[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 58 (Friday, April 1, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO VOORHEES COLLEGE ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY 
                              AND RENAMING

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                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 1, 2022

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a proud 
historically Black college, in South Carolina's 6th Congressional 
District, on the occasion on its 125th Founder's Day. Voorhees College 
has provided educational opportunities for young African Americans in 
South Carolina since 1897 and on April 7, 2022 will be renamed Voorhees 
University.
  Voorhees is the first HBCU founded by an African-American woman, 
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, under the name Denmark Industrial School on 
April 14, 1897. When Ms. Wright founded the school, at the young age of 
23, her vision was to provide a quality education to young men and 
women.
  Ms. Wright's vision for the school grew, and in 1902, it became 
Voorhees Industrial School, after attracting the financial support of 
New Jersey philanthropist Ralph Voorhees. Mr. Voorhees and his wife 
donated money for the purchase of 280 acres of land in Denmark, South 
Carolina to expand the campus. More support came in 1924, when the 
school came under the auspices of the American Church Institutes for 
Negroes, which was part of the Episcopal Church.
  In 1928, the name was changed to Voorhees Normal and Industrial 
School, reflecting its addition of a junior college. In 1946, the 
junior college became the first Black college in South Carolina 
accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 
December 1962, the institution became known as Voorhees College. The 
high school was closed, and, in 1967, Voorhees began granting 4-year 
degrees.
  The students on Voorhees College's campus, like many other 
historically Black institutions, became engaged in the 1960's civil 
rights activities. In 1969, students occupied the Wilkinson Hall 
offices of the mostly white administration to protest their failure to 
hire additional Black faculty and provide more scholarships to low-
income students from the Denmark community.
  The difference between this and other college protests was that, 
having seen the shooting of student protestors on the nearby South 
Carolina State College campus the previous year, the students armed 
themselves. Their actions drew national media attention. After two 
days, the South Carolina National Guard forced the students to end 
their protest. Many were arrested and suspended. Some received jail 
sentences of 18 months to two years. All of them went on to complete 
their degrees.
  Despite the tumultuous times, Voorhees College has always followed 
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright's vision for the school, ``to try to help my 
fellow man to help themselves, and if a way was not open for them, I 
must open it myself.'' It was in that spirit in December 2021, that the 
Southern Association of College and School Commission on Colleges 
approved Voorhees Master's degree program, setting in motion today's 
historic renaming to Voorhees University.
  Voorhees College, under the leadership of Dr. Ronnie Hopkins, the 
tenth President, continues to offer its students a quality, 
comprehensive, general education, coupled with professional education, 
in a value-centered liberal arts tradition. Its mission is, ``to 
produce highly qualified graduates who coalesce intellect and faith in 
pursuit of life-long learning, healthy living, the betterment of 
society, and an abiding faith in God.'' This mission is deeply imbedded 
in the hearts and minds of faculty, staff and students allowing 
students to combine intellect and faith as they broaden their minds and 
prepare for their futures.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in celebrating 
the 125th anniversary of Voorhees College and its new status as 
Voorhees University. May it continue to build upon the vision of its 
founder and serve as an exemplary example of higher education.

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