Suspension/Expulsions on Students and their Families,” which is filed in the library archive at the Union Institute and University among other articles that he wrote.

Dr. Moses added that he would love to give a speech on his presentation for Voorhees students.

-Wade Wiggan

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The above pictures show the inside of the newly renovated rooms and a student using his entry code to enter in his room.

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enovated to perfection that it sparkles on the outside, Guerry-Finlay Hall had its grand reopening celebration on February 12, following the Absalom Jones program. Cameras flashed, eyes widened, and awes filled the building at the miraculously improved dormitory. After the long wait, students eagerly reclaimed their territory on Feb. 29.

Since fall 2007, Guerry-Finlay has been undergoing drastic changes. Renovations to the 17,180square ft. male dormitory included: installing an Aframe metal roof with new gutters and downspouts, a new 10-ton air-conditioning/heating unit, a firstfloor shower and toilet stall for handicap accessibility, and a new sprinkler and fire alarm system.

“The electrical lighting in the hallways, lounge, stairwells, basement, and bathrooms were improved,” said Eddie Patterson, director of physical plant. Patterson also said that the bathrooms on each floor were improved by replaced plumbing in the showers and toilets and adding new ceramic tiles.

Additional changes were made by replacing the doors at the entrance, adding key-coded entry locks, adding water fountains on each floor, and purchasing new mirrors, desk tops, paint, and floor tiles for each room. Also, stairwells have new treads, all rooms have new blinds, and there is a new back floor (external) protection device for water. This protection device will filter out contamination.

Each semester, a new dorm will be renovated. Since the renovations to Guerry-Finlay took longer than expected due to environmental delays, the completion date for Halmi Hall is now summer 2008. Renovations for Battle Hall will begin in fall 2008.

“Maybe it‟s a costly project, but to see the pleased

look on the students' faces is priceless. Not only has a new love occurred between the students and their new living quarters, but a respected bond between the students and the college administration,” said Contravious Bailey, freshman at Voorhees.

Other renovations included the college apartment houses. “The complex is a 30-35 year-old structure that had a lot of wear and tear,” said Patterson. “It was a challenge because the further they went in the two and three-bedroom apartments, the more internal work had to be done to the walls for termites.”

Voorhees Physical Plant handled inside repairs such as floor covering, ceiling fans, washers and dryers, stoves, refrigerators, blinds and painting. They also cleaned around the yard and behind the apartments. Jackson Heating and Air out of North Augusta, SC, also helped physical plant with the project.

“It‟s going to be an outstanding renovation project. These are high quality apartment houses that the faculty should enjoy,” said Dr. Wilson, vice president for student affairs.

-Dominique Shaw

Freshman Jasper Fell relaxes in his room after moving in.

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he annual Graduate and Professional School Visitation Day, which was sponsored by the Career Planning and Placement Department, took place last semester in October 2007. Many students took advantage of this opportunity to discuss their educational interest with the participating schools.

Twenty-four graduate and professional schools across the nation participated in the event. Among those schools were Clemson University, Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing & Allied Health, Widener University School of Law, and West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Currently, many students are in the application process to enter graduate school in the fall. Last year, students received scholarships from various schools including Ohio State University, Bowling Green State University, Ohio University, the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Cincinnati.

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n Feb. 14, the Honors College sponsored its annual oratorical assembly in observance of Black History Month.

Students presented their work on topics relating to the African American culture. The topics presented were “Celebration of Black Existence,” “Recalling the Past to Reclaim the Dream,” Rise of the Black Woman,” Strategies for Preserving the African-American Male and his Legacy,” and “Cultivating Minds of Young African-Americans for Tomorrow‟s Leadership.”

The presenters for the event were James Harris, Siadra Strachan, Shampale Williams, Lionnel Smith, Javaughn Toote and Jerome Higgs.

Program participants along with Dr. Lugenia Rochelle, division chair of general studies and Honors College coordinator

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Since spring 1997, Voorhees College has participated in the HCASC by conducting a campus academic tournament. Each year‟s tournament selects the varsity team comprised of five students that are eligible to participate in the finals.

Last semester, 17 teams participated in the campus tournament held at the Jerry M. Screen Arena in the Dawson Center. Although the Alpha Kappa Mu team earned first place honors, it was the five leading scorers who were selected for the varsity team.

Voorhees College is one of the 64 teams, also known as “the Strong 64,” selected to participate in the finals. Other institutions that will be participating include Hampton University, Florida A&M University, Howard University and South Carolina State University.

Pictured left to right: Yasheika Robinson, Terrance Brown, June Streets, Dr. Marvin Wilson (team coach) Missing: Oluseye Olafimihan, Shaterra Smalls

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oorhees College has been selected to participate in the 19th annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) finals in Orlando, Fla., that will be held March 27 -31.

For the past 18 years, the Honda Motor Company has sponsored this challenge, an academic competition between historically black colleges and universities nationwide. Of all HBCUs that participate nationwide, Honda selects 64 college teams to move on to the finals.

-printed from the Student Affairs Explorer

Would you like to contribute to a student‟s education at Voorhees College? You can by making a donation now.

Please continue to commit to the quality education students receive at Voorhees.

For more information, please call Institutional Advancement at (803) 780-1191. You may also visit our Web site (www.voorhees.edu).

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illow D Mathis, a resident of Denmark, is not your average undergraduate college student. You may have seen her in classes, all college assemblies or even a college party. She is well known and adored by both faculty and students alike. “I recently met Mrs. Mathis, and she is such a wonderful and helpful person,” said Rashell Blake, a sophomore student at Voorhees. “She seems very happy, and she is a very wise woman.”

What makes Mathis unique is that her journey to Voorhees College began more than 30 years ago. She first enrolled at Voorhees in fall 1973. While at Voorhees, she was a student and also employed as the secretary of the dean of students. She eventually met her husband Marshall Mathis who had just returned from the Vietnam War. Mathis speaks with so much passion about Voorhees during the 1970s. “Voorhees was a thriving school. Students came from all over America and even foreign countries, much

Willow engages in a conversation with colleagues.

like today,” she said. “I also recall seeing parents writing checks to cover the cost of attendance for the entire year.

Eventually, Mathis was offered a job with the city of Denmark, and she withdrew from classes one semester prior to graduating. Mathis said that her husband always encouraged her to return and complete her degree. In 2003, her husband passed away and to honor his memory, Mathis decided to return to Voorhees in hopes of completing the degree that she started more than three decades ago.

Jayme Bradford, an assistant professor of mass communications, applauds Mathis‟ enthusiasm as a returning student. “Mrs. Mathis is involved with the campus experience, and she is very visible. I think she is an inspiration to other older students or learners who are contemplating coming back to college.” Bradford said.

Mathis said that she appreciates the Voorhees family for all of their help and support. “This experience is very beautiful, and I am enjoying every minute of it. The students and faculty are so wonderful,” she said. “My classes are great, and I can always depend on my instructors and fellow classmates to assist me when there is a difficult assignment. I will cherish every moment, and I am taking pictures of everyone for my album.”

-Wade Wiggan

Top picture: Willow gives a presentation.

Bottom picture: Curtiss Sumner, general manager of WVCD, explains to Mathis how to use the switch board.

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Dear Alumni & Friends: We are looking for volunteers to serve as class representatives for individual classes. As pointed out earlier to alumni, our fundraising goal for a scholarship this year is $100,000. To reach this goal, we are creating a "Class Competition.� We will monitor and report alumni giving by classes. Please indicate your class year on your gift. In November 2008, we will honor the winning class with special recognition during half-time at the Homecoming game.

The class representatives will organize and coordinate the activities for their class. We will need the class representatives to do the following: a.

Using letters, telephone calls, the internet or other means, contact members of your class and share the plan;

b.

Monitor your class giving and encourage your classmates to commit to an individual giving goal of at least $100 per person. Make sure you record the name, address, phone number and e-mail of each individual for cross checking and reporting;

c.

Search for creative ideas to share with your class to raise funds; and

d.

Attend as many quarterly planning meetings as possible. If you are not able to attend, send a representative and a report. At the present time, meetings are planned for March, June, and September on the college campus. The date will be communicated to you.

If you are willing to help, please e-mail Jimmy Gardner or Dorothy Patterson with your name, class, address, phone number, chapter, and e-mail address. Your support is truly appreciated and needed! Alumni, you can make a difference!

Dorothy Patterson, „74 Coordinator of Alumni Affairs 803-780-1192 dpatterson@voorhees.edu

Jimmy Gardner, â€&#x;69 VCNAA President 864-288-7626 jgard10326@aol.com

“Celebrating Women’s History Month”

Dr. Sandra T. Thompson

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oorhees graduate Dr. Sandra T. Thompson was selected as one of South Florida‟s most prominent and successful black women in 2007 by Success South Florida Magazine, which is a bi-monthly news and business publication. Dr. Thompson and 24 additional honorees were featured in the publication‟s

December 2007 issue, which highlighted notable black women who have displayed tremendous passion, remarkable leadership and exemplary service in their careers and communities.

Currently, Dr. Thompson is the provost at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Fla. She has been a member of the university‟s faculty and staff for more than 32 years. Prior to serving as provost, she was the former vice provost for the university.

The president of Florida Memorial University believes Dr. Thompson‟s role as an educator has touched the lives of countless colleagues and students. “There is no question that Dr. Thompson deserves this honor,” said Dr. Karl S. Wright, president of the university. “She was instrumental in leading the university toward a stellar accreditation record with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and she adds a fresh perspective to the university cabinet in her new position.”

I Tamara Webster

n July 2008, Tamara S. Webster, a May 2004 Voorhees graduate, will be attending a residency program at Palmetto Health Center in Columbia, S.C. Webster is currently attending Howard University College of Dentistry, where she is ranked sixth in her class. She is also serving her second year as president of the Class of 2008.

Webster is an active member of the following organizations: American Association of Women Dentists, the

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Dr. Thompson received her bachelor‟s degree from Voorhees College in 1970. She was also Miss Voorhees College during her senior year.

She went on to receive a master‟s degree from Fisk University and a doctorate degree from the University of Florida.

Dr. Thompson said Voorhees College prepared her for the future by giving her a foundation. “It was there (Voorhees) that I developed a deep appreciation for education and a lifelong commitment to learning and sharing information,” Thompson said. “I took my first trip abroad from there. In fact, I was able to study for a summer at the Universite de Poiter in La Rochelle, France, thanks to my French professor.”

Dr. Thompson added that Voorhees helped her develop into the person she is today. “When I arrived at Voorhees, I was a butterfly still in my cocoon,” she said. “At Voorhees, I learned to soar.”

-This information was obtained via a press release from Florida Memorial University.

Student National Dental Association, the American Student Dental Association and the Oral Cancer Society.

While at Voorhees, Webster was involved in many extracurricular activities including Student Support Services, Minority Biomedical Research and the Student Government Association. She was also captain of the women‟s basketball team during the 2003-2004 season. Webster graduated from Voorhees as first academic honor in her class.

Dr. Leo Reginald Smith

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r. Leo Reginald “Reggie” Smith, a 1973 Voorhees graduate, has been appointed to the board of directors of the DeKalb Tech Prep Consortium in Decatur, Ga. His background will assist the

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five local school system partners in the Consortium serving Decatur City, which are DeKalb, Morgan, Newton and Rockdale counties in Georgia.

The DeKalb Tech Prep Consortium is the largest of the 37 consortia covering Georgia. The board is composed of school-based personnel, employers and community leaders.

Tech Prep Consortia was formed to help meet the career development needs of students at the secondary and postsecondary levels and the workforce development needs of employers in the community.

Dr. Smith earned his B.A. from Voorhees College, M.A. from Webster University and Ph.D. from the Union Institute and University. He is employed by the State Personnel Administration‟s Georgia Leadership

n September 2008, a May 2007 graduate of Voorhees College will begin his tenure at Ernst & Young as a staff accountant. Kareem Streek is currently enrolled at Bowling Green State University in Ohio pursuing a Master of Accountancy degree.

Professor of accounting at Voorhees College, Dr. David Caslan, says Kareem was a hard working student who was a pleasure to teach. “Kareem was a very good student, the kind of student that teachers love,” Caslan said.

“Kareem came to class on time, worked hard, was respectful, did

Institute and Enterprise Learning Division in Atlanta as a human resources consultant.

Additionally, Smith serves as an adjunct professor at Colorado Technical University Online, Ashford Online and Grand Canyon University Online, where he teaches leadership and management, business ethics and human resource management. He is also a developer of affordable housing in South Carolina.

Smith is a member of the Metro Atlanta Voorhees College Alumni Chapter, a charter member of Eta Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and a member of Euclid #19 Free and Accepted Masons.

his homework, performed well on tests and helped other students.”

Caslan also felt that Voorhees College was instrumental in preparing Kareem for graduate school and the world. He feels that the biggest challenge Kareem will face is the long hours and travel required for the workforce. “These long hours will force Kareem to make some very tough decisions between professional success at work and spending time with his family,” Caslan said.

“The upper echelons of the business world do not just work 40 hours per week.”

Streek is anticipating his experience

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ience with Ernst & Young and recalls how it was an easy decision for him to choose that company. “The Ernst and Young culture is what made me decide to work with them,” Streek said.

“Ernst and Young has a motto of „We put people first.‟ Apart from being one of the „Big 4‟ accounting firms, it was the people that I met and the level of commitment that they put into the improvement of their work that made my decision easy,” he said.

-Wade Wiggan

O

n January 2, 2008, a momentous journey to Africa was made by author Albert Hayward, a 1975 Voorhees graduate. This trip was significant because he donated two books that he wrote to Tanzania, on behalf of the United States and South Carolina State University.

“Biology 1” and “Biology 2” were donated to ninth through twelfth graders in need of good resource materials.

Hayward, who currently resides in Goose Creek, graduated from Pleasant Hill High School as valedictorian of his senior class. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in biochemistry science education from Voorhees College. In 1976, he received his

M.S. in science education, and in 1982, he earned his Ph.D. in biology from Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga. Hayward is ranked a full professor at South Carolina State University. He is also a professor of science, the coordinator for chemistry education and coordinator for biology education. He has received a $25 million grant for SCSU for their learning materials.

“Voorhees gave me my start.

The administration had good steering and the people were caring; they helped a lot and made a difference,” he said. Hayward went on to say that he came to Voorhees because of all the positive stories he heard about the college.

Hayward said that he learned a great deal and was a very wellrounded student while at Voorhees. “I did some of everything, I was all around,” he said. While attending Voorhees, he worked for the president, was a member of the White Rose Club, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the National Honors Society.

“I enjoyed my experience, and it prepared me for today. Voorhees made me feel like I was somebody. It gave me the drive to help people.”

-Dominique Shaw

Who is the National Alumni Association President?

J

ames L. Gardner, a 1969 graduate of Voorhees, is the current National Alumni Association President. He is a native of Florence, but presently resides in Mauldin.

Gardner is currently an assistant principal, and he has worked in the public school system for 39 years in various roles including a teacher, adult school director and principal.

After graduating from Voorhees in 1969, Gardner earned a master‟s degree in school administration from Clemson University. He did further graduate studies at the University of Alabama, the University of South Carolina and Furman University.

Gardner is a charter member of both the Mu Pi Chapter of

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Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and the 100 Black Men of Upstate South Carolina. He has volunteered as a Big Brother at Phyllis Wheatley Association of Greenville and as a basketball coach in the Mauldin Golden Strip Youth Basketball League.

He also supports numerous activities sponsored by civic organizations including United Negro College Fund, the Urban League, NAACP, the United Way and the Blood Connection.

Kevin Crosby, head football coach at Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School

A

lumnus Kevin Crosby has made history during Black History Month. On Feb. 27, school officials at Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School offered Crosby the position as head football coach. This will make Crosby the first African-American head football coach in the school‟s his-

tory.

“I‟m very excited and pleased. I thank God for this opportunity that he has given me,” Crosby said. “Without him, none of this would be possible. I‟m very proud and extremely happy to be the head coach.”

Crosby returned to Bamberg in 2001 as a mathematics teacher and defensive coordinator for the football team. He was also the head coach for boy‟s basketball and track and field teams.

Prior to returning to Bamberg, Crosby was the defensive coordinator for Elloree High School from 19952001.

“When I had the opportunity to come back to Bamberg, my ultimate goal was to give back some of the things that I‟ve learned to the students here and to make this

program successful,” he said.

Crosby, a 1990 graduate of Bamberg, is currently working on his master‟s degree at Walden University in curriculum, instruction, and assessment. He received his bachelor‟s degree in mathematics from Voorhees in 2005.

“Voorhees College played an incredible role in my life and prepared me well for my career in mathematics education,” Crosby said. “The faculty continually challenged me each day, and they provided me with the knowledge, skills, and training that led me to my current position. Because of my positive experiences at Voorhees and the caliber of the professors, I was able to reach this extraordinary milestone in my life.”

Senior picture of Kevin Crosby at Bamberg

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2007 Honor Roll of Donors (Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2007) ...Thank you for your commitment to Voorhees College! $50,000 and above Episcopal Churches Domestic & Foreign Missionary Friends Estate of Ada Williams Trustees Golson, Dr. Matthew A. UNCF UNCF INC. $25,000 – 49,999 Trustees Voorhees, Ralph W. $10,000 – 24,999 Businesses J. Arnold & Associates LLC Corporations Bell South Co. Friends W. E. Solomon Endowed Scholarship Fund Trustees Bass, Dr. Marshall B. Moule, Mary Ellen $5,000 – 9,999 Alumni Geathers, Jerome Robinson, M.D., Dr. Rita J. Thomas, Dr. George B. Businesses South Carolina Bank & Trust Churches Diocese of Southwest Florida Corporations IBM Corporation Episcopal Churches Washington Chapter -U.B.E. Friends Monroe, Jr., Dr. Lee E. $3,000 – 4,999 Alumni Class of 2007 Robinson, M.D., Dr. Nathaniel M. Sellers, Dr. Cleveland L. Voorhees College - Philadelphia Alumni Association Foundations DL Scurry Foundation $1,000 – 2,999 Alumni Gardner, James L. Gardner, Rosia S. James III, Mose Jenkins, Dr. Wilsie Law Offices of Ronnie A. Sabb LLC Martin, Dan H. Reaves, Dr. Jimmy L. Robinson, Nathaniel Wigfall, Elizabeth Businesses Augusta Fiberglas Coatings, Inc White's Vending Churches St. Luke Baptist Church Classes/Chapters VC Denmark Alumni Chapter Corporations ABL Management, Inc. Episcopal Churches Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion

$1,000 – 2,999 continued Episcopal Churches Diocese of Long Island ECW Faculty/Staff Weldon, James Louis Friends Morley, Anthony J. Owens, Willie B. Serling, Joseph Lloyd Trustees Ellison, James H. Robinson, Dr. Prezell R.

$499 or lower continued Alumni Holland, Brenda W. Holliday, Rev. Clyde Hudson, Leonne M. Humbert, W. Michael Hunt, Roeberter W. Hurst, Cynthia F. Hymon, Addie M. Johnson, Deborah G. Johnson, La Trina Jones Jr., Rev. William Jones, Samuel Kennedy, Scott Manigault, Eva O. Manigault, Rev. Kaye F. Meekens, James & Dr. Michelle Moody, Sherry Yolanda Moses, Clara Nimmons, James Odom, John Riley, Inell Rivers-Graham, Helen Rogers, Chrystel Session, Alfredia Singleton, Raymond O. Smith, Carletta Jackson Stephens, Janet Dickerson Steward, Murdis W. Stover, Mary O. Trammell, Leonard Vaughn, Lula C. VC Piedmont Alumni Association VC-CSRA Alumni Chapter Wall, Eloise White, Grace Hunter Williams, Catherine D. Williams, Mary H. Wroten, Rev. Hezekiah L. Businesses Alfred Wilson Income Tax Service Brown & Moore Associates, LLC Churches Church of Women of All Saints First Tabernacle Baptist Church Galilee Missionary Baptist Church Montmorenci Baptist Church Corporations Southern Carolina Regional CDC Episcopal Churches Calvary Episcopal Church Epiphany Episcopal Church Episcopal Church Women SC St. Andrew‟s Episcopal Church St. Barnabas Episcopal Church St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church St. Christopher Episcopal Church St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Faculty/Staff Breland, Ella Bryant, Roosevelt Cloud, Channa DeBarr, Vanessa Freeman, Lavenia W. Jefferson, Willie James Jenkins, Jade J. Noronha, Valter E. O'Berry, V. Diane Rochelle, Dr. Lugenia Sapp, Johnnie Mae Sumner, Curtiss Whitaker, Katherine R. White, Tamatha Foundations The Milliken Foundation

$500 – 999 Alumni Coaxum, Jo Ann Dent, Benjamin J. Dority, Hezikiah Gloster, Herman Green, Patricia McCray, George Pittman, Herbert L. Robinson, Wilda J. Russell Jr., Paul VC Alumni of the Midlands Businesses Edisto Federal Credit Union GMK Associates, Inc Schwab Charitable Fund South Carolina Bank & Trust Episcopal Churches Church of the Resurrection ECW Diocese of Pennsylvania The Association Of Episcopal Colleges Faculty/Staff Davis, Dr. Leroy Kentopp, Timothy Foundations Macy's Foundation Friends Ivanisko, Marlene Trustees Fowler, Dr. Donald L. $499 or lower Alumni AFL - CIO Housing Investment Trust Baxter, Kenneth E. Blackmon, Deborah Breeland, Bennie Browman, Beryle Rice Brown, Dr. George L. Broxton, Sara M. Brumfield, Nicholas A. Capers, Sandra Carolina, Tijuana Davis Childress, Daisy R. Clarke, Julia S. Cofer, Brenda L. Crawford, Ralph Crump, Charles M. Department of Public Safety Dingle, Tereneika Xenobia Donaldson, Deloris Ellerbee, Ellen J. Faust, Peggy Floyd, Leslie Folk, Gwendolyn J. Fortune, Eddie Freeman, Robert W. Green, Adolph Guess, Dr. James G. Hampton, Myrann Bostick Harrison, Janie R. Henderson, Ervin Earl

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$499 or lower continued Friends Banks, Christopher Brooker, Sr., W. E. Davis, Wiley M. Durham, Diana K. Howell, Dr. Secaida Jones, Catherine Oliver Jones, Jacob R. Kay, Ann O. Mayfield, Jr., Judson T. McDaniel, Annie E. Palmer, Margaret W. Sturm, Charles E. Sullivan, Elizabeth W. Trustees Hepburn, Mary O' Bryant-Seabrook, Dr. Marlene L. White, Dr. Orlando

Please contribute today to an education at Voorhees College. For more information, please contact Institutional Advancement at (803) 7801191. You may also visit us online at www.voorhees.edu, or send your correspondence to P.O. Box 678, Denmark, SC 29042-0678.

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INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT P.O. Box 678 Denmark, SC 29042

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