@Claflin: Frances Davenport Finney Honors at Hats and Gloves Tea, Columbia City Ballet, and more

The World Needs Visionaries

Claflin University to Present 2018 Visionary Leader Award to Frances Davenport Finney at 12th Annual First Lady's Hats and Gloves Scholarship Tea

Claflin University will present Mrs. Frances Davenport Finney, '56, with the 2018 Visionary Leader Award during the 12th Annual First Lady's Hats and Gloves Scholarship Tea on Tuesday, March 20 in the Tullis Arena, Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center. Finney will be recognized for her contributions in K-12 and adult education and community service.

Finney was married for more than 60 years to the late Chief Justice Ernest A. Finney Jr., '52, who died in December 2017. He was the first African-American to serve as Chief Justice on the South Carolina Supreme Court.

Mrs. Finney earned a bachelor's degree in early childhood with a minor in social studies at Claflin. She received her master's in education in 1963 at South Carolina State University.

Finney's passion for teaching and inspiring academic achievement to both youth and adults led her to a career in education. She started out teaching first graders in Bucksport, S.C., and later became the director of the kindergarten program at Morris College in Sumter, S.C. Finney later taught non-traditional students at the Vocational Rehabilitation Center in Sumter before serving as director of Student Employment at the University of South Carolina at Sumter.

The Finneys were married in 1955 . Their union produced three children; Chip, a solicitor in Sumter; Jerry an attorney in Columbia, and Nikky, a renowned author and a professor at the University of South Carolina. Their accomplishments are continuing the family's legacy of community service and for being champions for racial justice and economic equality.

The First Lady's Hats and Gloves Scholarship Tea will feature an assortment of specialty teas, vendors with affordable luxury accessories, and musical performances by South Carolina's Official First Lady of Song, Loretta Holloway, '74.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Alice Carson Tisdale Scholarship. Three Claflin students will be awarded $2,000 scholarships and laptop computers for winning an essay contest and for their academic achievements.

Click here to purchase tickets or make a financial donation or contact Ms. Tammy McCottry, director of special events, at [email protected].

Claflin Celebrates SIAC Title and NCAA Division II Tournament Berth with Pep Rally

Congratulations to the men's basketball team who defeated Clark Atlanta University, 69-61, on Saturday, March 3 and captured the 2018 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Title. The win also gives the Panthers the conference's automatic berth in the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Regionals scheduled for March 10-13 in Atlanta, Ga. Claflin will play Clark Atlanta on March 10.

Claflin Lyceum Series to Feature Columbia City Ballet on March 8

Columbia City Ballet will perform Excerpts from Off the Wall and Onto the Stage: Dancing the Art of Jonathan Green, Body and Movement Explored and Cleopatra at Claflin University on Thursday, March 8 at the W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center. Admission is free and the public is invited.

The Columbia City Ballet's appearance is part of Claflin's annual Lyceum Series which features guest lecturers, performers, and events that stimulate and reinforce the cultural and intellectual environment of the campus community.

Columbia City Ballet was founded in 1961 as a community dance group that staged only two performances a year. It has increased its total number of major performances to more than 80 per year, reaching more than 51,000 people in a season. Now in its 57th season, CCB will travel to 10 cities in three states and perform 18 full-length performances at the Koger Center.

Under the leadership of Artistic & Executive Director William Starrett, the CCB produces what critics have described as "some of the highest quality cultural entertainment in the Southeast." The ballet attracts audiences from all over the region and quality artists from all over the world who are eager to join one of the region's strongest, most versatile ballet companies.

For more information, contact Dr. Peggy S. Ratliff at (803) 535-5233 or email [email protected] .

Claflin Hosts IELP Graduation Ceremony

Twenty elementary school teachers from Panama and one student from Angola completed the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) and received certificates during the closing ceremony on Tuesday, March 6 in Ministers' Hall. The eight-week program allowed participants the opportunity to improve their English speaking skills and explore the cultural offerings of Claflin's campus and the surrounding areas. Claflin students, faculty and staff also interacted with the attendees to learn more about their culture and language. The IELP program is coordinated by Dr. Esther Lee, director and assistant professor of the Intensive English Language Program.

Claflin Students Participate in Live Twitter Chat During National PBS Broadcast

Claflin University students, faculty, staff, and alumni participated in the "Tell Them We Are Rising" Live Twitter Chat during the national television PBS broadcast of the documentary on February 19. The Twitter Chat encouraged the discussion of the impact and significance of HBCUs in America's history, culture and in the lives of its graduates. "Tell Them We Are Rising" was produced by award-winning producer, director, writer, Stanley Nelson and is a part of the Independent Lens series on PBS. Check your local listings for showtimes.

Claflin Currently in Second Place in the Retool Your School Competition

Claflin University is currently in second place in The Home Depot Retool Your School Grant Program competition. In 2014, Claflin won $10,000 for campus beautification. This year we are aiming to win $50,000 and here is how you can help.

Everyday, go to www.retoolyourschool.com and vote for Claflin University. No matter if you have a laptop, desktop, smart phone, tablet - you can vote on ALL of these devices once per day. We encourage you to vote on all of your devices - the more votes we have, the better our odds are to win the $50,000. The contest ends on April 15 at 11:59 p.m.

Also in all of your Twitter and Instagram posts, use the hashtag #Claflin_RYS18

Remember it's just Instagram and Twitter only. You can do this multiple times.

Vote online at www.retoolyourschool.com and by using the hashtag in all of your social media conversations on Instagram and Twitter only.

Employee News

Dr. Anthony Broughton, assistant professor of education, was one of 10 individuals named to the 2018 Capital Young Professional (CYP) Awards Top Ten Finalists by Columbia Metropolitan Magazine and the United Way of the Midlands. The honorees will be formally recognized at the CYP Celebration, which will take place on April 24 at Senate's End. One of the 10 finalists will be announced as the grand prize winner at the event and will receive a write-up in the May edition of Columbia Metropolitan Magazine among other prizes.

Mrs. Alice Carson Tisdale , director of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College, was the keynote speaker for the W. Franklin Evans Honors College Induction Ceremony on March 1 at Voorhees College. In her address, Tisdale shared with the inductees her academic journey from grade school to higher education. She also reminded them about the relevance of HBCUs. "We continue to produce leaders of greatness," she said. The Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College provides a full academic and college experience that includes high-level learning, ongoing academic advising, cultural enrichment opportunities, community services experiences, and other programs designed to enhance and develop students' academic and leadership potential.

Dr. Belinda Wheeler, associate professor of English, is the new editor of Antipodes: A Global Journal of Australian/New Zealand Literature. Antipodes is the official journal of the American Association of Australasian Literary Studies. The journal is the highest-ranking Australasian literary studies journal outside of Australia, and one of the top-rated Australasian journals within Australia. The journal, which was established in 1986, is indexed in the MLA International Bibliography and AustLit: The Resource of Australian Literature.

Alumni Notes

In 1974, the International Alumni Association of Claflin University established an annual convention to discuss alumni affairs, recognize distinguished alumni, and develop ways to continue supporting our Alma Mater.

"Visionary Leaders Embracing Diversity in the 21st Century" is this year's theme as our Alma Mater continues to demonstrate its commitment to its legacy of nurturing, preparing, and developing visionary leaders.

Click here to register for the 44th Annual Alumni Convention in Atlanta, Ga. on April 5-8, 2018.

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.

Mercy Chikowore, '06, was featured in a national women's advocacy commercial #WeAreHere during the telecast of the 2018 Oscars Award Show on Sunday, March 4. The Twitter campaign was launched as an advocacy campaign to improve women's experiences online and as a response to the recent Hollywood sexual harassment scandals. Chikowore is also featured on the cover of the ad and in various news articles alongside filmmaker Ava DuVernay, actress-writer-director Issa Rae and other notable women. Click here to view the commercial.

The South Carolina State Museum in Columbia, S.C., will celebrate art in South Carolina during Art Day on Saturday, March 10 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The signature event will feature a variety of programs highlighting the work of South Carolina artist, community leader and former State Museum Commissioner Dr. Leo Twiggs, '56, focusing on his current exhibit Requiem for Mother Emanuel. Activities will include a gallery talk by Twiggs, music performances from the Mother Emanuel AME Choir and Indigo Soul, South Carolina artists working throughout the museum, behind-the-scenes tours, hands-on family activities and more. Also, a series of seminars titled, Circles of Dialogue, will be held on Tuesday, March 20 and April 17, 2018, from 6:30 until 8 p.m. to speak about racial issues. Requiem for Mother Emanuel will be featured until April 29. Click here for ticket information.

Elder Dorothy Washington, '78, will be installed as the new pastor of Greater Hines Chapel Apostolic Church in Andrews, S.C., on Sunday, March 18 at 5 p.m. Elder Washington is taking over the pastorate after the passing of her husband, Bishop Jimmie Washington who passed away in September 2017.

Panther Pride

Claflin University Captures the 2018 SIAC Men's Basketball Title

The Claflin University men's basketball team defeated Clark Atlanta University, 69-61, on Saturday, March 3, to capture the 2018 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Title.

The Panthers finished the regular season 25-6, the most wins since the 2008-09 season when the team went 25-4. The win also gives the Panthers the conference's automatic berth in the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Regionals scheduled for March 10-13. This is the first SIAC men's basketball tournament title for Claflin University men.

Head Coach Ricky Jackson was named the tournament Most Outstanding Coach. Jaleel Charles was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player and Triston Thompson and was named to the named to the All-Tournament Team. MORE

Claflin to Face Clark Atlanta in NCAA Tournament

A night after defeating Clark Atlanta to win its first Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship, Claflin's men's basketball team learned it would face a rematch in the first round of the NCAA Division II tournament.

Claflin, which defeated Clark Atlanta 69-61 Saturday night in Birmingham, Ala., will meet the SIAC foe again.

Claflin earned the No. 3 seed in the South Region. Clark is the No. 6 seed.

The regional round of the single-elimination tournament will run Saturday-Tuesday, March 10-13, 2018. Claflin will play Clark on Martch 10.

Joining Claflin and Clark Atlanta in the South Regional, are No. 1 seed and host Morehouse College, No. 2 seed West Florida, No. 4 seed Eckerd, No. 5 seed Valdosta State, No. 7 Barry, and No. 8 Florida Southern. West Florida and Valdosta play in the Gulf South Conference while Florida Southern, Barry and Eckerd are members of the Sunshine State Conference.

Links for live stats and video will be available prior to the game. Check the Panthers basketball schedule at athletics.claflin.edu for the links. MORE

Claflin to Host Bloomfield College in Softball Doubleheader

The Claflin University softball team will host Bloomfield College, Wednesday, March 7 in a non-conference doubleheader. The first pitch is set for 2 p.m. at the Adden Street Field in Orangeburg.

Claflin Baseball Team to Host Saginaw Valley State in Mid-Week Game

The Claflin University Panthers will host Saginaw Valley State University in a mid-week baseball game on Thursday, March 8 at Mirmow Field. The f irst pitch is slated for 3 p.m.

Claflin Softball Team Splits Non-conference Doubleheader with North Greenville

Claflin University softball team split a non-conference doubleheader with North Greenville winning game one 3-1 and dropping game two 17-1 on Sunday, March 4.

With the split, the Lady Panthers record moves to 5-13 while North Greenville improves to 10-6 on the season.

Claflin Baseball Team Drops Weekend Series to Saint Rose

The College of Saint Rose took all three baseball games from Claflin University over a three game series on March 3 and 4 at Mirmow Field. The Golden Knights swept the series 20-1, 6-0, and 12-5.

The loses dropped Claflin to 2-16 heading into the Thursday, March 8 mid-week doubleheader against Saginaw Valley State University at home. The first game is scheduled for 3 p.m. with the second to follow 30 minutes after the completion of the first game. MORE