Morris College Welcomes Seven Dynamic Leaders to Its Board of Trustees
Sumter, SC — Morris College is proud to announce the appointment and reappointment of seven outstanding individuals to its Board of Trustees: Bishop Dr. John T. Brown, Jr., Mr. Benjamin I. Duncan II, Mr. Michael E. Collins, Mr. James V. “Ted” Wilson, Rev. Dr. Cecil L. Bromell, Ms. Recharda Dawkins, and Mr. Thales Boykin, who will serve as the Student Representative. These visionary leaders bring a powerful blend of experience in ministry, public policy, higher education, alumni engagement, philanthropy, student leadership, and corporate affairs. Together, they reflect the spirit of Morris College and will help steer the institution toward continued growth, innovation, and service.
Bishop Dr. John T. Brown, Jr.
A native of Marion, SC, Bishop Dr. John T. Brown, Jr. is a respected spiritual leader and entrepreneur. He is the founder and overseer of New Beginning Christian Outreach Ministries and Redeemed Baptist Church, and the Presiding Prelate of the Fellowship of Ministries International. In addition, he leads John Brown Consulting Firm, LLC, which helps faith-based organizations develop, finance, and construct facilities.
Dr. Brown holds degrees from Benedict College, W.L. Bonner College, and a Doctorate in Christian Business Development. A man of unwavering faith, he is guided by Philippians 4:13 and lives by the motto, “Totally Committed.”
Mr. Benjamin I. Duncan II
Appointed by Governor Henry McMaster, Mr. Benjamin I. Duncan II serves as South Carolina’s first Chief Resilience Officer, leading the state’s coordinated efforts to respond to environmental hazards and natural disasters. His work has included the implementation of South Carolina’s first Strategic Resilience Plan and the successful management of thousands of housing recovery projects.
Mr. Duncan holds degrees from Benedict College and the University of South Carolina, along with executive training from Harvard University and the USC Moore School of Business. He is also a respected adjunct professor, longtime civic leader, and Chairman of the Board of Deacons at Saint John Baptist Church. He and his wife Stephanie are proud parents and grandparents.
Mr. Michael E. Collins
A nationally recognized government affairs and public policy strategist, Michael E. Collins, brings more than 20 years of high-level leadership experience to the board. He currently serves as Director of Policy and Government Affairs for Starbucks and previously served in the White House as Special Assistant to President Joe Biden and Director of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Michael also spent more than two decades working alongside civil rights legend Congressman John Lewis. A graduate of Morehouse College, Emory University, and Boston College, he serves on several nonprofit boards and is a passionate advocate for equity and representation. He is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. When asked about his thoughts on being appointed to the Board, he said, “As someone who deeply values education and community, it is a privilege to serve Morris College and contribute to the advancement of its proud tradition.”
Mr. James V. “Ted” Wilson
James V. “Ted” Wilson returns to the Morris College Board of Trustees, bringing decades of entrepreneurial leadership, community service, and philanthropic impact. A proud alumnus of Morris College, Mr. Wilson is the Founder and CEO of Universal Benefits Marketing Firm, Inc., the third largest independently owned final expense marketing firm in the nation. Under his leadership, UBI supports more than 1,500 agents nationwide and multiple affiliated business ventures.
Mr. Wilson’s trailblazing career began in education and insurance, ultimately leading to his founding of Wilson and Associates in 1981. He is also the visionary behind UBI University, Capital Investments real estate firm, and The Imperial Fine Dining, which now functions as a business training venue. His charitable foundations—The LouVon Foundation and The Ted Wilson Foundation—serve as engines of hope, offering housing, heating assistance, job training, and educational resources to underserved families across the Southeast.
Among his many honors, Mr. Wilson holds recognition from the South Carolina Senate, Governor’s Small and Minority Business Program, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, among others. His service reflects his life motto: “Winners will always find a way to win.”
Reverend Dr. Cecil L. Bromell
Reverend Dr. Cecil L. Bromell, a proud 2004 honor graduate from Morris College, and currently serves as an associate professor of Religion at Morris. Now, he accepts the role as a Trustee with deep personal and professional ties to Morris’ mission. A native of Loris, South Carolina, Dr. Bromell earned his Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Morris, graduating Magna Cum Laude and ranking fourth in his class. He went on to earn both a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, Georgia.
Throughout his ministry, Dr. Bromell has been a dedicated teacher, preacher, and civic leader. He has pastored historic congregations such as Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Darlington and previously led Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church in Mullins. He has also served in numerous denominational, community, and nonprofit leadership roles, including Director of Operations for the Boys and Girls Club of Williamsburg County, and Vice President of the Marion County Branch NAACP.
A member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and active in Masonic and Eastern Star organizations, Dr. Bromell is known for his dynamic preaching and community engagement. His appointment as a Trustee reflects his unwavering commitment to faith, education, and generational impact.
Ms. Recharda Dawkins
Recharda Dawkins, a devoted alumna from the Class of 1989, joins the Morris College Board of Trustees bringing decades of leadership, alumni engagement, and corporate experience. A native of Simpsonville, South Carolina, Ms. Dawkins serves as President of the Morris College National Alumni Association (MCNAA), where her passion for her alma mater has driven her to lead countless fundraising, recruitment, and engagement efforts.
Her professional journey includes an impressive 23-year tenure at Ford Motor Company, where she excelled in roles ranging from customer service to Credit Analyst/Status Manager overseeing North American dealerships. In 2000, she led the launch of Ford’s Southeast Call Center in Greenville, SC, playing a pivotal role in recruitment and training.
A lifelong servant-leader, Ms. Dawkins is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the NAACP, NCNW, and Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. Her deep involvement in alumni affairs spans roles as secretary, vice president, president, treasurer, and committee chair within both the Piedmont Alumni Chapter and the MCNAA. She was also a member of the Presidential Search Committee for Morris College’s 11th President and is a charter member of the MCNAA established in 2017.
Ms. Dawkins is guided by her faith and personal mission to unite the alumni community, strengthen financial support for Morris College, and promote pride in the institution’s legacy. Her life is anchored by scripture and service, declaring, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).
Mr. Thales Boykin
Thales Boykin, a senior Mass Communication major at Morris College, proudly serves as the newly appointed Student Representative on the Morris College Board of Trustees. A committed student leader, Mr. Boykin steps into this vital role with a passion for advocacy, transparency, and progress on behalf of his peers.
With Morris College as a foundation of academic empowerment, service, and character-building, Mr. Boykin is dedicated to ensuring that student voices are not only heard—but prioritized—in the decisions that shape campus life and the College’s future.
His vision focuses on:
- Centering Student Voice: Hosting monthly feedback forums and communicating key Board discussions that impact students.
- Improving Campus Life: Championing facility enhancements, wellness resources, and student-focused events.
- Advancing Academic & Career Opportunities: Expanding access to internships, research, graduate pipelines, and alumni mentorship.
- Celebrating Morris Legacy: Promoting Morris pride and demonstrating the national impact of small HBCUs through service and outreach.
Mr. Boykin’s leadership is rooted in faith, service, and vision. With a collaborative spirit and bold determination, he is committed to helping Morris College rise as a place where students are empowered, heard, and equipped to lead. “Let’s build on our past, lead with courage, and look ahead with bold vision. Together, we will ensure that Morris College continues to rise as a place where we enter to learn and depart to serve.”
Dr. Said Sewell, president of Morris expressed his joy about bringing these new Trustees aboard: I am truly excited to welcome our new Board of Trustees and look forward to working together to strategically shape the vision for Morris College and raise vital funds to support the Morris College Elevation Plan. Together, we will achieve great things!