Dr. Willie Todd, President & CEO – Denmark Technical College
Last week Denmark Technical College and Voorhees University united for the third annual Operation Olive Branch ceremony, marking the start of the 2024-2025 academic year. On August 21, the institutions welcomed over 300 new and transfer students, continuing the tradition of unity and collaboration that has defined this initiative since its inception in 2022.
Operation Olive Branch, a unity enterprise championed by the presidents of both institutions, aims to enhance the college experience for new and transfer students through a shared commitment to integrity, inclusion, respect and a sense of family. The day-long event began with a symbolic procession from Voorhees University to Denmark Technical College, followed by a formal program and a series of special sessions designed to engage and inspire the students.
“Operation Olive Branch is a testament to the deep, shared history between our two campuses. As HBCUs in rural South Carolina, we have a profound responsibility to not only educate our students academically but to empower them socially. This program encapsulates that mission in a unique, meaningful, and impactful way while allowing opportunities for the two neighboring HBCUs to support one another,” said Willie L. Todd Jr., Ph.D., president and CEO of Denmark Technical College.
“Denmark Technical College and Voorhees University are uniquely positioned to collaborate, and Operation Olive Branch is an exemplary way to demonstrate the power of unity to our students,” added Ronnie Hopkins, Ph.D., president and CEO of Voorhees University. “Our partnership allows us to combine resources and campus cultures to elevate our students to new heights of academic and personal excellence,”
During the ceremony, students took the unity oath, a pledge symbolizing their commitment to the values of integrity, inclusion and respect. The program also included sessions that addressed poignant topics from both male and female perspectives, ensuring a comprehensive approach to their social and emotional development.
The event culminated with a celebratory procession to the Voorhees Pecan Grove, where students enjoyed a cookout featuring food, games, music and activities designed to foster a sense of community and belonging.
“Our students are embarking on a new chapter in their lives, often away from home for the first time. Operation Olive Branch provides them with a sense of family and belonging that extends beyond the classroom, offering support for their academic and personal growth in a nurturing environment,” noted Hopkins.
Todd added, “This program not only unites our campuses but also prepares our students to become leaders and agents of social change within their communities. We are excited to see the continued impact of Operation Olive Branch in Denmark and beyond.”
Inspired by a similar program at the Atlanta University Center, Operation Olive Branch continues to thrive, building on the success of its contemporaries and setting the stage for another year of collaborative excellence between Denmark Technical College and Voorhees University.
