Voorhees College News April 28, 2015 Two Voorhees graduates to be commissioned during commencement convocation During the upcoming commencement convocation at Voorhees College on Saturday, May 9 at 11 a.m., two graduates will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. Jamar Smalls, a native of Denmark, S.C., enlisted and served in the South Carolina National Guard throughout his college career. He will be commissioned into the Army Reserves and serve in the Transportation Corps. Following graduation, where he will receive a bachelor's degree in health and recreation, Smalls will travel to Fort Eustis, Va. to complete the Basic Officer Leaders Course (BOLC). He will then return to Orangeburg for his first assignment at the 414th Transportation Company. "This journey that I chose to take will definitely be one of gratitude and learning that will develop me into an even more successful person as I protect and serve my country," Smalls said. "Not only am I excited, but it is truly a blessing to make it to the ranks of a commissioned officer in the United States Army." As Smalls talked about his future career in the military, he said his first goal is to be the best officer possible. "My first goal is to be best officer I can be to my soldiers and prove to myself that there is no limit to how successful I can truly be. Another important goal is to always take care of my soldiers. I have the nation's sons and daughters in my hands and as a leader, it is my duty to mentor, develop, and protect them." Second Lieutenant Iesha Fairley is a native of Meridian, Miss. As a student and ROTC Cadet, she gained a breath of knowledge and expanded her leadership capabilities. Assessed into the Ordnance branch of the U.S. Army, Fairley will travel to Fort Lee, Va. this August, where she will be trained in her specific field. She will be assigned to the 175th Support Maintenance Company in Fort Jackson, S.C. While a student at Voorhees, Fairley was very active student on the campus, where she joined Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., Student Support Services Program and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. As an honor graduate, Fairley will be receiving a bachelor's degree in sociology. "I would like to encourage the current ROTC students to never give up and hang in there," Fairley said. "Just as Voorhees' ROTC program has prepared me by giving me the skills and courage to push further and beyond, the program will do the same for you." The commencement convocation for Voorhees is open to the public. The speaker will be actor Danny Glover. For additional information, contact Teesa Brunson, communications director, at 803-780-1194 or at tbrunson@voorhees.edu. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.