DENMARK, S.C. (courtesy thetandd.com) — Voorhees College President Dr. W. Franklin Evans encourages students to take the time to build the vest versions of themselves while at Voorhees. He was the keynote speaker at the college’s 123rd opening fall convocation. He spoke on the theme “There is no place like home.”
“Some people feel home is where the heart is, home is where you begin, or home is a feeling. No matter your definition of home, always be supportive of home,” Evans said.
He added Voorhees College is home and there are three rules students should follow at home.
The first rule is to appreciate home.
“God predestined our lives and no student is here at Voorhees by mistake. While you are here and once you graduate, you should appreciate the resources, time, and experiences of home,” Evans offered.
Evans explained there will be times family members disagree or have issues at home.
“Voorhees is a family. Students, you all are here to get a quality education to be prepared for the professional world. Even when you have completed your time here, you will always have family back at home,” Evans said.
The second rule is to value relationships with others.
“Students, I encourage you to build bonds and work on yourself. Iron sharpens iron, so in order to be your best, you must surround yourself with the best,” Evans said.
Evans said many of the relationships students will establish in college will last a lifetime.
“Strengthen positive relationships but be careful of those disguised as positive. It may appear they are cheering for you, but they are really trying to throw you off your path,” Evans added.
The third rule is to respect yourself.
“Home allows you to respect who you are and whose you are. God made each of you unique and nobody else can be you and you cannot be anybody else. I challenge all of you to operate with respect as the young professional you are,” Evans said.
“This is Voorhees College, there is no place like home. Figure out where you are going, but never forget home is where you came from,” he said.