The World Needs Visionaries
Claflin University Ranked as a Most Affordable HBCU to Offer Online Bachelor's Degrees

Claflin University has been ranked in the Top 30 HBCUs that offer the most affordable online bachelor's degrees. Compiled by AffordableSchools.net, Claflin University is the only HBCU in South Carolina to have this designation. This online resource helps students make smart, higher education choices.

Claflin University officially began offering online degrees in the fall of 2014. Students are able to earn the following online bachelor's degrees in 18 months or less: Criminal Justice (B.A.), RN to BSN in Nursing (B.S.N.), Organizational Management (B.S.), and Psychology (B.A.). Claflin also offers online graduate degrees in Business Administration (MBA) and Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.). The University recently conferred degrees to the inaugural classes of the Curriculum and Instruction and RN to BSN in Nursing programs during the 2017 commencement ceremony.

"Offering online education is consistent with our mission of access and being a student-centered institution," said Claflin University Provost Dr. Karl S. Wright. "Those who may have a busy schedule but still desire a degree from Claflin have the flexibility of staying at home, studying abroad or working on an internship while taking courses from our professors."

Claflin University continues to garner national recognition for excellence in higher education. Other rankings include:
  • "10 Cutting Edge College Music Education Programs" - College Magazine
  • "25 Best Colleges in South Carolina" - College Choice
  • "Number 1 in Annual Alumni Giving Among HBCUs" - U.S. News and World Report
To find out more about Claflin's online degree programs, please click here.
Claflin Witnesses Historic Eclipse Event 

Claflin University's "Throwing Shade" celebration on Monday, August 21, for the first total eclipse of the sun visible from the contiguous United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) since 1979, created  astonishment, excitement, and curiosity, throughout the campus community.
 
"It was amazing," said Amanda Perry, a sophomore digital design major from Irmo, S.C. "I did not really know what to expect. We were told the sky would go dark, but it was difficult to imagine how it would happen."  Perry joined hundreds of Claflin students, staff, alumni and visitors at Claflin to witness the "Great American Eclipse,"  a total solar eclipse occurring exclusively over the continental United States. No other country saw totality, though many countries witnessed a partial eclipse of the sun.
 
" Even the temperature changed," said Annechester Williams, a junior business administration major from Spartanburg S.C.  "I expected the weather to stay hot but when the sky turned dark, the temperature dropped."

Students and visitors donned their solar eclipse safety glasses as the much-anticipated moment of the total eclipse began at 2:43 p.m. In a matter of minutes, the bright sky became eerily dark. But soon after, the bright sunshine and 90-plus degree temperatures returned slowly. 
 
"It's really cool that a total solar eclipse is such a rare event," said Aishwareya Singh, a sophomore at The High School for Health Professions in Orangeburg. "All of my friends have been pretty excited and social media really helped with creating awareness for the eclipse. A lot of articles and information were posted on social media about places that previously had a total eclipse. I read a BuzzFeed article about how some of the animals reacted during a  total eclipse in Africa."

Richard Furlong and his family traveled from Queens, N.Y to Claflin to view the eclipse. Furlong, his wife Cristina, and son Jackson visited several places before coming to Claflin.  "This has been an astronomy vacation," said Furlong, an English professor at City College of New York. "We saw a rocket launch at Kennedy Space Center last week."  Furlong said he and his family enjoyed the lecture in the W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Building that featured Ms. Thusheeta Sivayogan, astronomy and physics professor at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, N.C.  "This was a great event and Claflin has a wonderful campus. Of all the choices we could have made along the way, we chose Claflin. We are in the perfect place."
 
"The total eclipse was a history making event," said Claflin President Dr. Henry Tisdale. "What better place to witness history than at Claflin's historic campus. We are hopeful our students and visitors appreciated this special moment, which many of us may never see again."
Claflin Welcomes Class of 2021 with Confirmation Ceremony

On Sunday, August 20, Claflin University held its Confirmation Ceremony for the Class of 2021, which includes more than 500 students. This is the largest freshman class thus far in Claflin's history. Hosted by the Freshman College, t he ceremony is an annual Claflin tradition that signifies the conclusion of the orientation activities for the incoming class. The ceremony included a confirmation message from President Tisdale, a keynote address as well as a candle lighting service. 

In the keynote address, Dr. Isaiah McGee, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, let the students know they made the right choice in choosing Claflin University and how a  Claflin education helps to produce visionary leaders. " You have been placed here at this time to continue the legacy and vision that began here years ago," said Dr. McGee. "We collectively make this place we call Claflin with its rich heritage of producing people who are able to take stumbling blocks  and use them as stepping stones," he said. 

The Freshman College is a comprehensive year-long program designed to help entering freshmen build character, confidence, pride, memories and pathways to success. Students experience special seminars with small classes focusing on the needs of freshmen students and featuring close interaction with orientation leaders, faculty members and peer mentors. 
Art Beyond the Classroom and on to the Campus
Faculty and students in Claflin University's Art Department are taking their artwork beyond the classroom and on to the campus. The department hosted its digital mural unveiling on Friday, August 18 at the entrance of Laymen Hall, facing Asbury Hall. This is the University's first outdoor, digital mural with artwork created by Professor Habibur Rahman and assisted by alumna Khaliya Davis, '17.

The composition of the mural was based on teachings from Professor Rahman's digital design courses and was inspired by Hungarian painter and photographer, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy. "The design approach was similar to Moholy-Nagy's in the use of three dimensional geometric shapes," said Rahman.

Rahman and Davis also used 3D construction software programs throughout the design process. "We use the software in the art/digital design studio for many courses. The artwork you see is a 3D structure of straight and curvilinear forms woven together. Some forms are close and some are far away," continued Rahman. Additionally, vinyl film was mounted on an aluminum plate and coated with protective coatings and lamination to preserve the mural.             
Claflin University established the first formal art department at a college/university in the state of South Carolina. "This mural is evidence of Claflin's commitment to innovation and providing exemplary academic programs and opportunities. The collaboration between Dr. Rahman and Khaliya Davis represents the University's history of producing visionary leaders and artists," stated Claflin President Dr. Henry N. Tisdale.

World-renowned artist Leo Twiggs, '56, internationally recognized artist Arthur Rose, '50, and MacArthur Goodwin, '63, past president of the National Art Education Association, are among the art department's notable alumni.  

The digital mural design project was funded by a SEED Grant from the Office of the Provost. The art department plans to implement additional outdoor murals throughout the campus community. 
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
Desiring to assist young people in their efforts to acquire a higher education in a Christian environment, Reverend Dr. Bronco Harley Crooke, '73, recently established the Eugene and Idella Harley Annual Scholarship Fund at Claflin University in honor of her late parents. Even after retirement, her parents helped people in the community. "I'm honoring my parents for their compassion and empathy towards humanity.  There wasn't ever a time that they wouldn't give their last dime to help others," she said.

Dr. Liz Zimmerman Keitt, '70, was recently re-elected to the Orangeburg City Council District 5 seat. Serving in this position for the past 29 years, she was re-elected without opposition. Read more about Keitt's accomplishments by clicking here. Additionally this past weekend, Dr. Keitt celebrated the 25th anniversay of  Project Life: Positeen,  an after-school tutorial program that has been making an impact on the lives of Orangeburg area youth since 1992. The gala event was held on  August 19 in the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center. Through Project Life: Positeen, students receive tutoring in math, English-language arts, science, social studies, and writing. 

Ashley M. Simmons, '14, was recently featured on the U.S. Department of State's blog, DIPNOTE. Simmons serves as a consular officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou, China. Her main responsibility is to help U.S. citizens if they visit or reside in the Guangzhou area.  In the blog post, she reflects on the internship she secured with the Department of State in Rome during her junior year at Claflin University. "My internship at the U.S. mission to the U.N. agencies was a fast-paced and meaningful experience that allowed me to better understand world affairs," said Simmons. Click here to read the blog post.
Panther Pride
Wallace Earns Top SIAC Volleyball Preseason Honors

Claflin University junior Jordan Wallace  has been named the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Volleyball Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. She was also named to the Preseason First Team. The preseason honors, which were announced on August 15 by the league office, were voted on by the head volleyball coaches and sports information directors.
 
Senior Ashleigh Green  was named to the Preseason Second Team while the Lady Panthers, who are the reigning SIAC Eastern Division Champions, were picked to win the SIAC Eastern Division for the third season in a row.
 
Wallace, the 2016 SIAC Defensive Player of the Year, led the conference in blocks (96) averaging 1.02 per set. The 6-2 middle blocker from Charlotte, N.C. tallied 182 kills and was third in the conference in hitting percentage (.301). She finished with five or more blocks on 10 occasions and recorded 64 blocks (1.10/set) in conference matches. Wallace finished with a season-high 18 kills against Benedict last season.
 
Claflin will open its season on Friday, September 1 in Raleigh, N.C., against Shaw University. The Lady Panthers will then face North Greenville on September 6, Fayetteville State on September 11, UNC-Pembroke on September 12, and USC-Aiken on September 16. Claflin opens Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) play at the 2017 SIAC Crossover in Birmingham, Ala., on September 21 through 23.
 
Claflin will host North Greenville on September 27 in its 2017 home opener.
 
All Lady Panthers home matches will be played at Tullis Arena in the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center on the campus of Claflin University. All matches are free of charge and opened to the public.


August 23, 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, Geoff Henderson and Colin Myers