Denmark Technical College recently hosted an unforgettable homecoming week, uniting students, alumni, faculty and community members for a series of exciting and meaningful events. The theme, “Not Like Us,” inspired by Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-winning hit, celebrated Panther Pride and the unwavering spirit of the Denmark Tech community.
The festivities began with a worship service led by Pastor Craig Cash of Kingdom Fellowship Ministries in Charleston, South Carolina, setting a reflective and uplifting tone for the week. The celebration shifted into full swing with a western themed hair and fashion show, featuring beauty industry experts who demonstrated styling techniques to an engaged crowd of students and faculty followed by a trail ride and bonfire. A midweek pep rally to support the men’s and women’s basketball teams ahead of their homecoming games amped up the energy and gave students a fun outlet to take a break from studies.
A special convocation ceremony featured distinguished alumna Deloris Frazier, who inspired the audience with a powerful message of resilience and triumph over adversity. During her speech, Frazier announced a generous $25,000 donation to fund student scholarships. The week also featured a lively lip sync battle and the annual alumni teach-in, where graduates from across the country returned to share their experiences with current students.
On Friday evening, DTC hosted the 8th annual President’s Legacy Scholarship Gala, with this year’s theme, “Masquerade of Dreams: Hope for Scholars,” raising tens of thousands of dollars for student scholarships. At the climax of the evening, alumnus A. Ronald Sanders announced a remarkable $100,000 donation for an endowed scholarship fund for engineering students.
The excitement continued on Saturday with the crowning jewel of the week, the homecoming tailgate and basketball games. The DTC women’s basketball team gave it their all but fell to East Georgia State 68-58, while the men’s team delivered a commanding performance, defeating Franklin Prep 116-97.
Throughout the week, fundraising efforts were celebrated, culminating in the crowning of the 2024 Homecoming Fundraising Champions. Marion Blakely of the Upstate Chapter and Stella M. Drayton of the Georgetown Chapter tied for second runner-up, while Verlios Bolen McCreary from the Metro DC Chapter earned first runner-up honors. The coveted first-place title was posthumously awarded to Ellis Nelson of the Quad Chapter for his chapter’s exceptional fundraising efforts.
Students Raheem Hodges and Brianna Fletcher were crowned Homecoming King and Queen during the halftime ceremony, marking a memorable moment for all in attendance.
“Homecoming at DTC is always special, but this year was next level. The energy, the love from alumni and the support from the community made it an unforgettable experience. It’s a great time to be a Panther,” said Jake Wight, basketball player and Mister Denmark Technical College.
“Homecoming is more than just a celebration. It’s an opportunity for us to honor our rich history, engage with our community and inspire the next generation of leaders. This year’s theme, ‘Not Like Us,’ perfectly captured the essence of DTC, our resilience, excellence, and unmatched Panther pride and spirit,” added Dr. Willie L. Todd Jr., President and CEO of Denmark Technical College.
