LeTavious Brown , Morris College- c/o 2010, Biology
Name : LeTavious Brown
HBCU : Morris College
Graduation Year : 2010
Major : Biology
Where are you from? Who introduced you to HBCUs?*
I was born and raised in Conway, South Carolina. I first heard about Morris College when we had a college workshop day at my high school. I expressed an interest in obtaining a degree in Biology so I could go on to Vet school and I was introduced to Dr. Maggie Glover, former Senator turned HBCU-UP director.
Sacred Swords is available now! Go purchase a copy! | Image Credit: LeTavious Brown
Why did you choose an HBCU over a pwi?*
I choose it (HBCU over a pwi) because of the promise of a family bond that wouldn’t be broken and the fact that I wouldn’t become a number lost in the masses of students. To this day that promise hasn’t been broken.
I decided to become a student once I weighed my options and Morris or MoCo as we call it seemed more like a good place to be.
What is the story of your "experience" at Your HBCU given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious institution?*
It’s been around for a century helping young men and woman move on to a greater stage in life with a staff that is here to help, and when I got there in 2006 it was no different. Everyone there was willing to point us young men and women in the right direction.
"First time" experiences at your HBCU?*
The only first I could remember is my first time setting something on fire in the lab. It was an accident, but funny.
Who are the professors that have impacted your life in and out of the classroom? How did they do that?*
Dr. Radman Ali, the director of the science division left an impression on me because he was bound and determined to push us to the next level and he did so.
Dr. Maggie Glover is the most amazing woman on campus because she was a second mother to me and I wouldn’t have made it without her.
Wilson-Booker Science Building on the Morris College Campus
What sports and/or extra curricular activities did you do in High School? And why?
I didn’t play a sport actually.
Best restaurants on/near campus? Best dishes?
The best restaurant was an asian cuisine joint called Teriyaki Wok. They gave you so much food for so little money. The other favorite spot was Murray’s they had the best donuts on Earth. Forget Krispy Kreme, and Dunkin Donuts, Murray’s had them beat!
College crush?
I spent my time in the science labs until I was blindsided by Devin Vestal one day my senior year. Now we’re engaged to be married on March 8, 2014. I love her more than anything on this earth.
Ghost stories involving buildings or spots on campus?
No Ghost stories, but we were all kind of paranoid about the presidents house which was right behind the campus. We all swore he was watching us at night.
What is your major? and Why did you choose it?
My major was Biology I chose it because I love science and science always seemed easy to me.
What to date has been your proudest moment @ Your HBCU?
My proudest moment was probably scoring the highest score in the school, that semester, on our senior exit exams.
Where are the spots to go to if you wanted to cuddle with your boy or girlfriend?
Well my favorite spot was parked right in front of the Wilson Booker Science building. We weren’t allowed to have too much PDA on our little christian campus but we still got it in. Now I’m engaged to my fiancee Devin Vestal, still engaging in PDA.
What are the chants heard most often at the sporting events?
I didn’t really attend enough sporting events to know sadly.
How are you positively active on campus? (e.g. clubs, SGA, etc.)
Through my fraternity I participated in the Headstart programs and helped, play with, feed, or teach young kids. I enjoyed every moment of it.
Where is the “yard” located?
Pretty much every where, but primarily by our Greek wall near the cafeteria.
What and where are the historical places on campus?
Our church and greek wall.
What to date has been your saddest moment at your HBCU?
The saddest moment at our school is learning of one of our classmates death from a disease to the spinal cord.
What situation in your life made you feel like you had arrived into woman/manhood?
Honestly, making that logical decision between buying a new game, or food to sustain life. Life is far more important, once you cross that threshold you’re a man.
How do you deal with racism when you encounter it?
I dealt with racism simply by not letting a slur or derogatory stick to me. I was not, am not, nor will I ever be any one thing that someone has called me out of anger or ignorance.
When and how did you discover your passion in life?
My passion in life for Veterinary science came from always having a pet and wanting to keep it safe and happy. My passion for writing came from being bored and wanting to make my own stories, eventually leading me to writing my own book titled Sacred Swords which is available now.
What's your take on life (in the philosophical sense)?
You have to do work, to obtain success. You have to believe in yourself for someone to believe in you. You have to trust someone for them to trust you. Basically you have to give a bit of your soul, to get a better standing for your soul.
How did you overcome your nervousness about going to college?
I took a step, took a breath, and realized this is the first step to the rest of my life. I had to make it a good one.
Are you a member of a fraternity?
I pledged Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity inc. Why because its the first and greatest! Really, I did because my sister pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. when I was very young and the Alphas she hung out with mentored me and taught me a lot. I wanted to pay it forward to the next generation.
If you could speak to those family members that have risen but that live forever through you, what words would you speak?
I’ve come this far, and I’m going a lot farther. All thanks to your guidance. Thank you and I love you.
If you could only speak two sentences to the youth coming after you what would you say?
Never let someone deviate you from your dream’s path. Always work hard to achieve it, because no work equals no success.
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Morris College
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Students: 1,200
- Athletics: Morris College are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing as an Independent of the Association of Independent Institutions (AII). Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, tennis and track & field; women's sports include basketball, cross country, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball.
- Notable Alumni: Dr. Leroy Bowman - 1940 - one of the original legendary Tuskegee Airmen of World War II** Laura Hall - 1965 - Politician; Member of the Alabama House of Representatives from the 19th district** Herman Harris - 1963 - Participated in Freedom Rides** James T. McCain - Sumter County Council Vice Chairman; civil rights activist; local president of CORE; participated in Freedom Rides** Jerry Moore - 1963 - Participated in Freedom Rides** Mae Francis Moultrie - 1961 - Participated in Freedom Rides** J. David Weeks - 1975 - Politician; Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 51st district; serves on the Judiciary Committee and was chair of the Legislative Black Caucus**
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