Denmark, SC – Voorhees University president Dr. Ronnie Hopkins has been appointed president of the Association of Episcopal Colleges (AEC). A subsidiary of the Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion, AEC consists of eight colleges and universities in the United States and abroad that are affiliated with the Episcopal Church.
“I am honored to serve at the helm of the association of our beloved Episcopal institutions in the United States and beyond,” Hopkins said. The president of one of only two HBCUs affiliated with the Episcopal Church is looking forward to working with other presidents of the member institutions. “I seek to work with my presidential colleagues to advance the Episcopal mission and approach to provide experiences that offer students an understanding of religion and faith, in addition to a lens through which to view the world,” he added.
In addition to Voorhees University, the member institutions of AEC are: Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY; Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY; Kenyon College, Gambier, OH; St. Augustine College, Chicago, IL; Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee, TN; Universitie’ Episcopale d’Haiti, Port-au-Prince, Haiti; St. Augustine’s University, Raleigh, NC; and Cuttington University in Phebe, Liberia, where Voorhees University alumna, Dr. Romelle Horton is president. While each of the institutions has its unique mission, they all work together to instill the values and morals of the Episcopal Church. “I will foster and embrace the (Episcopal) Church’s values of inclusion, equity and service,” Hopkins added.
Hopkins’s presidency, which began in April, was blessed by encouraging advice offered by the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, Michael Curry, who reminded the association membership to articulate bold and moral positions by confronting the presence of narrow-minded and bigoted realities. “The mission is to help to participate in the resurrection of the soul of this nation, a world where human love can flourish,” he said.
