Voorhees holds its annual Legacy Dinner

August 19, 2016

Voorhees College recently held its legacy dinner for the class of 2020.

The purpose of the legacy dinner is to introduce the incoming scholars to faculty, staff and student leaders of the institution as well as to motivate them to excel while at Voorhees.  

The dinner featured keynote speaker Colletta Orr, a trained cancer research scientist and 2002 graduate of Voorhees College.   Her grandmother’s cancer diagnosis, prior to Orr starting Voorhees, led her to major in biology and into the field of cancer research. 

Orr stresses the importance of being proactive when it comes to breast and ovarian cancers.  Her company, Colletta Orr & Associates, has partnerships with major hospitals throughout the United States to educate women about breast and ovarian cancers and the resources available to them.   

An active member of the Voorhees College Washington D.C. Metropolitan Alumni Chapter, Orr also serves as the sergeant-at-arms for the Washington Inter Alumni Council (WIAC) of the UNCF (United Negro College Fund). 

She urged the freshmen to embrace their opportunities while at Voorhees but to also network with alumni whenever possible.    

“Many students overlook the vast network of readily available free resources that Voorhees College has in place such as the writing center, labs, library and the career center,” Orr said.  “Going to class alone will not be enough, and it is important for students to get on and off campus mentors that will guide them through their college career.”

Dr. W. Franklin Evans, the institution’s ninth president, concluded the program with a charge to the class of 2020 to be attentive to who they meet along the way because some of those same people may be key in the future. Evans also emphasized the importance of seizing the opportunity to earn a quality education in order to become highly skilled professionals in a career-driven society.

A private, coeducational institution, Voorhees College is affiliated with the Episcopal Church and the United Negro College Fund. From its founding in 1897, Voorhees has evolved into a leading four-year liberal arts college. Voorhees College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the baccalaureate degree.

For more information, contact Megan Freeman, director of communications, at 803-780-1191 or at mfreeman@voorhees.edu.