@Claflin: Arts Camp, AmeriCorps VISTA, FOCUS100 and more

The World Needs Visionaries

Claflin's Summer Arts Camp to Hold Visual and Performing Arts

Presentations on Friday in Ministers' Hall

Area students participating in Claflin University's Ninth Annual Summer Arts Camp will showcase their talents in visual and performing arts on Friday, June 30, at 5:30 p.m. in Ministers' Hall. Admission is free and the public is invited. The presentation will conclude this year's camp which began on June 19.

The Summer Arts Camp, which was established in 2008, provides art education and instruction to youth in the first through eighth grades. The camp has several goals which include helping youth in the community develop a greater understanding and appreciation for art.

The program is funded in part by the Claflin University Center for Excellence and it also provides Claflin students majoring in art, music, psychology, mass communications, and English education the opportunity to conduct research as counselors. The students are able to measure the youth's interest, knowledge and appreciation for visual and performing arts, improve their teaching skills and gain insight for how art influences learning.

Each year, camp participants create poetry, songs, visual art, and produce a theatric performance based on the theme adopted by the camp. For this year, camp director Annette Grevious, who also serves as an associate professor of speech and drama at Claflin, chose a social justice-related theme - Black Lives Matter.

"I wanted to see how knowledgeable the youth are in terms of what is happening socially with the Black Lives Matter Movement and what has been happening in the past few years as it relates to social injustice," said Grevious. "The students are also creating a mural that will focus on social injustice that will be placed at a location in Downtown Orangeburg."

Although the camp ends Friday, Grevious is already planning for next year. Claflin has received a grant from the South Carolina Arts Commission to host a one-week residential camp for youth in grades six through 10 that will offer classes in art, theater, dance, music, and videography.

For more information on Claflin University's Summer Arts Camp, contact Annette Grevious at (803) 535-5897 or [email protected].

Two Students Volunteer in Orangeburg Through AmeriCorps VISTA Program

Through the AmeriCorps VISTA ( Volunteers in Service to America) program, two Claflin University students have been volunteering at the Zimmerman Boys & Girls Club in Orangeburg with South Carolina Campus Compact. Junior middle-level education major Katelyn Kelly-Morris and junior mass communications major Semoria Mosley have had one goal in mind during this experience, and that is to work with children to prevent summer learning loss.

Through educational activities, temper tantrums and endless games of kickball, Kelly-Morris and Mosley have built bonds with each and every one of them. With Kelly-Morris playing multiplication games and Mosley adding math to musical chairs, the children now look forward to them spending time with them.

Listed below are excerpts from their experience:

"Even though I'm only a VISTA volunteer for the summer, I would volunteer with AmeriCorps for a year. Since you can go to other states, I'm thinking of going to a different one and helping there." - Katelyn Kelly-Morris

"The kids are fun to work with and they definitely keep me on my toes. It can be challenging at times with so many different age groups and needs. But to see the result in the children makes it the coolest job to have." - Semoria Mosley

Both Kelly-Morris and Mosley have been working in the program since June 12. They will complete their assignment on August 6.

Claflin University Board of Visitors Raises Funds for FOCUS100

Established in 2004 by Claflin University's Board of Visitors, The FOCUS100 Scholarship Fund contributes emergency funding assistance to students who might otherwise be forced to forfeit attending school due to short term financial hardships. This scholarship specifically provides tuition fees, housing fees, book stipends and coverage for other unexpected school-related financial emergencies.

The FOCUS100 Scholarship Fund provides a crucial financial bridge allowing students to fulfill their dream of graduating from Claflin University, and helps to eliminate the stress and heartbreak experienced by students forced to terminate degree achievement when personal resources are exhausted.

"Often times when we pray about things, God already sends the answer. T he FOCUS100 scholarship was that answer for me," said Johnasten Cooper, '17. The former Mr. Claflin and criminal justice major received the scholarship during a time when it was needed most - after the passing of his dad. Cooper is now employed at Vanguard as a client relationship specialist.

Each year, contributors to The FOCUS100 Scholarship Fund are given a vehicle decal to showcase their support of the fund. The decal was designed by Claflin University alumnus and Board of Visitors member Dr. Leo F. Twiggs. Donors are also recognized in the annual "Honor Roll of Donors" report published by Claflin University.

To date, more than 1,200 students have been awarded FOCUS100 scholarships. For more information on or to donate to The FOCUS100 Scholarship Fund, please contact Veronica M. Cohen, associate vice president for Major and Planned Gifts at [email protected] or (803) 535-5238.

Claflin Students Donate Clothing to Local Goodwill

For the past seven years, the Department of Residential Life has offered the student body of Claflin University the opportunity to donate clothing items to the local Goodwill. This initiative is done at the end of each school year. Typical donations from the students include shoes, shirts, slacks, and blouses. According to Devin Randolph, assistant vice president of student development services and director of residential life, this year's donation was collected in 12 large bins. "This initiative provides an ongoing opportunity for service among diverse organizations and reflects Claflin's broad-based community involvement," said Randolph. For more information on this initiative, please contact Devin Randolph at [email protected] or call (803) 535-5301.

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

Michael J. Green, '06, of Estill Middle School, has been named Teacher of the Year by Hampton County (S.C.) School District 2. Currently, Green is in his 12th year of teaching and this summer he will complete a masters degree in education leadership administration.