News
Voorhees president receives honorary doctorate degree from Sewanee
October 14, 2009
President Cleveland L. Sellers, Jr. was recently awarded an honorary Doctor of Civil Law from Sewanee: The University of the South, which is located in Sewanee, Tenn.
During the Founder’s Day Convocation at Sewanee on October 13, where Jim Lehrer, executive editor and anchor of public television’s award-winning nightly news program NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, gave the address, Sellers, along with two other recipients, received an honorary degree. The other two awardees were Dr. Bonnie Anderson, who is the second woman to serve as president of the House of Deputies of the Episcopal Church, and James M. Fail, who is a financial executive and philanthropist.
During Sellers’ first year as president of Voorhees College, he has led the institution to higher levels of success academically. Voorhees has been recognized nationally for its first-ever debate team, which made history by being one of only two Historically Black Colleges and Universities selected to participate in the first Inauguration Debate Series, which was held Jan. 19 at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. The Inauguration Debate Series was one of the many events surrounding the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama.
During the 2008-2009 academic year, Voorhees was recognized in South Carolina by the Commission on Higher Education. Voorhees College was the only HBCU to receive the 2008-2009 Service Learning Award. Each year, the Commission recognizes exemplary academic service learning programs of public and private four-year and two-year colleges and universities. Participating in the independent college category, Voorhees College received the award for its Student Volunteer Income Tax Program directed by Dr. David Caslan, professor of accounting. This program provided tax services to senior citizens of the Bamberg County area free of charge.
Many local, state, and national leaders have also taken notice of Dr. Sellers’ dedication to education. In February 2009, Sellers was honored by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) for his commitment to education. He received the prestigious Legacy Award during UNCF’s annual conference. In addition, Diverse Magazine, which is a magazine that covers topics in higher education, highlighted Dr. Sellers’ achievements in education and civil rights in its April 2009 issue.
For more information, contact Teesa Brunson, director of communications, at 803-780-1194 or tbrunson@voorhees.edu.
About Voorhees College
Voorhees College is a private, coeducational institution 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. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Voorhees College. Voorhees is fully committed to its mission to meet the highest standards for educating the minds, hearts and spirits of young men and women.