@Claflin: CSRA Chapter Raises 17K, Economic Summit, First Day of School, and more

The World Needs Visionaries

Central Savannah River Area Alumni Chapter Achieves Fundraising Success to Support Scholarships at Claflin University

The Claflin University International Alumni Association (CUIAA) has garnered national recognition for providing financial support for scholarships and programs vital to the University's mission. Claflin's annual alumni giving rate of 52 percent is highest among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) according to a recent ranking by U.S. News and World Report. The alumni's support is testimony of their belief that a Claflin education is a sound investment.

The Central Savannah River Area Chapter (CSRA) of the CUIAA has vigorously transformed the challenge of fundraising into an opportunity to express its gratitude for the academic and cultural experiences they received at Claflin. The CSRA presented Claflin with a check for $17,000 during its seventh $10,000 Reverse Raffle/White Affair on Friday, July 21 at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion in Martinez, Ga. The CSRA's donation will provide scholarships for nine students attending Claflin from the Central Savannah River region.

The $10,000 Reverse Raffle/White Affair provides support for scholarships and serves as the chapter's "Signature Event." The University has requested each CUIAA chapter host a "Signature Event" that raises a minimum of $10,000.

The CSRA has been highly successful with its fundraising efforts. It has an endowment of $72,000 and the chapter has donated more than $65,000 since 2011 for scholarships. The CSRA's commitment to helping students achieve their dreams of earning a college degree has resulted in the chapter receiving the CUIAA Annual Dollar Award (2013-17); Kennedy Fellow Award in Leadership Giving (2014) and Chapter of the Year (2011).

"I believe the fundraising efforts for the CUIAA and specifically the CSRA has been successful because of active leadership and planning," said Natasha Carter, CUIAA president. "The chapter sets simple and attainable fundraising goals and it continues to provide financial support to college bound students. They have done an impressive job of creating access to college for outstanding high school graduates from the Central Savannah River region."

Claflin University and the South Carolina NAACP To Host Annual African-American Economic Summit

Claflin University and the South Carolina NAACP will host the annual African American Economic Summit on Saturday, August 5, at the W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center. " Preparing African-Americans for Today's Global Market" is the theme for this year's summit which reflects the strong focus that will be placed on employment and career options for South Carolinians. In addition, seminars will feature experts in entrepreneurship, community development, land/ property management, employment training, economic empowerment, tourism and other issues important to improving predominately African-American communities in South Carolina.

The African-American Economic Summit will open at 9 a.m. with a welcome by Claflin President Henry N. Tisdale and an "Economy and Jobs Forecast" presentation by Diane Sumpter, president/chief executive officer at DESA, Inc., a professional services firm based in Columbia, S.C.

Senator John W. Matthews will serve as keynote speaker for the Annual CEO Luncheon at 1 p.m. in Ministers' Hall. The inaugural "Black Mayor's" Forum will begin at 2 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center. Participants include representatives of rural and urban municipalities led by African American mayors.

"Claflin University and the School of Business play significant roles in the economic development of Orangeburg and the state of South Carolina," said Dr. Charles Richardson, chair of Claflin's School of Business. "We are very proud of our partnership with the NAACP and the opportunity to host an event such as this that will focus on topics related to economics and finance that are critical to the growth of our region. The Summit also highlights Claflin's relationships and influence beyond the walls of the campus to our students and the campus community."

The African-American Economic Summit began in 2005 as an event to promote education, employment and entrepreneurship. Claflin University is one of the event's founding partners. Over the years, the Summit has provided strategies to help individuals and businesses prosper economically.

"We have been a bridge to link generations and connect communities across South Carolina," said William Johnson, 2017 AAES planning committee chair. "Economic sustainability is our ultimate goal. With each succeeding year we are adding more advocates."

Attendance is free however attendees are encouraged to register online by clicking here.

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.

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

Aubrey Jackson, '13, is currently featured in the August issue of Talk Greenville Magazine as one of the "Top 10 Stylish People in Greenville." Jackson is a broadcast journalist at WYFF News 4. The August edition of Talk Greenville is currently on news stands. Click here to view the article.

Joseff McKenneth (Goodwin), '07, recently completed the production of Afterwhile: The Movie, a film that he wrote, starred in, and served as executive producer. The film is based on the song, Afterwhile, he produced last February.

Congratulations to Ladella Sharperson, '80, who recently retired as the parenting coordinator for Orangeburg Consolidated School District Four. She was employed by the District for 35 years. During her time as the parenting coordinator, Sharperson worked to help hundreds of parents and grandparents enhance their parenting skills as well as got them involved in improving their children's literacy and achievement. Here she is pictured with Dr. Tim Newman, superintendent of Orangeburg Consolidated School District Four.(Photo courtesy of The Times and Democrat)

Rev. James E. Tolbert, '54, reached a milestone when he recently celebrated his 90th birthday among family and friends at an event at the Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Charleston where he serves as an associate minister. Rev. Tolbert has been active in his community including the Claflin University National Alumni Association, Charleston County Teachers Association, the Charleston Ministerial Alliance, Gothic Masonic Lodge (PHS), National Education Association, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He has also served as a volunteer chaplain for the Charleston Memorial Hospital. Some of his awards include being an inductee to the Claflin University Hall of Fame; service and volunteer awards from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Mitchell Elementary and Courtenay Middle School, Charleston Memorial Hospital and Claflin University. (Photo courtesy of Charleston Chronicle)

Cecil Williams, '60, has released a new book titled Unforgettable: A Time of Life, Hope, Bravery. The book illustrates Williams' early years in segregated Orangeburg. "I wanted our struggle in this country, state and city to be accurately recorded for history and our legacy, heritage and culture as African-Americans. That's what I was trying to capture. I'm really using myself as the starting point of the experience I tell about. This is my firsthand account of things I've seen, done and experienced," he said in an interview with The Times and Democrat. Read the entire Times and Democrat story by clicking here.

Panther Pride

The Claflin University athletics department announces the hiring of Revonda Whitely and Mary Rotimi as the head women's basketball coach and head volleyball coach, respectively. Whitely's appointment was effective July 24 while Rotimi's appointment was effective July 31.

Whitley (right) joins the Lady Panthers staff after serving 13 years as the associate head coach at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a NCAA Division I program. She is no stranger to the state of South Carolina, having played at Winthrop University in Rock Hill. She was a four-year standout student athlete for the Eagles women's basketball program from 1990 to 1994, ending a stellar career, with over 1,000 points, 600 rebounds and 140 steals.

Whitley began her collegiate coaching career at Elizabeth City State in 2001, just an hour away from where she grew up in Pantego, N.C. During her tenure at Elizabeth City State, she served as the head volleyball coach for two seasons (2003-04), while also serving as an adjunct professor in the Physical Education Department (2002-04).

Her coaching resume includes stints with the Columbia Warriors men's semi-professional basketball team (1998), The Timmerman School (1999) and she was also the head junior varsity coach at Eau Claire High School (2000), all in Columbia, S.C.

She graduated from Winthrop with a bachelor's degree in psychology and earned a master's degree in human performance and sport studies (sport psychology) from the University of Tennessee in 1997.

Rotimi (right) rejoins the coaching ranks after serving as the program director with the Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia for the past three years.

Prior to her stint with the Boys and Girls Club, Rotimi spent one season (2013-14) as the assistant athletic director of recreation and head volleyball coach at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pa. In addition she was the assistant women's basketball coach at Wilmington University (2012-2014) in New Castle, Del., and the head women's volleyball coach at Manor College (2012-2013).

Rotimi began her coaching career at Delaware County Community College where she served as the head women's basketball coach and head women's volleyball coach for two seasons (2008-2010).

Rotimi was a standout basketball player at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. She finished with the most career double-doubles in Lady Lion history (37). Rotimi scored 921 points with 814 rebounds over four seasons (2003-2007). During her career, she averaged 12.2 points and 10.8 rebounds. In 2005 she was inducted in Lincoln University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Rotimi earned a bachelor's degree in health science from Lincoln and a master's degree in public administration with a graduate certificate in sports management and athletics from West Chester in 2011.