New Student Profile: Tavonne Dillon

By Naomi Coggs, student writer

 

Inspiration can come from a number of people and things. This time inspiration came in the form of Tavonne Dillon, a humble native of Detroit, Michigan. A freshman here at Oakwood University, he loves to read and write and is already enjoying the atmosphere here in Huntsville, calling it an "enlightenment and awakening."

 

However, Tavonne's journey to Oakwood University was not an easy one.



Growing up in the streets of Detroit made it difficult to find a good crowd to hang around with, and stability, attending at least 15 different schools from middle school through high school.

 

Tavonne had not heard of the Seventh-day Adventist Church or Oakwood University, until just four months ago when he met Toson Antwan Knight, '12, former United Student Movement  President, who works for Mayor Mike Duggan in Detroit. Tavonne was presented with the opportunity to go to college, something that is unheard of in the streets of Detroit. He took the opportunity and packed up just two days before school started. Tavonne has not looked back and is working towards a degree in Social Work so that one day he can help young kids escape the mental slavery of the streets.

 

A local Detroit news station has also been interested in Tavonne's journey and is airing a story this evening.