The World Needs Visionaries
Countdown to First Day of School 

Administrators, faculty, and staff are preparing for the arrival of new and returning students for the 2017 fall semester. Freshmen are set to arrive on campus on August 12 for the four-day New Student Orientation. Returning students will arrive on August 15 with classes set to begin on August 17.  Continuing and Professional Studies students will begin classes on August 21. For back-to-school information, please click here.
Claflin University Hosts Parting Ceremony for Class of 2021
 
 
 


Join members of the Claflin University family, alumni, community members and supporters of the University for the traditional Parting Ceremony for the Class of 2021. The ceremony will be held on Sunday, August 13 in the W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center at 3:30 p.m.  The Parting Ceremony is a unique and memorable tradition in which members of the Class of 2021 will formally part from their parents and transition into the Claflin University experience. 

The Parting ceremony will be available via livestream Sunday, August, 13 beginning at 3:30 p.m. Click here to see the ceremony. 
Claflin's Music Education Program Listed on College Magazine's "10 Cutting Edge College Music Education Programs" List
 
 
 

Claflin University's music education program was ranked 10th among other universities in the country on College Magazine's "10 Cutting Edge College Music Education Programs" list. The list credits the Bachelor of Arts in Music Education degree program and its comprehensive coursework, clinical experience and world-renowned faculty for preparing the next generation of professional musicians and educators.

Claflin is the only historically black college/university (HBCU) listed in the ranking.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education is designed for students who plan to teach music in levels K-12. It also prepares students to pursue graduate studies in music education and performing areas including piano, vocal, or instrumental music.

The Claflin University Department of Music has been an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 2004, and its degree requirements are in accordance with the latest published regulations of that association. The Music Education Program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Click here for the complete list of the "Cutting Edge Music Education Programs" produced by College Magazine.
Wendena Parkes Selected for National Educational Testing Service Presidential Scholarship
 
 

Senior biology major Wendena Parkes was recently selected among eight other students in the nation to receive the Educational Testing Service (ETS) Presidential Scholarship for Historically Black College/University (HBCU) students. The tuition only scholarship is for the 2017-2018 academic year and is open to students who attend public and private HBCUs.

ETS is a non-profit organization comprised of education experts, researchers and assessment developers who design industry-leading assessments and test prep materials.  The scholarship selection process included an external review by a committee in which students' academic achievements, co-curricular activities, essays, letter of recommendations, and other application materials were evaluated.

"I am honored to have received this prestigious scholarship, because of ETS' generosity, I will be able to focus on my academics and graduate as a first generation college student," shared Parkes.

Parkes' scholarship essay was titled the "Effect of Aluminum Hydroxide adjuvant on Autism." The essay is a continuation of a research project that Parkes' and Dr. Omar Bagasra, professor and director of The SC Center for Biotechnology, are currently working on.

Parkes has always had a passion for the STEM field and research and has served as an undergraduate research assistant throughout her matriculation at Claflin. She along with the other ETS Presidential Scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to present their research to the ETS committee during the fall semester.

Additionally, the Portland, Jamaica native is currently completing a 10-week cancer research internship/fellowship at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
After completing her studies at Claflin, Parkes hopes to continue her education, obtain her Ph.D. and continue her cancer research studies. 
GTC Dramatic Dialogues to Present "You. Me. We." at 
Claflin University

GTC Dramatic Dialogues will present "You. Me. We.," a 90-minute program that focuses on multi-cultural campus relationships and diversity on August 28 at 7 p.m. at Claflin University in the W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center.
 
GTC Dramatic Dialogues will perform a monologue, scripted interactions and host discussions that expose the often-unintentional ugliness of prejudice, which sets the stage for a lively discussion about diversity. Following the performance, students will have an opportunity to confront the characters and express their views and opinions on race, sex, sexual orientation, and gender.
 
"The focus of the presentation will be diversity, inclusion and cultural awareness," said Devin Randolph, assistant vice president for student development and services and director of residential life at Claflin. "The presentation also is consistent with the University's goal to integrate diversity into the core aspects of the campus community." 
 
GTC Dramatic Dialogues launched its innovative approach to dealing with important campus issues in 1995. The group's style of "Intervention Theater" combines short dramatic scenes, moderated discussions and real life scenarios, all of which makes the group's presentations effective in cutting through the rhetoric to get at the real issues. GTC Dramatic Dialogues was born from the desire to use theater as a tool to allow audience participants the opportunity to express their own issues, ideas and suggestions.
 
For more information, contact Devin Randolph at (803) 535-5301 or [email protected] .
Former Board of Trustees Chairman and Trustee Emeritus Passes Away
Reverend Dr. James E. Hunter III, former Board of Trustees Chairman and Trustee Emeritus passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2017. His memorial service was held on Saturday, August 5 at Saint Matthew United Methodist Church in Greenville, S.C. Dr. Hunter established the James E. Hunter Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award in 1995. This annual award is presented during Commencement Convocation and is awarded to a faculty member for outstanding performance in teaching and educational development. 
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,  [email protected], or  Derrick L. Quarles, '14, m anager of the Annual Fund/Alumni Relations, at ( 803) 535-5311,  [email protected]. 
Alumni News
Julius McDougal, '12, has joined the Eastern Kentucky University baseball program  as defensive coordinator and camp coordinator. In this position he will also coach infielders, coordinate the base running and bunting program along with working with hitters, and also assist in the team's recruiting efforts. McDougal played baseball while he was a student at Claflin. In 2010 he was chosen to the all-conference team after hitting .416, which was ranked 53rd in the country. He was also chosen as the defensive player of the year in 2011.
Panther Pride
The Claflin University women's volleyball program has released its 2017 schedule, which includes opponents from three different NCAA Division II conferences. The Lady Panthers will play their first 11 matches on the road.
 
Claflin season gets underway on September 1 when they travel to Raleigh, N.C. to face Shaw University in a non-conference match. The Lady Panthers will then face North Greenville (September 6), Fayetteville State (September 11), UNC-Pembroke (September 12), and USC-Aiken (September 16) before opening Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) play at the 2017 SIAC Crossover in Birmingham, Ala., September 21 through 23.
 
During the crossover, Claflin will play six games in three days against teams from the West Division of the conference. The lineup consists of Central State, Tuskegee, Kentucky State, Spring Hill College, LeMoyne-Owen College, and Lane College.
 
The Lady Panthers will open their home season on September 27 when they host North Greenville at 6 p.m. in a non-conference contest in Tullis Arena.
 
After the home-opener, Claflin will hit the road for a pair of SIAC East Division contests with Benedict College (September 29) and Paine College (October 3).
 
The Lady Panthers will then have a seven-game home stretch beginning October 12 versus Albany State and concluding with Benedict College on October 27. During the stretch Claflin will host Shaw University (October 14), Paine College (October 16), Fayetteville State (October 18), Clark Atlanta (October 20), and Fort Valley State (October 23).
 
Claflin will close out its regular season with four straight road games. The Lady Panthers will face SIAC opponents Fort Valley State (November 2), Albany State (November 3) and Clark Atlanta (November 10). Mixed between the conference matches is a non-conference match with Francis Marion on November 7.
 
The 2017 SIAC Conference Tournament is scheduled for November 13 through 18 in Birmingham.
 
For a complete schedule click here.


August 9, 2017
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@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 and Geoff Henderson