The World Needs Visionaries
Claflin University Launches Master of Science in Criminal Justice Program
In its continuing effort to sustain and enhance its role as a leader in higher education, Claflin University will launch a Master of Science in Criminal Justice program in March 2018. All classes will be offered online, and students will be able to complete degree requirements within 15 months.
 
The SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges) approved program will begin classes on March 12. The first cohort of students is expected to earn degrees in May 2019. The criminal justice master's program also addresses a national need for professionals with an advanced degree in the industry, according to Dr. Deborah Laufersweiler-Dwyer, Claflin's interim chair and associate professor in the Department of Social Sciences. 

"This program is another major step for the University as we now offer a high-demand program that allows professionals in the field an opportunity to earn a master's degree in criminal justice at an accelerated pace," Dr. Laufersweiler-Dwyer said . "Students from throughout the state of South Carolina and beyond can enroll in the program with the confidence they are receiving a high-quality education."
 
In 2016, Claflin gained approval by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) to promote and market its online programs in more than 40 states across the country. The Master of Science in Criminal Justice program joins the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.) and Master of Business of Administration (MBA) as fully online graduate programs.  Claflin's fully online bachelor's degree programs consist of the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management; Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; and the RN (Registered Nurse) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
 
"We have an impressive number of students who have been waiting eagerly for this program to begin," said Dr. Caroletta Ivey, assistant professor of criminal justice.  "Many of these students and others who will enroll in the program are already working in criminal justice related positions.  However, they need a master's degree to be eligible for promotions and other opportunities. Law enforcement, correctional agencies, and the court are seeking employees with advanced degrees who can apply critical thinking when solving problems or making decisions ."

"We are attracting students from Florida, Georgia and other states outside of South Carolina to our program," Ivey said. "The flexibility of our program is significant. Students can maintain their employment and manage their family responsibilities while taking classes from anywhere and anytime. "That is very important."

Prospective students interested in registering  may contact the Department of Social Sciences ( [email protected]/ 803-535-5896 ) or Mr. Mark Roberts, associate executive director for the Center for Professional & Continuing Studies ( [email protected]/ 803-535-5573). Contact Mrs. Tonya A. Sanders-Govan ([email protected]/ 803-535-5384) for  financial aid information.

"The Master of Science in Criminal Justice program is consistent with Claflin's Strategic Plan 'Claflin LEADS: A Shared Vision for the 21st Century' which has leadership development as a focus," said Claflin President Henry N. Tisdale. "Our vision is that Claflin will be recognized as a leading 21st Century institution of higher education that develops a diverse and inclusive community of globally engaged visionary leaders. This program provides the University a tremendous opportunity to produce diverse and inclusive visionary leaders in the discipline of criminal justice."
Claflin Ranked as a Top Ten HBCU by College Choice
College Choice ranks Claflin University tenth among the Best Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). The recent ranking lists the top 50 HBCUs in the United States. College Choice is a leading online authority in college and university rankings and resources.
 
College Choice uses data related to academic quality - including test scores and student-to-faculty ratios to develop its rankings. Student body diversity, tuition and fees, and return on investment and the expected early career income for graduates are other variables. Data used by College Choice are provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. News & World Report, and Payscale.
 
"Claflin's ranking with College Choice is indicative of the University's commitment to producing visionary leaders with global perspectives and our emergence as a leading 21st Century institution of higher education," said President Henry N. Tisdale. "It also reflects the University's world-class faculty, supportive and loyal alumni, and compassionate administrators."
 
For 17 consecutive years, Claflin has received national recognition as a leading liberal arts and a "Top Tier" university by prestigious print and online publications, including U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, and Washington Monthly. Claflin was selected 2015 HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest and U.S. News and World Report recently named Claflin the top HBCU in alumni annual giving percentage. The University's 47 percent alumni annual giving percentage also ranks among the national leaders at all colleges and universities. Black Southern Belle Magazine ranked Claflin as a "Heavenly Campus" for preserving the attractiveness and historical nature of the campus.
 
Founded in 1869, Claflin is the oldest HBCU in the state of South Carolina. The University is affiliated with The United Methodist Church. Claflin was chartered and continues to provide educational excellence and to prepare students without regard to gender, race, religion or ethnic origin.
 
To view the entire College Choice ranking, click here.
Student Spotlight 
Claflin University's 2018-2019 Miss UNCF, Makayla Cain, was awarded "Best In Style" at the UNCF/ Pre-Alumni Leadership Conference on Saturday , February 10 in Atlanta, Ga. Cain, a sophomore biology major from Greer, S.C., is a member of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College.
Claflin University Celebrates Black History Month
Claflin University is celebrating Black History Month with a series of thought provoking, and entertaining events.

Event schedule includes:
  • Wednesday, Feb. 14 - Lyceum Series presents "The Langston Hughes Project" featuring Dr. Ron McCurdy. 7 p.m. W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center.
  • Friday, Feb. 16 - "Black Panther" Movie Trip. AMC Dutch Square Mall (Columbia, S.C.).
  • Saturday, Feb. 24 - Freedom Ride to Savannah, GA. Bus leaves Claflin at 9 a.m. Return to Claflin by 7 p.m.
  • Monday, Feb. 26 - #MeToo and the Intersection of Race and Gender. 4 p.m. James and Dorothy Z. Elmore Chapel (Lower Level Room 6).
Click here for the complete schedule of Black History Month events.
Alumni Notes
Congratulations to Derrick Quarles, '14, manager of the Annual Fund/Alumni Relations on being presented the 2018 Pre-Alumni Council Advisor of the Year Award 72nd Anniversary UNCF/NAC/NPAC Leadership Conference on Saturday, February 10 in Atlanta, Ga.  "I am truly humbled that the UNCF would recognize and honor my contributions to the Claflin University Pre-Alumni Council," said Quarles. "We have so much more work to do and I'm excited to serve as an advisor to our PAC."

Do you need transportation to the 2018 CUIAA Convention in Atlanta, Ga.? Come ride with members of the Orangeburg County Alumni Chapter to the convention. The bus will leave from the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center (Claflin University) on Thursday, April 4 at 9 a.m. and return on Sunday, April 8, 2018. The cost is $75.00 roundtrip. Seats will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis. Please make all checks payable to the Orangeburg County Alumni Chapter and mail to: Orangeburg County Alumni Chapter, P.O. Box 1412, Orangeburg, SC 29116. If you have any questions, please contact Rosa K. Dance, president, at (803) 308-0666 or (803) 533-1828. The deadline is March 23, 2018.
Panther Pride
Claflin Softball Picks Up First Win of the Season

The Claflin University softball team defeated Southern Wesleyan (8-0) on Tuesday, February 13 in the first game of a non-conference doubleheader at the Adden Street Field in Orangeburg to pick up their first win of the season. The Lady Panthers fell to the Knights 3-1 in game two.
 
The split takes Claflin season record to 1-7 while Southern Wesleyan improves to 2-6.

Claflin will return to action on Sunday, February 18 when it travels to Greenwood, S.C. to face Lander University in a non-conference doubleheader.


Virginia State Edges Claflin in Series Finale
Virginia State University withstood a ninth-inning rally by Claflin University, edging the Panthers 14-13 in a non-conference baseball game on Sunday, February 11 at Mirmow Field. MORE

 
Claflin Baseball's First Win of the Season

The Claflin University Panthers baseball team spilt a pair of non-conference games with Virginia State University (9-3, 3-4) on Saturday, February 10) at Historic Mirmow Field. MORE

Claflin (19-5 overall, 12-4 in SIAC play) may be hitting its stride for the stretch run and the conference tournament. The Panthers play at Benedict on Saturday, February 10 at 3 p.m. in an ESPN3-televised game. After that, they close out the regular season at home against Benedict on Saturday, February 17 and at Paine College on Monday, February 19. MORE
February 14, 2018
In This Issue
Connect with Us
@Claflin is published by the Office of Communications & Marketing 
President: Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, '65
Vice President for Institutional Advancement: Rev. Whittaker V. Middleton, '73
Assistant Vice President for Communications & Marketing: George Johnson Jr.
Public Relations Director: J. Craig Cotton
Social Media and Public Relations Coordinator: Bernita Cooper, '12
Web Communications Manager: Colin Myers, '07
Sports Information Director: Romanda Noble-Watson
Photographers: Cecil Williams, '60, Geoff Henderson and Colin Myers, '07
Interns: Nathaniel Fields, Alexis Garner and Trendon Howard