SHARE:  
The World Needs Visionaries
Claflin Maintains Top Ten Ranking by US News and World Report for HBCUs
For the seventh consecutive year, Claflin University has earned a place among the top 10 in U.S. News and World Report's annual ranking of the nation's Top 20 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Claflin is ranked ninth by the prestigious publication in its 2018 ranking, which includes 74 HBCUs. 
 
Since 2012, U.S. News and World Report has listed Claflin among the top national liberal arts universities. Claflin's alumni giving percentage of 50 percent is No.1 at HBCUs and ranks among the best at all of the nation's colleges and universities. 
 
Claflin was recently recognized as one of the "10 Cutting Edge College Music Education Programs" by College Magazine and College Choice ranked Claflin in its ranking of the "25 Best Colleges in South Carolina." Claflin's national rankings are consistent with the University's strategic plan, Claflin LEADS: A Shared Vision for the 21st Century
 
HBCUs listed in U.S. News and World Report are compared only with each other for these rankings. In order to be on the list, a school must be currently designated by the U.S. Department of Education as an HBCU. To qualify for U.S. News rankings, an HBCU must also be an undergraduate baccalaureate-granting institution that enrolls primarily first-year, first-time students and must be a school that is part of the 2018 Best Colleges rankings.

Click  here  to view the complete list from U.S. News and World Report.
Claflin University Breaks Ground for New Health and Wellness Complex

Claflin University has channeled its most recent community engagement initiative into what President Henry N. Tisdale described as "A New Gateway" to South Carolina's oldest historically black college/university (HBCU). The ground breaking ceremony of Claflin's new Health and Wellness Complex, launched the construction of a dynamic, multi-purpose facility that will provide benefits for the campus community and area residents beyond the walls of the University. The ceremony was held on September 7 following Claflin's 148th Matriculation Day Convocation.
 
"The Health and Wellness Complex is tangible evidence of our commitment to serve our students and provide the best environment for their success as future, boldly engaged visionary leaders," Tisdale said. "The mission of the health and wellness complex is to provide a means for the Claflin community and the Orangeburg community to gain healthier lives."

The Health and Wellness Complex is a 33,000 square-foot facility that will expand and renovate the existing Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center. The complex will provide holistic health, nutrition, and life-long wellness education to the campus community and local residents. The ultra-modern facility will include an auxiliary gym, fitness center, demonstration kitchen, walking track, office space, classrooms, and a farmer's market with locally-sourced foods.

The project has received funding from a variety of sources including Claflin's capital campaign, Orangeburg County, the United Methodist Church, Sodexo, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, AFLAC and other donors.
Michele J. Cardwell, acting state director of USDA for South Carolina, announced that the USDA is providing three grants totaling $149,000 to the health and wellness project, supporting the healthy kitchen, card readers for access and the farmers market.

Board Chairman James Bennett said that it was appropriate that the groundbreaking was held on the same day as Claflin's Matriculation Day Convocation.  "It is incumbent upon us to make sure (students) have the tools to be successful," Bennett said.  "Just as students are transitioning to college, then life and careers after graduation, Claflin is transitioning to educating the community at large with the new complex."
Claflin University Hosts Constitution Day Assembly

Claflin University's annual Constitution Day Assembly will be held on September 14 at 11 a.m. in the W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center. The event is held to  honor the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787. The legislation authorizing this Day states, "Each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year should hold an educational program on the United States Constitution for the students served by the educational institution." 

The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme law of the United States. It is the foundation and source of the legal authority underlying the existence of the United States of America and the Federal Government of the United States. It also provides the framework for the organization of the United States Government. 

The guest speaker for Claflin's Constitution Day Assembly is The  Honorable  Cezar  E. McKnight, a  member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. McKnight serves the  citizens  of  House  District  101  in Williamsburg and Clarendon  Counties.  He  currently sits  on  the  House, Medical,  Municipal  and  Military  Affairs  Committee. In 1991 he  was  enlisted  in  the United  States  Army Reserve and  was honorably discharged in April 1999.
Claflin University to Celebrate National HBCU Week and Panther Fest 

Claflin University will celebrate the contributions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) during National HBCU Week in conjunction with PantherFest beginning on September 17.

Claflin will host a series of week-long events including the HBCU Week Kick-off at noon on Monday, September 18 at Panther Plaza. All events are free and open to the public. Give-a-ways and prizes will be awarded throughout the week.

The events are created to encourage student involvement and awareness of cultural events.  

The HBCU Week initiative is planned under the leadership of the White House Initiative on HBCUs and with input from the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs. 

The complete schedule of events is forthcoming.
Make Your Plans for Homecoming 2017 
Claflin University is looking forward to welcoming you "home" for Homecoming 2017 on November 16-19. 
 
Many events are planned for your enjoyment and participation.  We will also celebrate reunion for the classes of  1937, 1942, 1947, 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012 . Celebrate your class with a memory that last forever. 

If you are a class officer/agent, please contact  Zelda M. Lee, '77, d irector of the Annual Fund/Alumni Relations, at ( 803) 535-5348,  zelee@claflin.edu, or  Derrick L. Quarles, '14, m anager of the Annual Fund/Alumni Relations, at ( 803) 535-5311,  dquarles@claflin.edu
Alumni News

The Honorable  Michael C. Butler, '83, was re-elected to serve another four years as the mayor of Orangeburg, S.C. Butler became the city's first African-American mayor in 2013. Pictured above is Mayor Butler along with supporters after hearing he had won the mayoral race. Photo courtesy of the Times and Democrat.

Nyasha Chikowore, '06, has been published in Teen Vogue. The online  mental health awareness article titled, "6 Reasons to Visit Your School Counselor" encourages students to take advantage of counseling services offered at schools. Chikowore is a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) student in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, D.C. Previously, Chikowore worked as a mental health therapist at the University of Maryland - School of Mental Health Program in Baltimore, Md.  "I have found that mental health continues to be stigmatized amongst young people, especially in the African-American community and I wanted to be a voice that encourages young people to seek help where they spend most of their time (school)," shared Chikowore.


The Spartanburg-Cherokee Chapter of the Claflin University International Alumni Association held its Visionary Gala Scholarship Dinner on Saturday, September 9 at the ballroom of the Spartanburg Marriott. The event generated a grand total of $45,000 in gifts. This gifts included a $15,000 donation to the University from the Spartanburg-Cherokee Chapter and a $5,000 donation from the Denny's Hungry for Education Program through the Tom Joyner Foundation. Also, an anonymous donor established a $25,000 endowed scholarship in honor of Mrs. Jessie Ruth Henderson Littlejohn, '68. Click here for more photos.
Panther Pride

September 13, 2017
In This Issue
Connect with Us
@Claflin is published by the Office of Communications & Marketing 
President: Dr. Henry N. Tisdale
Vice President for Institutional Advancement: Rev. Whittaker V. Middleton
Assistant Vice President for Communications & Marketing: George Johnson Jr.
Public Relations Director: J. Craig Cotton
Social Media and Public Relations Coordinator: Bernita Cooper
Web Communications Manager: Colin Myers
Sports Information Director: Romanda Noble-Watson
Photographers: Cecil Williams, Geoff Henderson and Colin Myers
Student Workers: Nathaniel Fields, Alexis Garner, Timothy Lyons and Curtis Patterson