Voorhees College will host its 2014 new student orientation for the Class of 2018 Aug. 3-10. The theme for this year's orientation is "Making a Smooth Transition." The major focus of new student orientation is to help the incoming freshman class successfully adapt to the collegiate environment.

President Cleveland L. Sellers, Jr. will officially welcome the incoming freshman class on Sunday, Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. in Massachusetts Hall. Following President Sellers' welcome, all freshmen and parents are invited to attend the President's Welcome Cookout from 4-6 p.m. in Pecan Grove.

Additional activities during orientation week include loan counseling, housing information session, placement testing, academic advising, legacy dinner, game night and a fashion show and talent show.

The schedule will culminate with the Annual Candlelight and Matriculation Service on Sunday, Aug. 6 in St. Philip's Episcopal Chapel. Ladies are asked to wear black or white dresses, and men are asked to wear white shirts with a tie and black slacks. Following the matriculation service, a spaghetti social will be held outside the student center.

Classes for all students will begin Monday, Aug. 11. For additional information on orientation, contact Wendy Hyland at 803-780-1271 or at [email protected].  Click HERE to view the 2014 new student orientation schedule.

VC New Student Welcome video Summer 2014

The alumni highlight for July is Steven Barge, a 2013 graduate. Barge is currently employed as an account manager I at AT&T in Atlanta, Ga.

In his role as account manager I at AT&T, Barge is responsible for revenue generation/value creation, base management, market development and customer relationship building activities for 20 to 100 small to medium corporate accounts with high risk potential that requires premise management.

A native of Greenville, S.C., Barge received a bachelor's degree in accounting with a concentration in finance. While at Voorhees, he actively participated in numerous campus organizations such as Pre-Alumni Council, White Rose Social Club and Student Support Services Program. He also became a member of the Epsilon Omega Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

Barge said he is thankful for the connections and knowledge he acquired at Voorhees because it prepared him to be a leader in the professional world.

"I encourage current students to take advantage of each opportunity and network; you are only as valuable as you market yourself." 

Barge's future plans are to further his education by pursuing a Master of Business Administration in global operations and supply chain management.

Mitchell on board as Voorhees' new head men's basketball coach

Voorhees College has recently hired Derrick Mitchell as the new head men's basketball coach.

Prior to coming to Voorhees, Mitchell served as assistant coach of the women's basketball team at Division II Southern Arkansas University. While at Southern Arkansas University (SAU), he assisted the team in reaching the conference tournament for the first time since 2006-2007 season. Just a year removed from a 0-25 season, with Mitchell's assistance, the team won more games (12) than the previous three seasons combined.

Before his appointment at SAU, Mitchell was a middle school coach at R.B. Hudson High School in Selma, Ala. While there, Mitchell had a record of 25-2 in two seasons as well as winning two championships.
Mitchell also previously served as assistant coach at Wallace Community College in Selma, Ala. In that role, he served as recruiting coordinator and worked specifically with the team guards.

Mitchell earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Tougaloo College in 2002. He later received a master's degree in coaching and sports studies from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Ala. in 2009. He is engaged to QuShawanda Fields of Flint, Mich.

Mitchell said he looks forward to this new challenge. "I would like to bring more awareness to the men's basketball program at Voorhees and would like the program to be known not just regionally but nationally," Mitchell said.

"I'm also excited about being able to lead young men and showing them that through hard work, dedication and faith in God, they can achieve all of their dreams."

Did you know...quick bits of news and knowledge about Voorhees College

- Voorhees College has a presence on various social media outlets to reach current students, alumni, supporters and potential students.  Most recently, Voorhees joined Instagram, the most used photo-based social media app.  Connect to VC on all the sites/apps below!