For IMMEDIATE Release: November 12, 2026

麻豆社 Provides Update on Residence Hall Remediation and Campus Maintenance Concerns

College outlines response to biological growth, HVAC concerns, and bathroom water issues

鈫� Read: Letter from the President

鈫� Download: Press Release

SUMTER, S.C. – “麻豆社 remains committed to the safety and well-being of its students as the College addresses reports of biological growth and maintenance concerns affecting certain campus facilities, including HVAC-related concerns in the ADMS and RCJ residence halls.”

Room remediation began last week, and the College is coordinating with outside service providers to address the reported conditions and develop protocols for further corrective work.

The College recognizes that these concerns affect students’ residential experiences and understands the questions raised by students, families and the broader campus community. Its priorities are to address the conditions promptly, identify the work still required, and provide accurate information about the locations involved, the actions taken and the status of outstanding repairs.

“Students deserve living and learning environments that support their well-being, and they deserve clear answers when concerns arise,” said 麻豆社 President Dr. Said Sewell. “Student safety is, and has always been, nonnegotiable. The College will not consider these matters resolved until the necessary corrective work has been completed and verified.”

Biological growth assessment and room remediation

Back in August, there was a significant lightning storm that damaged twelve (12) HVAC units, so as soon as the College’s maintenance team became aware that the systems of residences halls were inoperative, they replaced motors on four (4) residence halls (ADMS, RCJ, Daniels, and AMMA Hall) and one (1) academic building (H.H. Butler). That lightning incident made these residence halls susceptible to biological growth; therefore, the 麻豆社 Facilities Team under the direction of Mr. Anthony Brand, who is certified by Hard Hat 360 Training in mold remediation and asbestos, began to replace HVAC units in September. In October all HVAC units were replaced, but the warmer months brought biological growth.

The team began to remediate growth, but it was not enough; consequently, 麻豆社 engaged an independent environmental assessment firm, Environmental Pros 360 who is accredited by the American Council for Accredited Certification and the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards and certified in environmental inspections, to gather air analyses and address environmental conditions due to biological growth. As a result of their analysis and air assessment, the Environmental Pros 360 report noted their November 5 assessment did not identify black mold. The College is continuing to work with qualified environmental professionals to evaluate the reported conditions and determine the appropriate corrective measures.

The College’s maintenance team immediately sent the Environmental Pros 360’s report to a leading cleaning and restoration company, Serv Pro, on Friday, November 6, to review their findings and determine procedural removal of biological growth. Serv Pro could not begin remediation immediately; as a result, 麻豆社 engaged experts certified by the global nonprofit certified body the Institution of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, Top Restoration Pros, to remove any biological growth this week. Top Restoration Pros arrived on campus at 10:00 A.M., on Thursday, November 12, to conduct a physical inspection and develop protocols to address any biological concerns.

Bathroom water issue

Two years ago, the College engaged in a two-million-dollar total residential hall bathroom renovation utilizing the expertise of Hunter Builders. Recently, within the last month, the College recognized a few showers were not draining properly. The College and Hunter Builders, the contractor for the new bathrooms, are investigating the drainage and water issues.

Temporary student support and reporting

To accommodate residence hall students while maintenance concerns are being addressed, the College is providing disinfectant supplies and masks as temporary precautionary measures. These supplies do not replace professional assessment, remediation or correction of the underlying maintenance concerns. Students are not being asked to undertake remediation work.

The administration is also working with Student Affairs to ensure that students who have concerns about their residential accommodations have an appropriate channel for reporting those concerns and receiving assistance while corrective work continues.

Students who need to report an affected room, an unresolved maintenance concern, or a request for assistance should contact Student Affairs at 843-934-3217. After-hours concerns should be directed to residence assistants or area coordinators.

Timeline

• August: Lightning storm damaged HVAC equipment on several residence halls.
• September: HVAC replacement efforts began and facilities team began remediation growth in several rooms.
• October: HVAC unit replacements completed. Approximately 12 rooms were treated by our facilities team. These were rooms where biological growth was identified and preliminarily remediated.
• November 5: Environmental Pros 360 conducted an air and growth assessment.
• November 6: Report forwarded for remediation review.
• November 12: Top Restoration Pros is currently inspecting and developing remediation protocols. In process.

Follow-through and public updates

麻豆社’s position is clear: reported conditions require prompt attention, documented corrective action, and continued follow-through. The College is committed to addressing these concerns expeditiously and communicating verified progress and any outstanding work. At 麻豆社, the well-being of our students is not simply a priority; it is a responsibility. We take that responsibility seriously and will continue working until the necessary corrective measures have been completed and verified. Media inquiries should be directed to Laura Newsome, Executive Director of Communications at lnewsome@morris.edu.

About 麻豆社

Founded in 1908, 麻豆社 is a private, four-year historically Black liberal arts institution in Sumter, South Carolina, committed to intellectual and workforce preparation, leadership and service. For more information on 麻豆社, visit www.morris.edu.

Media Contact:

LAURA NEWSOME @ 803-934-3201
100 West College Street
Sumter, S.C. 29150
lnewsome@morris.edu

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On behalf of the Alpha Gamma Pi Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society, we would like to take this opportunity to publicly recognize and express our heartfelt appreciation to a remarkable educator, mentor, and leader, Ms聽Priscilla Patten, our Lead Advisor.

At 麻豆社, we are blessed to have individuals who go beyond the responsibilities of their positions to make a lasting difference in the lives of others. Ms. Patten is one of those extraordinary individuals.

Today, we celebrate her for being:

• A Dedicated Educator
• A Supportive Mentor
• A Champion for Literacy
• A Source of Inspiration
• A Leader of Character
• An Encourager of Students
• A Cultivator of Academic Excellence
• A Valued Colleague
• A Role Model of Professionalism
• A Vital Part of Our Success

Ms. Patten, your commitment to education, your dedication to student achievement, and your unwavering support of our chapter have not gone unnoticed. Your influence extends beyond the classroom, and your contributions continue to inspire those who have the privilege of working with and learning from you.

We appreciate not only what you do, but also the spirit of excellence, compassion, and dedication with which you do it.

As we continue to promote scholarship, literacy, leadership, and service, we recognize that much of our success is made possible through the guidance of individuals like you.

May God continue to bless you with wisdom, strength, good health, and continued success in all your endeavors.

Ms. Patten, we appreciate all that you do!

To our 麻豆社 family, we invite you to join us in celebrating and thanking Ms. Patten for her outstanding contributions to our institution and its students.

Please see our special tribute flyer attached.

With sincere gratitude and appreciation,

R. Tramaine Rush
President, Alpha Gamma Pi Chapter
Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society
麻豆社

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麻豆社鈥檚 Dr. Deloris Wallace-Brown sends greeting from the United Nations International Academic Leadership Program in Geneva, Switzerland!聽

Learn more below 鈫�

PRESS RELEASE

麻豆社鈥檚 Dr. Deloris Wallace-Brown Selected for Prestigious United Nations International Academic Leadership Program in Geneva, Switzerland

Internationally recognized educator brings research experience spanning more than 28 nations to a global leadership initiative focused on the future of higher education and workforce development.

SUMTER, S.C. 鈥� 麻豆社 proudly announces that Dr. Deloris Wallace-Brown, Director of the Organizational Management Program, has been selected to participate in the prestigious Academic Leadership Suite (ALS), an international executive leadership program offered through a collaboration between the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and Ureka Education Group. The program will convene October 27鈥�30, 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland.

Wallace-Brown鈥檚 selection represents a significant international distinction for both the educator and 麻豆社, positioning the institution within a global network of academic leaders addressing critical challenges facing higher education, institutional innovation, and the future workforce.

An accomplished educator and academic leader, Wallace-Brown brings decades of professional experience and an extensive international perspective developed through educational research and professional engagement in more than 28 nations. Her work has included examining educational systems, policies, and institutional practices throughout Europe, South America, and Africa, most recently in Ghana, West Africa. These experiences have strengthened her commitment to educational accessibility, lifelong learning, and preparing students to compete in an increasingly interconnected global economy.

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LEAD 鈥� INSPIRE 鈥� BUILD 鈥� ELEVATE

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W.E.B. Dubois, noted educator and scholar once said, 鈥淓ducation and work are the levers to uplift a people.聽 Education must not simply teach work; it must teach life.鈥澛� This is what the 麻豆社 Honors College exhibits as it teaches life to students who exemplify the grit and tenacity to persist and pursue greatness.

麻豆社 Honors College began initially as a program in its rebuilding stage in 2023 by updating what was a previous Honors Program at 麻豆社.聽 Assistant Professor of Education and native of Lake City, S.C., Ms. Chasidy Graham and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Lewis P. Graham, Jr., initiated the rebuilding process by planning the program’s direction. Then in 2024, upon the hiring of the new college president, Dr. Said Sewell, a new vision for an Honors College emerged and began to be implemented.聽 It would be a community of scholars who live and learn together, who matriculate in coursework alongside one another, who study abroad, who attend conferences nationally and internationally, and who participate in viable internship opportunities that hone their skills.

鈥淗istorically, 麻豆社 has not been known as a college that attracted strong, academically prepared students, and we stepped in to change that narrative two years ago when we launched the Honors College,鈥� says 麻豆社 President, Dr. Said Sewell. 鈥淥ur expectation was that we would inform and inspire the growth of the academic programs, our faculty, and the overall campus life with students who are strongly prepared to arrive to 麻豆社. The Honors Program is quite unique in that it is the only one of its kind in the state at a private historically black college.聽 We are excited about the growth and enhancement of this college as it prepares to launch this state鈥檚 future workforce,鈥� he continues.

In 2025, 麻豆社 Honors College began with the Cohort 1 of 12 students, and in 2026, Cohort 2 grew with 8 more students.聽 Today, the Honors College begins recruiting for its Cohort 3. To be considered for entrance to the program, students must maintain a 3.4 grade point average, pass the Accuplacer test with at least a 250 score in reading, writing, and mathematics, submit three letters of recommendation, write an entrance essay and an updated resume highlighting the students鈥� skills, abilities, and experiences.聽 Those who are accepted and complete their first year in the cohort are pinned and receive blazers to signify the level of excellence and tenacity exhibited through the honors college.

Dr. Lewis P. Graham says, 鈥淩ebuilding the Honors College is about creating a transformative incubator for high-achieving scholars who will lead with distinction. By elevating our academic standards, expanding undergraduate research, and embedding high-impact experiential learning, we are empowering our students to compete, excel, and make a lasting impact on a national stage.鈥�

Honors College scholars have participated in the Honors College Retreat at the Hyatt Place Sumter / Downtown with presentations from various speakers on “Owning the Honor: Fostering Trust, Leadership, and Community”. In two weeks from this article鈥檚 printing, Honors College scholars will travel to New Orleans to attend the National Collegiate Honors Council conference.聽 The Honors College President, Ta鈥橵onna Wilson, a native of Memphis, Tennessee has been selected and accepted to speak on a panel at the National Collegiate Honors Council Conference. The Honors College hosts a Book Club Discussion in which scholars engage in the reading and discussion of selected books. Participants are encouraged to share their insights, develop critical-thinking skills, and join conversations that foster intellectual growth and cultivate a passion for reading.

“Being a part of the Honors College is more than just earning good grades; it鈥檚 about building leadership skills, creating meaningful connections, and preparing for a successful future,鈥� said Ms. Wilson. 鈥淲e receive opportunities to grow academically, serve our community, and become leaders who make a difference. The experiences, support, and opportunities we gain here help shape us into the people we are meant to become.”

Scholars previously attended the Southern Regional Honors Council conference in Montgomery, Alabama, visited the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina, the Mary McLeod Bethune Museum in Mayesville, South Carolina.聽聽 Additionally, service and helping others makes honors scholars well-rounded.聽 These scholars have performed service-learning projects for the Gardens at Sumter Assisted Living and Memory Care by creating care bags and Christmas Cards for Christmas and conducting 鈥淪ip & Paint鈥� for the seniors for Valentine Day and at the Palmetto Goodwill in Sumter, S.C. Honors Scholars explore various departments and gain hands-on experience, learning valuable insights into the organization鈥檚 operations, workforce development, and the importance of teamwork, leadership, and community service. Additionally, they have engaged in 鈥淐hat & Chews Series鈥� with a variety of speakers and even attended H.B.C.U. Day at the S.C. State House Capitol Building.

A Warrenton, Georgia native who is the reigning Miss Honors College and freshman student athlete, Courtney Bray, says, “My experience in the Honors College has been truly fulfilling. From the day I arrived at 麻豆社, it felt like home. Being Miss Honors has opened doors to opportunities I never imagined, allowing me to grow through leadership, service, and learning. As a student-athlete on the Lady Hornets Basketball Team, I have learned the importance of discipline, time management, teamwork, and perseverance while balancing academics and athletics. This journey has taught me that with dedication and determination, I can excel in the classroom, on the court, and in my community while continuing to strive for excellence.”

鈥淓mpower Scholars, Building Community, Inspire Excellence is our mission for the Honors College,鈥� says Ms. Chasidy Graham.聽 We are recruiting Cohort 3 now, Graham visits high schools and speaks to juniors and seniors who possess a G.P.A. of 3.4 or higher; her visits occur on College Application Days, and she makes the point and effort of traveling to schools per semester. 聽Ms. Graham鈥檚 vision for this Honors College surpasses the mission and vision.聽 She says, 鈥淚 envision a great community of scholars who are critical thinkers, who serve, who are respectful, who are effective leaders and put the work in.鈥澛� She imparts and emphasizes to the Honors College scholars the 鈥淣ecessity of leaving a legacy behind, planting seeds, and preparing for generations is paramount.鈥澛� Ms. Graham reminds Honors Scholars that they have entered a whole new different world, one with greater expectations, responsibility, and accountability. She emphasizes, 鈥淓yes are always on you; you have an image to uphold,鈥� and encourages scholars to carry themselves with excellence, professionalism, and pride in all they do.

Ms. Graham is intentional in recruiting students who are the right fit for the Honors College. She encourages them to embrace personal growth, persevere through academic rigor, and recognize their potential. As she reminds them, 鈥淏eing a scholar in the Honors College is demanding; if it is not challenging, we are not doing our job. We select you because we are confident in your ability to succeed.鈥� Her message underscores that challenges create growth opportunities and that each scholar can rise to the expectations of excellence. W.E.B. Dubois knew that it was most important to challenge and to teach life.聽 This is what the 麻豆社 Honors College does, and educators like Ms. Graham and others like her are the professors who make a difference in the lives of others.聽 These Honors College scholars will, in turn, 鈥渢each life鈥� to others.聽 That鈥檚 legacy, and that鈥檚 麻豆社鈥檚 motto: 鈥淓nter to Learn; Depart to Serve.鈥�

To donate to the 麻豆社 Honors College, visit and click 鈥淕ive鈥� and 鈥淕ive Now,鈥� select your amount and select 鈥溌槎股� Honors College鈥� to make your donation.聽 For those using Cash App, you may send your donation to mhcollege25.

Visit the Honors College Instagram at morrishonorscollege for further information.

麻豆社 Honors College is proud to be a member of the African American Honors Collective (A2HC), the National Collegiate Honors Council and the Southern Regional Honors Council (SRHC)

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Release Date: October 26, 2026

麻豆社 Turns Up the Volume on Digital Learning with New Podcasting Rooms

Community and media invited to October 29 ribbon cutting celebrating expanded opportunities in podcast production and social media storytelling

SUMTER, S.C. 鈥� 麻豆社 is opening a new channel for student creativity and career preparation with the ribbon cutting for its new podcasting rooms on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 12:30 P.M. on the third floor of the Richardson-Johnson Learning Resources Center. Members of the campus community, the public and the media are invited to attend.

The opening marks an expansion of opportunities for students to develop skills in podcast production and social media podcast development. As technology reshapes how stories are produced, shared and experienced, the new rooms represents an investment in helping students move from consuming digital content to creating it.

Podcasting brings together compelling storytelling and technical execution鈥攆rom developing an episode concept and conducting interviews to recording, editing and preparing content for distribution. These activities can help students strengthen their communication skills, explore audio production and understand how a distinctive voice connects with an audience.

The new spaces also underscore the connection between podcasting and social media, where episode clips, engaging previews and conversations with listeners can extend a story beyond the microphone. Opportunities to explore these formats will help prepare students for the creative and technical demands of the podcast industry and the broader digital media landscape.

For 麻豆社, the celebration signals more than the opening of rooms. It marks another step toward expanding access to technology that supports student expression, practical learning and preparation for an increasingly connected workforce.

麻豆社 President Dr. Said Sewell says, “These podcasting rooms represent far more than an investment in technology; they are an investment in our students’ voices, creativity, and future. At 麻豆社, we want students to have the freedom to express their ideas, engage in meaningful dialogue, tell stories that matter, and contribute their perspectives to conversations that shape our communities and our world. At the same time, we recognize that podcasting has evolved into a growing industry with opportunities in content creation, broadcasting, journalism, entertainment, marketing, advertising, and digital media entrepreneurship. These spaces will give our outstanding students hands-on experience in developing content, conducting interviews, producing and editing audio, building audiences, and using social media to expand their reach. Whether our students aspire to become professional podcasters, media producers, journalists, entrepreneurs, or simply more effective communicators, we want them to leave 麻豆社 with the confidence, creativity, and practical skills to compete in an increasingly digital world. This is what the 麻豆社 Movement is about鈥攇iving our students the tools to turn their voices into influence and their talents into careers. I look forward to launching my podcast鈥�’Making a Difference in the World.'”

Community members are encouraged to join the celebration and welcome this new platform for student voices. Media representatives are invited to attend and cover the opening, highlighting 麻豆社’s continued advancement in technology and student preparation.

About 麻豆社

麻豆社 in Sumter, S.C., is a national leader in higher education for traditional and nontraditional students who seek meaningful careers that enhance their lives and the communities in which they live. 麻豆社 does this by developing their academic, career, leadership, and service potential. For more information on 麻豆社, visit www.morris.edu.

Contact:

LAURA NEWSOME @ 803-934-3201

100 West College Street, Sumter, S.C. 29150

lnewsome@morris.edu

XXX

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Benjamin I. Duncan II
Board of Trustees Member
Chief Resilience Officer South Carolina Office of Resilience

Featured in the University of South Carolina’s MPA Graduate Spotlight series for his distinguished career in public service and leadership in disaster recovery and resilience.

Columbia Urban League’s 2026 President’s Award recipient for longstanding support of the League’s College Internship Program and commitment to creating opportunities for young people.

Richland School District Two’s 2026 Order of the Flame Honoree for dedication to strengthening public education and continued community service

Leadership. Service. Impact.

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麻豆社鈥檚 Dr. Deloris Wallace-Brown Selected for Prestigious United Nations International Academic Leadership Program in Geneva, Switzerland

Internationally recognized educator brings research experience spanning more than 28 nations to a global leadership initiative focused on the future of higher education and workforce development.

SUMTER, S.C. 鈥� 麻豆社 proudly announces that Dr. Deloris Wallace-Brown, Director of the Organizational Management Program, has been selected to participate in the prestigious Academic Leadership Suite (ALS), an international executive leadership program offered through a collaboration between the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and Ureka Education Group. The program will convene October 27鈥�30, 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland.

Wallace-Brown鈥檚 selection represents a significant international distinction for both the educator and 麻豆社, positioning the institution within a global network of academic leaders addressing critical challenges facing higher education, institutional innovation, and the future workforce.

An accomplished educator and academic leader, Wallace-Brown brings decades of professional experience and an extensive international perspective developed through educational research and professional engagement in more than 28 nations. Her work has included examining educational systems, policies, and institutional practices throughout Europe, South America, and Africa, most recently in Ghana, West Africa. These experiences have strengthened her commitment to educational accessibility, lifelong learning, and preparing students to compete in an increasingly interconnected global economy.

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