the voorhees voice-fall 2008
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DR. CLEVELAND L. SELLERS, JR. INAUGURATED AS THE EIGHTH PRESIDENTTRANSCRIPT
DR. CLEVELAND L. SELLERS, JR.
INAUGURATED AS THE EIGHTH
PRESIDENT
The Voorhees VOICE
Voorhees College
P.O. Box 678 ~ Denmark, S.C. 29042 ~ (803) 780-1234
PRESIDENT
Dr. Cleveland L. Sellers, Jr.
VICE PRESIDENT FOR
INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Mr. Courtney L. Davenport
VOORHEES VOICE EDITOR/ LAYOUT AND
DESIGN
Teesa Johnson Brunson Director of Communications
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Jayme Bradford
Priscilla V. Ferrette
Cheryl D. McMichael
Sandra Rouse
Curtiss Sumner
CONTRIBUTORS
Valter Noronha, Director of Advancement Services
Dorothy Patterson, Director of Alumni Relations
Whitney Kennedy, Student
Lionnell Smith, Student
Shampale Williams, Student
Cecil Williams Photography, LLC
Unlimited Production Studio Photography
The Voorhees Voice is published for alumni, students,
faculty, staff and friends 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, S.C. 29042
(803) 780-1194
www.voorhees.edu
Let your VOICE be heard!
In each issue, we include information on the
accomplishments of our alumni, students, fac-
ulty, staff and friends. Send story ideas and
updates to [email protected].
Miss Voorhees College 2008-2009 and
the Student Government Association
President 2008-2009 discuss goals for
the academic year.
Kendrick Wright shares his experiences
interning in Rep. James Clyburn’s office.
Dr. Cleveland L. Sellers, Jr. is inaugurated as
the eighth president of Voorhees College.
1984 graduate establishes a scholarship
for mass communication students.
Miss Voorhees College 2008-2009, LaTonya Gillespie, and Student
Government Association President 2008-2009, Bryan Berry
A fter meeting LaTonya Farracee Rainey
Gillespie for the first time, her intel-
lect, beauty, kindness and love for
Voorhees is immediately revealed. Gil-
lespie was officially crowned Miss Voorhees Col-
lege during Coronation on September 19, 2008.
She now carries her title as Miss Voorhees with
pride and honor.
Gillespie, a native of Atlanta, Ga., is the middle
daughter of Barry and Gwendolyn Gillespie. After
graduating from Westlake High School in 2005,
she enrolled at Voorhees as a Presidential Scholar.
“I chose Voorhees because of its strong Christian
values and quality educational programs,” said
Gillespie, who is a senior biology major.
“Voorhees has challenged me academically
throughout my matriculation.”
Gwendolyn Gillespie said she is very proud of
her daughter, and she knows she will continue on
the path of success. “LaTonya is a very bright
young lady who has always made me feel proud,”
she said. “I’m looking forward to the day when I
can refer to my daughter as Dr. Gillespie.”
LaTonya spoke highly of her achievements
while at Voorhees. During summer 2008, she in-
terned at the University of Massachusetts Medical
School, where she researched proteins and tran-
scription factors in relevance to lung cancer.
LaTonya’s educational goals are to complete her
undergraduate degree in biology and then enroll at
a medical school in hopes of becoming a pediatric
dentist.
She has not decided on a medical school to con-
tinue her educational endeavors, but she has nar-
rowed it down to two schools. Gillespie is cur-
rently researching Meharry Medical College and
the Medical College of Georgia.
Some of Gillespie’s organizational memberships
at Voorhees include the Honors College and the
women’s basketball team.
Lekeshia Watts, a senior business administration
major, has been friends with LaTonya since their
freshmen year. Watts said that LaTonya will be an
excellent role model for other young ladies at
Voorhees.
friendly to everyone, and her queenly
Vo
orh
ees is a stu
den
t-centered
enviro
nm
ent.
“She has a very personable approach and a down
-to-earth attitude,” Watts said. “She is very
friendly to everyone, and her queenly duties never
overshadow who she is as a person.”
When Gillespie’s reign as Miss Voorhees College
comes to an end, she wants to be remembered as
uniting young women and instilling in them ele-
gance, etiquette and educational goals.
During this academic year, she will host seminars
and workshops for students on preparing for an inter-
view, writing a resume and applying to graduate
schools.
“I want other colleges to look at Voorhees and say
that we are a community of scholars.”
Another scholar who portrays a positive image of
the Voorhees community is Student Government As-
sociation President Bryan Berry.
As a first-generation college student, Berry’s ca-
reer goals are to complete his undergraduate de-
gree in sociology and attend graduate school to
obtain a master’s degree in both education and di-
vinity. Ultimately, Berry wants to become an ele-
mentary school principal.
“I enjoy working with kids and watching them
develop and grow,” Berry said. “I feel that kids
must have a strong foundation in elementary
school in order to successfully graduate from high
school.”
A native of Darlington, S.C., Berry is the son of
Philip Wallace and Brenda Berry. He has two
brothers, Stevie Gee and Markell Berry.
Brenda Berry was excited about her son, Bryan,
enrolling at Voorhees. “I have always looked up to
Voorhees College because of its many successful
alumni who I have met over the years.”
“They all have so much pride in their institution,
and I want my son to have that same experience.”
As a minister of six years and the pastor’s assis-
tant of Nation of Warriors Revival Center in Den-
mark, Berry said that more of his attention during
his presidency will be on the spiritual aspect of the
college experience.
“I believe that all aspects are important in life,
but only the spiritual aspects help you get through
life,” he said.
continued on next page
5 THE VOORHEES VOICE
Berry has chosen the theme, “Empowering the
Present to Impact the Future,” for the 2008-2009
academic year for the SGA.
“My cabinet and I will follow our theme by spon-
soring various activities focusing on the importance
of receiving an education,” Berry said.
According to Berry, increasing participation
among campus organizations in activities will be one
of his main objectives as the SGA president. “We
want to include each of our organizations in plan-
ning and carrying out our activities,” he said. “The
goal is to bridge the gap for a better college experi-
ence among student life at VC.”
Berry went on to say that the student government
association officers are working hard to set a prece-
dent for succeeding officers. “Our goal is to imple-
ment an activity fee within the cost of attendance at
Voorhees to lessen the burden of student solicita-
tion.”
SGA Judicial Council member and junior mass
communication major Shampale Williams said she
has worked with Berry on various projects, and he is
a role model for Voorhees students.
“Berry is highly respected across campus,” Wil-
liams said. “Students not only look up to him, but
they also admire him.”
Aside from SGA, Berry is also a member of the
Student Support Services Program and the chaplain
for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
In his leisure, Berry enjoys reading, listening to
music, traveling and spending time with family and
friends.
Berry said that Voorhees will play a vital role in
preparing him for a successful future.
“When I achieve my goals, I know that I will be
able to look back at Voorhees as being a community
that prepares scholars for a successful future.”
-Teesa J. Brunson
This article was contributed in part by Lionnell Smith.
2008-2009 STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION FIRST ROW (L-R): Charmaine Thompson, John Jackson, LaTonya Gillespie, Bryan Berry
SECOND ROW (L-R): James Harris, Alton Brown, Terrance Brown
THIRD ROW: Shampale Williams
6 FALL 2008
8 FALL 2008
During the summer 2008, Cody
Mitchell, a senior computer science
major from Augusta, Ga., interned
in North Las Vegas, Nev. for the
Department of Energy.
The Department of Energy has
won more research and develop-
ment awards than any other private
sector organization according to
Mitchell.
With a mission to advance the
national, economic and energy se-
curity in the United States, Mitchell
said he learned how to promote
technological innovations during
his internship with the energy de-
partment.
Mitchell’s daily tasks consisted of
ensuring cyber security, scanning
computers and installing programs.
His main focus was to strengthen
and improve the quality of life
through innovations in technology.
“There are a lot of opportunities
out there; you have to go get them
and take advantage of every chance
that you get,” Mitchell said.
-Shampale Williams
Brittany Green, a senior mass
communication major, was one of
13 students to participate in an eight
week internship with the Depart-
ment of Energy and the National
Nuclear Security Administration
(NNSA).
Green, a native of Sumter, S.C.,
worked with the Department of En-
ergy in the Office of External Af-
fairs at the Savannah River Site in
Aiken, S.C.
During this internship, she per-
formed the duties of a public rela-
tions professional. “The work was
exciting,” Green said.
“Before the internship, I had the
knowledge but little experience, but
now I’ve gained valuable hands-on
experience that will carry me a long
way.”
Green assisted in the office by
generating fact sheets and an office
newsletter that she wrote articles
for.
The final project that Green was
assigned was to devise a mock
news show.
“The show really introduced me
to television broadcasting,” Green
said. “The experience overall was
excellent.” -Lionnell Smith
Brittany Green
Cody Mitchell
Green spends the summer as
a public relations specialist
Mitchell completed a summer
internship in North Las Vegas, Nev.
9 THE VOORHEES VOICE
Kendrick Wright is the first Voor-
hees student chosen to participate in
an internship in Rep. James Cly-
burn’s office. Wright was one of
three students selected from a group
of 15 students from all colleges and
universities across South Carolina
who applied for the internship. He
officially began the internship in
September.
Wright, a senior majoring in busi-
ness administration, said his biggest
obstacle is handling stressful com-
plaints from Rep. Clyburn’s con-
stituents.
“Recording the complaints of
constituents is my main responsibil-
ity,” Wright said. “This is very
challenging for me.”
Wright said that after graduating
from Voorhees in May 2009, he
plans to attend law school. He also
said that he would like to pursue a
political office one day.
“I hope to have a career in politics
in the near future,” he said. “Having
a position of this nature will enable
me to help out rural areas and moti-
vate the youth, especially young
men. I want them to know that there
are other options for them in life
rather than selling drugs.”
A native of Andrews, S.C.,
Wright is an honor student at Voor-
hees and a member of Kappa Alpha
Psi Fraternity, Inc., the Honors Col-
lege and the Student Support Ser-
vices Program.
-Staff Contributor
Wright participates in an internship
in S.C. Rep. James Clyburn’s office
Kendrick Wright
Taichien Dickerson
Taichien Dickerson, a junior ma-
joring in accounting, spent his sum-
mer in Fort Collins, Colo. interning
at Mountain View Systems Inc.
While interning with this com-
pany, Dickerson assisted the com-
pany with logistics, prepped com-
puters for boot camp students seek-
ing certification in Microsoft Certi-
fied Professional (MCP) and
worked closely with the network
administrator.
Dickerson said that this experi-
ence has made him more prepared
in the technology field.
“My knowledge in technology is
up to date, and now I have quantifi-
able advantages, a better business
sense and the skills I need to be
successful,” Dickerson said.
His goals are to be a successful
business man, elevate his knowl-
edge on technology and attend
graduate school.
When asked what advice he
would give to underclassmen, he
said, “Find out what will get you
prepared for the next level and stay
focused to achieve your goals and
be successful.”
-Shampale Williams
Dickerson gains a wealth of experience
interning at Mountain View Systems Inc.
10 FALL 2008
T his semester, Voorhees enrolled nine fresh-
men from Talbotton, Ga., the birthplace of
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, Voorhees’ foun-
der. These students were Shemika Jones, Andrea
Mahone, Courtney Johnson, NaEisha Owens, Brit-
ney Smith, Branton Smith, Brittany Horton, Darius
Hamler and Garry Favors.
The Talbotton students came to Voorhees not only
to receive a quality education, but also to learn more
about Wright’s journey from Talbotton to Denmark
on her mission of establishing a school for young
African Americans.
Talbotton student Branton Smith said that it means
a lot to him that he is able to attend Voorhees Col-
lege. “Wright’s journey is special to me because she
overcame many obstacles and passage ways to es-
tablish her school,” Smith said.
“Without her journeying to Denmark in 1897, I
would not have been given this opportunity today. I
felt that it was my duty to make the same journey
that Ms. Wright did by enrolling at Voorhees. I want
to make sure that her hardships, trials and tribula-
tions were not made
in vain.”
Elizabeth Evelyn
Wright was born un-
derneath a rust-red
roof in Talbotton,
Ga. on April 3,
1872. Both of
Wright’s parents
were illiterate, yet
Wright made it her
obligation to establish Voorhees College so that fu-
ture generations would have opportunities
that her parents did not have.
The illiteracy and poverty of Wright’s family was
a major influence on why she wanted to make a dif-
ference in her community. She was motivated to
save her race from economic and social oppression.
Wright found that the only way for blacks to over-
come oppression was receiving an education.
At the age of 16, Wright enrolled in Tuskegee In-
stitute in Alabama. While she was at Tuskegee, she
was strongly influenced by one of the world’s most
prominent black educators, Booker T. Washington.
It was Wright’s goal to be an inspiration among
her people like Booker T. Washington. There were
two themes that strongly dominated the life of Voor-
hees College’s foun-
der, which were the
education of blacks
and the training of
blacks in industrial
skills.
Wright’s mission
in life in her own
words was, “to try to
help my fellow man
to help themselves,
and if a way was not open for them, I must open it
myself.”
She was willing to sacrifice anything to get an
education. She worked in the day and attended
classes at night; it was her dedication that separated
her from others.
She was moved by the inspiring and motivating
words of Booker T. Washington. Wright came under
his spell and knew that she would dedicate her life to
doing for her race what she saw and experienced
Booker T. Washington doing.
On numerous occasions in her quest to open a
school for African Americans, she was harassed, in-
TALBOTTON, GA. FRESHMEN AND MISS VOORHEES: FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Shemika Jones, Andrea Mahone, Courtney Johnson,
NaEisha Owens, Britney Smith, Branton Smith, Brittany Horton, LaTonya Gillespie
Not pictured: Garry Favors and Darius Hamler
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright
11 THE VOORHEES VOICE
insulted and threatened, yet she persevered. She
withstood the Ku Klux Klan and other anti-black
groups that tried to destroy her dreams.
Finally, after overcoming many obstacles, she
found a location in Denmark. In 1897, with just a
dinner bell and 14 chairs, she opened the Denmark
Industrial School. The total enrollment was 14 stu-
dents
Voorhees President Cleveland L. Sellers, Jr. said
that students can learn many life lessons from Ms.
Wright. “When she founded this school, she was a
23-year-old woman in frail health who overcame
challenge after challenge to build her school.”
In 1902, the name
of the school was
changed to the Voor-
hees Industrial School
in honor of a New
Jersey philanthropist,
Ralph Voorhees.
Ralph Voorhees and
his wife, Elizabeth, intrigued by Wright’s vision and
dedication, continually donated funds assisting
Wright with purchasing more land and constructing
buildings on campus.
One hundred and twelve years later, Voorhees
College is still standing. It is because of its founder
having a goal and persevering until she reached it.
Voorhees College has had an influence on not only
students’ lives but the community and the nation as
well.
LaTonya Gillespie, Miss Voorhees College 2008-
2009, said that Wright was an inspiration to those
who were around her and remains an inspiration for
generations to come. “Her mission in life was simply
to help others receive an education so that they could
better themselves in life.”
-Teesa J. Brunson
Shampale Williams
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright Voorhees College Founder
First female dormitory on campus
President Cleveland L. Sellers, Jr.
12 FALL 2008
The Inauguration and Consecration Celebration of
Voorhees College eighth president, Dr. Cleveland L.
Sellers, Jr., was held October 16, 2008.
The ceremonial activities included a Pre-Inaugural
Kickoff exhibiting the works of renowned artist,
Jonathan Green, an Inaugural Concert, featuring Dr.
David Oliver (organist), Dr. Yvette McDaniel
(soprano) and Ivan Griffin (baritone) and a Com-
munity Worship Service. The keynote speaker for
the Community Worship Service was the Reverend
Cleveland Sellers, III, the son of President Sellers
and his wife, Gwendolyn.
The Right Reverend Mark J. Lawrence, Bishop of
South Carolina, clergy members and numerous rep-
resentatives from Episcopal Churches attended this
event.
The Voorhees family was also joined by key politi-
cal, business and education leaders from across the
country.
13 THE VOORHEES VOICE
Vo
orh
ees’ loya
l son
return
s ho
me.
EIGHT FOR
OUR EIGHTH
What does it mean to come back to Voorhees
during such challenging times?
It’s interesting! This is something that I never thought
would really happen. Going along the path that I took,
getting back here is amazing. What I will do is begin to
focus on the history and legacy of Miss Elizabeth Eve-
lyn Wright. We will have to get back to being student-
centered and focused on values, behavior and attitudes,
which is what Voorhees originally did.
What do you feel students can learn from Voor-
hees’ founder, Elizabeth Evelyn Wright?
I think of the core values of Elizabeth Evelyn Wright,
which were the importance of education, determination,
resilience and the willingness to work hard. These are
some of the values young people and students need to
begin to build during their college years. Miss Wright
kept going with the idea that she was going to be suc-
cessful with establishing her school.
What is your definition of success for Voorhees
students?
We have to help our young people identify what suc-
cess is. Success in this more hip hop generation and
certainly the post civil-rights era has more to do with
material achievements. Success should include satisfac-
tion, reverence and the good feeling in helping others
or smoothing the road or path for someone else.
While we are helping to build character, we also want
to be able to define success. Success for me means we
have produced a person who is a good citizen, not a
person who is necessarily an attorney or a doctor.
While all of that is important, we would like to produce
good citizens who go out and make a difference in the
world, change people’s lives and continue to build
communities based on faith and Christian perspectives.
What do you see in the future for Voorhees?
I see Voorhees in the next five to ten years as having a
premier liberal arts curriculum. I also see Voorhees
having the resources to continue three things: increas-
ing faculty development; awarding more scholarships
to young people; and having additional student activi-
ties, more specifically athletics. I would like to see a
good, solid athletic foundation. Those things are a part
of the college experience.
We promised young people that they will have a pro-
ductive college experience. Fortunately, having a vari-
ety of student activities is an important part of social
development.
Do you believe Voorhees’ student enrollment will
grow tremendously in the next five to ten years?
I think that we will always be small, and there is noth-
ing wrong with that. I do think that in five years we
will be in the position to increase our student enroll-
ment to at least 1200.
We want to be a diamond in the rough. I’m not talking
about trying to become the University of South Caro-
lina or South Carolina State University. I’m talking
about trying to become the liberal arts college that
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright was actually dreaming of.
14 FALL 2008
Dr. Cleveland L. Sellers, Jr. graduated from Voorhees High
School in 1962. Decades later, he has returned to his alma
mater as the eighth president.
I would love to see Voorhees being competitive with
other HBCUs and other liberal arts colleges in the state
of South Carolina. We have been there, and we can get
back there.
I want our students to be able to go around the world
and make a difference. I would like some students to
become doctors, lawyers and engineers doing things
important in their communities. Others will become
teachers and professionals working in communities
passing along important values to another generation.
What message would you like to send to
alumni?
Come visit the school, contact classmates and tell them
to get involved. Take advantage of opportunities to
come back for Founder’s Day, and remember that it did
have meaning. It is a product of who we are. We want
alumni to dust the shades off so that the light can shine
through and get more excitement in their lives about
Voorhees.
We are trying to do the same thing that you saw Presi-
dent-elect Barack Obama doing in terms of excitement.
People used to think $25 would not make a difference,
but Obama said to give what you can and let’s make
history together! Alumni must give.
What would you like the Denmark community
to know about Voorhees’ future?
The most important thing is to get excited, but also rec-
ognize that African American institutions are endan-
gered. If we do not reach out and hold on to these insti-
tutions, they will all disappear. That would be a tragedy
for Elizabeth Evelyn Wright to go through all that trou-
ble just to have Voorhees taken away from her.
This means that we all have an obligation. This is an
opportunity to make this institution available to genera-
tions yet to be born.
Do you sometimes feel that it is a dream that
you are now the president of your very own
alma mater?
Sometimes I have to pinch myself and say, “Am I
really here?” Then reality sets in and says, “Yes, I am
really here, but I have a really big responsibility of not
only showing up but being able to move the school to
new heights and tie to that the legacy of not only Miss
Wright, but many of the other former college presi-
dents. Some of those presidents were Dr. John F. Potts,
third president of Voorhees, Dr. Luns C. Richardson,
who has been president of Morris College for 34 years,
Dr. M. Maceo Nance Jr., fifth president of South Caro-
lina State University, Mary McLeod Bethune, founder
of Bethune-Cookman College and Claflin University’s
current president, Dr. Henry N. Tisdale. All of these
leaders are native South Carolinians.
These leaders have set before me quite a challenge, not
just the operational, administrative and governance
components, but what they represented in terms of their
depth as educators. I would like to create the same kind
of community and environment as they did where
young people have the opportunity to learn how to be-
come critical thinkers and move on to become success-
ful.
INTERVIEWED BY TEESA J. BRUNSON,
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
15 THE VOORHEES VOICE
N EC Unified Solutions, Inc. (NEC), a leader
in enterprise business communications, an-
nounced Voorhees College is using the
NEC Sphericall solution to provide students, faculty
and staff in five locations with software-based voice
and desktop communications tools to achieve a 40
percent savings over its previous traditional teleph-
ony solution.
NEC Sphericall is a 100 percent software-based
alternative to traditional telephony that leverages
open standards for flexible, pure IP-based unified
communications. For Voorhees, Sphericall provides
a means for faculty and staff to interact between de-
partments and connect with students using IP voice
or desktop communication tools across five loca-
tions in South Carolina.
“NEC Sphericall was the right solution for Voor-
hees College in a number of ways. First and fore-
most, it fits the specific communication needs of
both our faculty and students,” said Tim Kentopp,
chief technology officer for Voorhees. “The fact that
we have achieved significant cost savings helps us
from a budgetary standpoint tremendously. Even
better, our staff has an advanced means of communi-
cating that fits their expectations, and this is some-
thing other area colleges currently do not possess.”
Voorhees faculty and staff leverage a number of
the unified communications (UC) features within
Sphericall, including instant messaging, click-to-
call, presence-based call routing and unified messag-
ing to the Outlook inbox. These capabilities allow
the faculty and staff to streamline decisions and
processes that dramatically improves customer ser-
vice for students.
From an IT department perspective, Kentopp and
his staff benefit from Sphericall’s centralized man-
agement features and automated failover, which al-
lows calls to automatically re-route when service is
disrupted in one of the college’s five locations. Stu-
dents and faculty also have four-digit dialing
throughout the college’s multi-site network.
Developing solutions that can help improve organ-
izational efficiency is part of NEC’s UNI-
VERGE®360 vision to unify business communica-
tions. The approach enabled Voorhees to provide
enhanced software-based communication services to
faculty and staff as well as students at a significant
cost savings over traditional telephony options.
-Staff Contributor
Dr. Fadh Z. Eissa, Voorhees biology professor, was part of a team of
42 professionals from institutions across the United States who reviewed
the Sixth Edition of Microbiology: A Human Perspective.
Professor Eissa holds two doctoral degrees, a Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine and a Doctor of Philosophy. He is one of only 120 scientists in
the United States who are board certified by the American Board of Vet-
erinary Toxicology.
NEC Sphericall® gives
Voorhees the technological edge
18 FALL 2008
T he college needs a
commitment to aca-
demic excellence and
for students to do their best is
what Voorhees College Presi-
dent Cleveland L. Sellers, Jr.,
said during his first Convoca-
tion in September.
The keynote speaker at the
college’s 112th Convocation
was Dr. Andrew Billingsley, a
professor of sociology and Afri-
can American studies at the Univer-
sity of South Carolina
During Billingsley’s address, he
encouraged students to stay in
school, study and graduate. He
gave students three reasons why
they should do this.
“You will be able to provide for
yourself, family and children,”
Billingsley said. “College gradu-
ates earn twice as much as non-
graduates.”
Billingsley’s number two reason
was having a prosperous life.
“College graduates on the average
live longer, stay out of trouble and
stay out of jail more than non-
graduates.”
Billingsley also focused on pro-
viding community service. “My
number three reason for staying in
college is, if you finish, you will
be better able to give back to the
community that helped you,” he
said.
“I urge you to make yourself
ready when the time comes for you
to step forward and lead our na-
tion.”
Later in his address, Billingsley
told students that they should try to
emulate Voorhees College foun-
der, Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, be-
cause she received an education
from Tuskegee in hopes of helping
others. “Elizabeth Evelyn Wright
is still a “beacon of light” 112
years later.”
He said that President Sellers is a
positive role model for them as
well. “Dr. Sellers is another great
beneficiary of Voorhees,” he said.
“After all the struggles and turmoil
he went through during the Civil
Rights Movement, he never
stopped learning.”
“He is prepared to lead Voorhees
College into the future if you give
him your cooperation and support.”
-Teesa J. Brunson
Dr. Andrew Billingsley
T he Bamberg County Sher-
iff’s Office made a dona-
tion to Chief James
Weldon for Voorhees College.
The sheriff’s office donated six
protected vests and a new emer-
gency radio.
The donation received from the
Bamberg County Sheriff’s Office
was valued at $3,500.
“Voorhees College greatly ap-
preciates this donation from the
sheriff’s office,” Chief Weldon
said.
Chief Weldon is presented with a donation
19 THE VOORHEES VOICE
Billingsley uplifts Voorhees during Fall Convocation
more than 30 years of experience in
higher education in various faculty
and administrative roles.
As executive vice president/
academic dean, Carpenter will work
directly with President Sellers on
advancing the quality of each aca-
demic program and ensuring that
each academic program is preparing
Voorhees’ students to be competi-
tive in their area of study.
“I have always been a proponent
of academic excellence,” Carpenter
said. “It is important for Voorhees
to continually prepare students by
offering more majors and enhanc-
ing faculty productivity through
teaching, research and community
service.”
Prior to Voorhees, Carpenter
served as professor of education
and interim vice president of aca-
demic affairs at South Carolina
State University. Additionally, he
has served in administrative and
faculty roles at Fort Valley State
University and Claflin University.
Carpenter earned a bachelor and
master degree from South Carolina
State University and a doctorate in
education from the University of
South Carolina.
“Voorhees College is fortunate to
attract an expert with a history of
accomplishments in academia,”
President Sellers said. “Our stu-
dents will benefit immensely from
Dr. Carpenter’s leadership over our
academic programs.” -Staff Contributor
Dr. Carl Carpenter has joined
Voorhees College as the ex-
ecutive vice president/
academic dean. Carpenter has
Dr. Carl Carpenter
Davenport will lead institutional advancement
Courtney L. Davenport
Courtney L. Davenport has
been hired as the vice president
of institutional advancement.
Davenport’s main responsibil-
ity will be overseeing the fund-
raising efforts of Voorhees and
directly assisting Dr. Sellers with
the overall image enhancement of
the college.
Davenport, a resident of Atlanta,
Ga., earned a bachelor’s degree in
biology from Georgia State Univer-
sity and a bachelor’s degree in psy-
chology from Morehouse College.
He earned a Master of Public Ad-
ministration degree from Troy State
University. He received certifica-
tion in fund raising management
(CFRM) from the Center of Philan-
thropy at Indiana University.
He is a member of the Associa-
tion of Fundraising Professionals,
the Association of Black Founda-
tion Executives, the Council for
Advancement and Support of Edu-
cation, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity,
Inc., and the Judge for the National
Commission on Philanthropy and
Circle of Excellence.
In his role, Davenport will also
oversee communications, alumni
relations, development, sponsored
programs, Title III, WVCD-790
AM and advancement services.
Sellers said that Davenport’s ex-
perience in fundraising will be a
tremendous asset to Voorhees. “I
feel confident in Mr. Davenport’s
ability to direct institutional ad-
vancement,” Sellers said.
Davenport said he looks forward
to helping Voorhees become a pre-
mier liberal arts institution in the
nation.
“I know that Voorhees is on the
right track to become an educa-
tional asset for all students under
the leadership of Dr. Sellers.” -Staff Contributor
20 FALL 2008
Voorhees names Dr. Carl Carpenter as
the executive vice president/academic dean
Dr. F. Perna Carter serves as
vice president for student affairs
Dr. F. Perna Carter is excited
about her new role at Voorhees
as the vice president for stu-
dent affairs.
Carter will serve as the prin-
cipal administrative officer of
the Division of Student Affairs.
She is a charter member of the
National Sponsored Programs Ad-
ministrators Alliance, a member of
the National Association of the Ti-
tle III Administrators, the American
Society of Public Administrators
and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,
Inc.
A native of Montgomery, Ala.,
Carter earned a bachelor’s degree in
industrial and systems engineering
and a certificate in health systems
from the Georgia Institution of
Technology. She furthered her edu-
cation by receiving a master’s de-
gree in public administration from
Auburn University and a doctorate
in public policy and administration
from Mississippi State University.
“My focus will be creating a more
nurturing and caring environment
Dr. F. Perna Carter
Francis E. Simmons
Francis E. Simmons is the
head men’s basketball coach.
With 33 years experience as an
educator and coach, Simmons
served 17 years at South Carolina
State University as the assistant
men’s basketball coach and four
years as head women’s basketball
coach at Bethune-Cookman Univer-
sity in Daytona Beach, Fla.
“I want to bring a sense of suc-
cess to the program,” Simmons
said”
“But in order to achieve any suc-
cess, our athletes must remember
they are students first.”
Simmons began his coaching ca-
reer at Walterboro High School as
the boy’s varsity basketball coach
from 1975-1985 and went on to
work as a sports specialist in the
Caribbean Islands, where he taught
fundamentals to international bas-
ketball athletes.
President Sellers is looking for-
ward to working with Simmons
and agrees that student athletes
must strive to excel in academics
as well.
“Voorhees is a community of
scholars,” Sellers said. “Every
component of the Voorhees com-
munity must demonstrate scholar-
ship including our student ath-
letes.”
Simmons holds a Bachelor of
Science degree in elementary
education and is currently pursu-
ing a master’s degree in education
at the University of South Caro-
lina. -Lionnell Smith
21 THE VOORHEES VOICE
so our students can excel to their
greatest potential inside and out-
side of the classroom,” Carter
said.
“We must continue to show our
students how much we appreciate
them by adding more student ac-
tivities and giving them a more
vocal role in some of the student
programming that we have on
campus.”
President Sellers said he knows
Dr. Carter will be a positive asset
for students. “I feel confident in
Dr. Carter’s ability to work with
students and create a more student
-centered environment.” -Whitney Kennedy
Voorhees graduate returns as
head men’s basketball coach
Fa
culty/S
taff H
igh
ligh
ts
Voorhees welcomes new hires in academic affairs Voorhees College President Dr. Cleveland L. Sell-
ers, Jr. is continuing his goal of moving the institution
toward academic excellence by hiring four new em-
ployees in academic affairs. The recent hires include:
Dr. Donald Small, director of faculty development/
professor of education; Dr. Doris Matthews, director
of teacher education/professor of education; Dr. Isaac
Brunson, director of the college choir/assistant pro-
fessor of music; and Richard Reid, archivist.
Dr. Donald Small, recently named director of fac-
ulty development/professor of education, is a native
of Wilmington, N.C. and a retired tenured professor
of educational administration research from South
Carolina State University. Small also taught at Fa-
yetteville State University and Benedict College.
“I am absolutely excited to work with President
Sellers and Dr. Carpenter, vice president of academic
affairs,” Small said. “I have found them to be true
professionals in academia.”
Small received his doctorate in educational admini-
stration from the University of Kansas in 1978. He
obtained a Master of Arts degree in educational ad-
ministration and a Bachelor of Arts degree in geogra-
phy from North Carolina Central University in Dur-
ham, N.C.
Fellow newcomer, Dr. Doris Matthews, comes to
Voorhees from Claflin University. Matthews received
a doctoral and master’s degree in elementary educa-
tion from the University of South Carolina. She re-
ceived a bachelor’s degree in elementary education
from Newberry College.
“In my role, my main responsibility is reinstating
the teacher education program in elementary educa-
tion at Voorhees,” Matthews said. “My goal is to get
more minority students prepared to be successful
teachers in South Carolina and across the United
States.”
Sumter, S.C. native, Dr. Isaac Brunson, who gradu-
ated from the University of Michigan with a doctoral
and master’s degree in music in 2007 and 2003, said
he hopes to increase the number of members on the
college choir.
“The best advertisement and recruiting tool is the
quality of your work,” Brunson said. “If I take the
group that I have now and concentrate on the quality
there, this will do more for recruiting than anything
else.”
Brunson also received a master’s degree in music
from Winthrop University in 1998 and a bachelor’s
degree in music from Coker College in 1987.
Richard Reid, a 1970 South Carolina State Univer-
sity alumnus, was hired as the archivist. Reid is cur-
rently researching Voorhees’ founder, Elizabeth Eve-
lyn Wright. He is in the process of developing a
documentary on Wright’s journey from the Tuskegee
Institute, which is now Tuskegee University, to
founding Voorhees College.
Reid said he is excited about working at Voorhees
and learning more about Voorhees’ founder, Eliza-
beth Evelyn Wright. “Just to explore the life and
times of Elizabeth Evelyn Wright is fascinating,”
Reid said. “Her story by itself is one of great strength
and determination.”
Dr. Sellers said he looks forward to working with
each of the new employees in their respective roles.
“Each of these individuals brings outstanding and
valuable capabilities to our institution,” President
Sellers said. -Teesa J. Brunson
22 FALL 2008
During summer 2008, Jayme L. Bradford, assistant professor of mass commu-
nication at Voorhees, was selected to participate in a “Digital Media Summit” at
ABC Studios in Burbank, Calif. The program was co-sponsored by Disney and
the International Radio and Television Society.
In addition, Bradford has served as a consultant and panelist for the Southern
Regional Press Institute at Savannah State University since 2006. She was also
awarded a newsroom fellowship from the Radio Television News Directors
Foundation to spend a month at WCNC-TV in Charlotte, N.C.
Alumnus David Miller establishes a
scholarship for mass communication students
D avid Miller, a 1984 magna
cum laude humanities gradu-
ate, established an annual
scholarship at Voorhees, the David G.
Mil ler Mass Communicat ion/
Journalism Scholarship.
The scholarship is in the amount of
$1,000. Students who are interested in
receiving the scholarship must be a
mass communication major and
have at least a 3.0 grade point
average.
As co-owner of Our Weekly
Newspaper in Los Angeles,
Calif. since its inception in 2004,
Miller has implemented success-
ful strategies and marketing
plans for the popular 50,000
weekly periodical.
Our Weekly has a weekly read-
ership of more than 150,000 ca-
tering to the affluent African
American communities of Los
Angeles and surrounding areas.
As co-owner of Our Weekly,
Miller has more than 25 years of
experience in the newspaper in-
dustry with 17 years in manage-
ment in print media outlets such
as the Los Angeles Daily News,
Wave Community Newspapers,
LA Weekly, Los Angeles Times
and the Los Angeles Examiner.
His turnaround capability is
highlighted by his accomplish-
ments as director of advertising
of the Wave Community News-
papers where he led a dis-
tressed company to record
profitability through brand re-
vitalization, sales operations,
sales packaging, sales market-
ing and general advertising.
He is recognized for his suc-
cess in growing company sales,
profits and product turn-
arounds.
After graduating from Voor-
hees, Miller received a Master
of Science degree in journal-
ism/mass communication from
Iowa State University in 1986.
He is an active member of
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity,
Inc.,
an executive board member of
the Crenshaw Chamber of
Commerce and an active mem-
ber of
California Black Media.
Miller resides in Los Angeles
with his wife, Paula, and their
two daughters, Jade and Jah-
nae.
1984 Alumnus David Miller
23 THE VOORHEES VOICE
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Program January 22, 2009
Black History Month Program February 5, 2009
Honors and Awards Convocation March 19, 2009
Founder’s Day Convocation April 7, 2009
Commencement Convocation May 9, 2009
National Alumni Association Meeting June 19-21, 2009
Atlanta, Ga.
For more information on these
events, please contact Willie
Jefferson, special events coor-
dinator, at 803-780-1149 or
Alu
mn
i New
s
2008 Alumna Siadra Strachan
24 FALL 2008
UPD
ATE O
N
2008
GR
AD
UA
TES
BY
TH
E V
OIC
E S
TA
FF
Siadra Strachan, Voorhees College’s 2008 first aca-
demic honor graduate, is currently enrolled at Bowling
Green State University in Ohio. She is pursuing a Mas-
ter of Accountancy degree and is the recipient of a full
academic scholarship and a graduate assistantship.
Graduating with a 4.0 grade point average, Strachan
was a member of the Honor’s College, Student Govern-
ment Association, Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, the
Voorhees College Poetry Society and the International
Student Association while at Voorhees.
Born and raised in the Bahamas on the island of Grand
Bahama, Strachan is excited about graduate school and
is grateful for all of her experiences at Voorhees.
“I honestly owe all my thanks first to God and sec-
ondly to the faculty and staff of Voorhees who gave me
the opportunity to grow as a student and future profes-
sional,” she said.
“While enrolled at Voorhees, I was blessed with great
professors who took a great interest in each student.”
2008 top honor student still soars
Former Miss Voorhees is now
at Georgetown University
June Demetra Streets,
Miss Voorhees College
2007-2008, continues
her quest for higher edu-
cation at Georgetown
University in Washing-
ton, D.C.
Streets is a student in
Georgetown Univer-
sity’s School of Nursing
and Health Studies.
Streets is enrolled in
the Accelerated Second
Degree Bachelor of Sci-
ence in nursing program
that prepares students
who have already com-
pleted a bachelor's de-
gree in another field for
June Streets
Miss Voorhees College 2007-2008
professional nursing
practice.
While at Voorhees,
Streets was a member
of Alpha Kappa Mu
Honor Society.
Former SGA President continues
his studies at Howard University
Dameone Ferguson SGA President 2007-2008
Dameone Ferguson
currently attends How-
ard University in Wash-
ington, D.C. on a full
academic scholarship
and a graduate assistant-
ship.
Upon completion, Fer-
guson will receive a
master’s degree in clini-
cal social work, with
specialization in mental
health and HIV/AIDS
population.
Ferguson graduated
with a bachelor’s degree
in mass communication.
While at Voorhees, he
was a member of Alpha
Kappa Mu Honor So-
ciety, the Honor’s Col-
lege, Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity, Inc. and the
concert choir.
Jordan said that most of his time
was spent working on crystal re-
ports where he and a team of other
chief information officers up-
graded large data organization pro-
grams to be used on the site by
employers and employees.
“It was a challenge at first, but
we took it head on, and in the end,
we were successful.” Jordan said.
“I can honestly say that Voor-
hees prepared me for the tasks I
performed.”
Jordan, a member of the Sigma
Theta chapter of Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity, Inc. is currently em-
ployed with Voorhees in the infor-
mation technology department. He
aspires to one day become a
skilled computer networker.
Recent graduate Aaron Jordan
represented Voorhees College as a
chief information officer in a rigor-
ous internship program with the
Department of Energy and the Na-
tional Nuclear Security Admini-
stration (NNSA).
Jordan, a native of Stone Moun-
tain, Ga., graduated in May 2008
from Voorhees as a computer sci-
ence major.
While reflecting on the six-week
experience, Jordan said, “The
work was really good because it
forced me to apply what I learned
while at Voorhees.”
As a second-year participant,
Jordan said that he was excited to
return to the Savannah River Site
in Aiken, S.C. to get more hands-
on experience after graduation.
Aaron Jordan completes internship, now employed
at Voorhees in the Information Technology department
2008 Alumnus Aaron Jordan
Voorhees College is looking for all alumni! If you have relocated or lost your connection with the Voorhees family, please provide
all the information below. Voorhees looks forward to reconnecting with you!
MAIDEN NAME: ________________________________________________
NAME: ________________________________________________
GRADUATION YEAR: _____________________
ADDRESS: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS: ________________________________________________
PHONE: (HOME) _____________________
(CELL) _____________________
Please mail to the Office of Alumni Relations ~ P.O. Box 678 ~ Denmark, S.C. 29042
If you wish to share any news
or updates with Voorhees to be
published in The Voorhees
Voice, please contact Dorothy
Patterson, director of alumni
relations, at (803) 780-1192 or
Let your VOICE be heard!
25 THE VOORHEES VOICE
2008-2009 Men’s Basketball Schedule
DATE TEAM TIME LOCATION
TBA Knoxville College 5:30 p.m. Knoxville, Tenn.
January 15 Life University 7:30 p.m. Marietta, Ga.
January 19 Mountain State
University
7 p.m. Bleckley, W.Va.
January 21 Claflin University 7 p.m. Orangeburg, S.C.
January 22 Fisk University 7 p.m. Denmark, S.C.
January 24 Morris College 4 p.m. Sumter, S.C.
January 26 Roanoke Bible
College
8 p.m. Elizabeth City, N.C.
February 3 Allen University 7:30 p.m. Denmark, S.C.
February 4 Mountain State
University
7:30 p.m. Denmark, S.C.
February 10 Life University 8 p.m. Denmark, S.C.
February 12 Fisk University 7:30 p.m. Nashville, Tenn.
February 16 Concordia College 7:30 p.m. Denmark, S.C.
February 17 Morris College 7:30 p.m. Denmark, S.C.
February 19 Roanoke Bible
College
7:30 p.m. Denmark, S.C.
February 21 Concordia College 7:30 p.m. Selma, Ala.
February 23 Talladega College 7:30 p.m. Talladega, Ala.
February 25 Allen University 8 p.m. Columbia, S.C.
February 28 Talladega College 4 p.m. Denmark, S.C.
March 6-8 NAIA Independent
Tournament
TBA Orangeburg, S.C.
March 18-24 NAIA National
Tournament
TBA Kansas City, Mo.
26 FALL 2008
2008-2009 Women’s Basketball Schedule
DATE TEAM TIME LOCATION
January 22 Fisk University 5:30 p.m. Denmark, S.C.
January 24 Morris College 2 p.m. Sumter, S.C.
January 26 Roanoke Bible
College
6 p.m. Elizabeth City, N.C.
February 3 Allen University 5:30 p.m. Denmark, S.C.
February 10 Warren Wilson
College
6 p.m. Denmark, S.C.
February 12 Fisk University 5:30 p.m. Nashville, Tenn.
February 13 Brescia University
(NAIA Independent
Classic)
7 p.m. (cst) Owensboro, Ky.
February 14 Park University
(NAIA Independent
Classic)
1 p.m. (cst) Owensboro, Ky.
February 17 Morris College 5:30 p.m. Denmark, S.C.
February 19 Roanoke Bible
College
5:30 p.m. Denmark, S.C.
February 21 Concordia College 5:30 p.m. Selma, Ala.
February 23 Talladega College 5:30 p.m. Talladega, Ala.
February 25 Allen University 6 p.m. Columbia, S.C.
February 28 Talladega College 2 p.m. Denmark, S.C.
March 6-8 NAIA Independent
Tournament
TBA Orangeburg, S.C.
27 THE VOORHEES VOICE
“It’s a Family Affair”
The Voorhees College family thanks all alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends
for making Homecoming 2008 a great success! Please join us again for upcoming events.
Voorhees College Division of Institutional Advancement
P.O. Box 678
Denmark, SC 29042
Non-Profit
Organization
PAID
Permit #28
Denmark, SC
29042