Denmark, S.C. – Voorhees University will hold its 129th Opening Convocation on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the Leonard E. Dawson Health and Human Resources Center, 5573 Voorhees Rd., Denmark, SC. This annual ceremony marks the official beginning of the 2025–2026 academic year, uniting students, faculty, and staff in celebration of tradition, scholarship, and community.
The University is honored to welcome The Reverend Cecil Andrew Duffie, Ph.D., Dean of the Chapel of Tuskegee University, as the featured convocation speaker. Dr. Duffie is a nationally respected leader in higher education ministry and one of the youngest executive officers of collegiate religious and spiritual life.
Known for his passion for the intersection of education and faith, Dr. Duffie has dedicated over 15 years to closing the achievement gap in diverse educational settings. His career includes teaching with Breakthrough Collaborative, the Children’s Defense Fund’s Freedom School, and serving as a Teach for America Corps member in Miami-Dade County—the fourth-largest public school district in the nation.
Before joining Tuskegee, Dr. Duffie served as Dean of the Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel at Wiley University, where he raised significant funding, launched the Wiley University Day of Service, and established the Alternative Spring Break program. He also held the role of inaugural Assistant Dean of Religious Life at Howard University’s Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, where he played a key role in organizing the first Black Interfaith Conference and Sankofa | A National Gathering of Black Chaplains. He now serves as President of this national body.
Dr. Duffie’s leadership extends to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he has served as a national committee chairman, as well as to nonprofit and professional organizations, including the Association for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Life in Higher Education. His research focuses on spiritual formation and the role of Black chaplaincy in higher education.
“Convocation is one of our most cherished traditions at Voorhees,” said Voorhees President, Ronnie Hopkins. “We look forward to Dr. Duffie inspiring our students, faculty, and staff as we begin a new academic year rooted in excellence, faith, and service.”
The convocation ceremony is free and open to the public.
Voorhees University invites the community to join in this historic occasion as it launches another year of academic achievement, leadership, and service.