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Voorhees University awards its first ever master’s level degrees during Commencement May 6

Birmingham, Alabama’s mayor, the Honorable Randall Woodfin
The Honorable Randall Woodfin
Reverend Gregory Myles Williams

Seventy-seven students will graduate from Voorhees University during commencement exercises set for Saturday, May 6th in the Leonard E. Dawson Health & Human Resources Center. Included among the graduates are seven students who will receive the first ever graduate degrees offered by the university. They will receive the Master of Education Degree in teaching and learning.

Birmingham, Alabama’s mayor, the Honorable Randall Woodfin, will deliver the commencement address at 11:00 a.m. A rising star in the Democratic Party, Woodfin is the youngest elected mayor of Birmingham in over 120 years. His mayoral focus has been to revitalize the city’s ninety-nine neighborhoods by fostering a climate of economic opportunity for all residents and leveraging public-private partnerships to improve the quality of life. He is currently serving his second term as the city’s CEO.

Voorhees University President Ronnie Hopkins lauds this year’s commencement exercises as both historic and groundbreaking. “We are excited that our first cohort of graduate students receiving degrees will be able to return to their communities better equipped to shape and mold the young minds in their classrooms,” he said. “It is gratifying to know that all our graduates, at both the baccalaureate and master’s levels, are entering their next level of excellence in pursuit of their personal and professional endeavors,” he added.

University officials also announced that noted pastor, evangelist, theologian, and community activist, Reverend Gregory Myles Williams will serve as keynote messenger for the Baccalaureate/Hooding Ceremony, which will be held at 6:00 p.m., Friday, May 5th, in the university’s St. Philip’s Chapel. Williams is pastor of the Power of Good News Community CME Church in Lithonia, Georgia.

The Class of 1973 will be celebrating their 50th anniversary class reunion at both events.

About Voorhees University:  Founded in 1897 by Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, Voorhees University is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the Episcopal Church and the United Negro College Fund. Driven by a mission to cultivate well-rounded graduates who integrate intellect and faith, the university emphasizes lifelong learning, healthy living, societal betterment, and a strong belief in God. Voorhees University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. More details are available at the Voorhees website (www.voorhees.edu). Questions about the accreditation of Voorhees University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org)

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