Denmark, S.C. — Voorhees College recently received a National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Initiation Award totaling approximately $200,000 to develop a comprehensive way of detecting the different types of arsenic in natural and human-impacted environments.

Arsenic is a naturally-occurring compound that can be toxic or non-toxic depending on the form. The purpose of this research will be to analyze the different forms of arsenic, particularly those in environments with high-sulfide levels.

Research initiation awards provide support for junior and mid-career faculty at HBCUs who are building new research program or redirecting and rebuilding existing programs.

“This project will enhance the research experience and training of our students at Voorhees,” said Dr. Jianye Zhang, assistant professor of chemistry and environmental science at Voorhees.

“The grant will also strengthen the environmental science program at Voorhees and expand the visibility of the program.”

Dr. Zhang is the principal investigator for the grant. He has been teaching at Voorhees since 2011. Dr. Zhang obtained a doctorate degree in environmental engineering and sciences from the University of Florida. He also received master’s degrees in organic chemistry and physical chemistry from the University of Florida and Peking University. He completed his undergraduate education at Nanjing University, one of the top five universities in China.

For more information, contact Teesa Brunson, communications director, at 803-780-1194 or at tbrunson@voorhees.edu.

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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. Additional information about Voorhees College can be found on the Web site at www.voorhees.edu.

SUMTER, SC – David R. Magnin, associate professor of chemistry, was recently inducted into a scientific Hall of Fame and became part of the newest Heroes of Chemistry honorees.   Honorees are nominated in recognition of their talent, creativity, and innovation.  Magnin is one of seven scientists who comprised the Bristol-Myers Squibb team in the development of Juxtapid (Lomitapide), a drug used to treat patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, a rare genetic disease that produces severely high cholesterol levels.

“I recognized at the time I was working on a very special project,” Magnin said of the years of research and development.  “It was a rare privilege to be in the right place, at the right time, and to be surrounded by great individuals.”

Each year, the award is bestowed by the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world’s largest scientific society.  Previous Heroes have excelled at prominent international corporations and have developed numerous commercial products that demonstrate strong financial performance.  The commercial success of their products in the marketplace is an important criterion for this honor because the ACS recognizes that good business results follow good science.

“We consider it an asset to have Dr. Magnin as a member of the college’s faculty,” said college president, Luns C. Richardson.  “Our students are assured to benefit from his global contribution and outstanding scholarship.”

A recognition ceremony was held during ACS’ 248^th National Meeting and Exposition in San Francisco, CA on last month.

Denmark, S.C. — Voorhees College has hired Dr. Pamela Martin Wilson as its new executive vice president/vice president of academic and student affairs.

Dr. Wilson has more than two decades of experience in higher education. She comes to Voorhees from her most recent position as president of Allen University.

Additional positions held by Dr. Wilson at Allen University include executive vice president, associate vice president of academic and student affairs and chair of the Division of Humanities and Social Science.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Wilson has joined Voorhees College,” said President Cleveland L. Sellers, Jr. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in higher education that will be beneficial for our faculty, staff and students.”

Dr. Wilson’s Voorhees ties are strong as she graduated from the institution in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English communications.

Dr. Wilson said she is excited about returning to her alma mater and she looks forward to working with President Sellers.

“Some of the excitement of this position is the work itself.  I have worked in higher education for 21 years in many capacities, from the lowest level to the top level, and I am always excited to see programs and ideas at work.  I’m excited to be working with such a multi-faceted and multi-talented group of people,” Wilson said.

She added, “I’m probably most excited to be back at my alma mater, playing a role in giving it something it gave to me a long time ago— enthusiasm and continued success.  Finally, I’m excited to be working under the presidential leadership of my long-time mentor, Dr. Cleveland L. Sellers, Jr.”

Dr. Wilson said future goals at Voorhees are to provide fundamental support to students, professional support and advocacy for faculty and staff, and collaboration with the administration.

“Additionally, I hope to encourage alumni and other stakeholders to invest in Voorhees through finances, recruitment, volunteerism and engagement. Primarily, I want to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the academic and student affairs unit of the college.”

Dr. Wilson has also taught at various institutions including Georgia Southern University, Virginia State University, Ohio State University, Benedict College and Indiana State University.

After graduating from Voorhees, Dr. Wilson later received a Master of Arts degree in English from Indiana State University and a doctorate degree in rhetoric and composition with an emphasis in business and administrative communication from Ohio State University. She also received a certificate of completion from the Harvard Seminar for New University Presidents at the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University.

In her new role at Voorhees, Dr. Wilson hopes to build a sense of togetherness among the administration, faculty, staff and students.

“My biggest challenge will be adjusting to the workplace culture of Voorhees College while simultaneously building teams and avoiding the semblance of alienation while we all work together in advancing the vision and mission of the college.”

For more information, contact Teesa Brunson, communications director, at 803-780-1194 or at tbrunson@voorhees.edu.

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. Additional information about Voorhees College can be found on the Web site at www.voorhees.edu.

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Members of Southern Wesleyan University admissions staff grimace as they are drenched by more than a hundred gallons of ice water, part of the Ice Bucket Challenge. When the department was challenged, they took things up a notch with a little help from the university’s grounds crew. In the Ice Bucket Challenge, which has gone viral on social media, people are taking videos of ice water being dumped on their heads, then posting in social media and challenging friends to do the same within 24 hours or make a donation.

The challenge is raising awareness and support for the ALS Association in their fight against the illness known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” Pictured from left (front) are Jared Trudel, admissions counselor; Donna Wood, office manager; Stephanie Rodriguez, admissions counselor; (back) Melissa Vess, assistant director of admissions; Amanda Young, director of admissions; and Emily Bloxdorf, admissions counselor. Operating the front-end loader is Byron Shirley, landscape manager.

As of Aug. 21, the ALS Association raised more than $40 million in overall donations. Details can be found on alsa.org.

Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. For details about degree programs, go online to swu.edu.