@Claflin: Welcome Class of 2021, Alumni Awards, O'burg Most Affordable College Town, and more

The World Needs Visionaries

Claflin Class of 2021 is Largest, Most Talented and Diverse In School History

Claflin University welcomed its Class of 2021 and their families for "Freshmen Move-In Day" and other activities on this past Saturday.

Claflin University's expanding profile as a premier higher education institution is the catalyst for attracting an increasing number of high achieving high school scholars from South Carolina and beyond, President Henry N. Tisdale said in an address to the newest class of aspiring students.

More than 500 freshmen, largest in school history, arrived on campus this past weekend. The Class of 2021 and their parents were greeted by Claflin upperclassmen and alumni who helped carry luggage and other personal items to the residence halls during Saturday's "Move-In Day."

The students had two days of activities that included orientation sessions and presentations by Claflin administrators and staff. The onboarding of the freshman class for the weekend concluded with the "Freshman Parting Ceremony" on Sunday at the W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center. The ceremony is a Claflin tradition that symbolizes the students' separation from their parents and other relatives and the entrance to a new learning phase in their development. The highlight of the ceremony took the Class of 2021 through the Claflin "Arch of Confidence."

"We thank you for bringing your loved ones to us and we promise to take good care of them," Tisdale said prior to the "Parting Ceremony. The Class of 2021 is the largest freshman class in school history. It is also our most diverse and talented freshman class and students were selected from our largest pool of applicants."

The Class of 2021 comprises students from 44 of 46 counties in the state of South Carolina. Richland, Orangeburg, Charleston, Greenville, and Darlington counties have the highest representation. Other states contributing to the class include Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, to name a few. The Class of 2021 also has a significant number of international students.


	Mr. Darastus Glover, Chandlar Glover and Dr. Sandra Glover

"I am very excited about coming to Claflin," said Chandlar Glover, an Orangeburg native and a graduate of the High School for Health Professionals. "I am a biology major and a member in the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College. The rigorous curriculum and the opportunity to study abroad will prepare me to reach my goals of attending medical school and having a successful career in the healthcare industry."

Glover said several relatives who graduated from Claflin and relationships with Dr. Verlie Tisdale, dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Dr. Angela Peters, vice provost for academic programs, influenced her decision to enroll at Claflin.

"Dr. Tisdale and Dr. Peters have mentored and inspired me since I participated in the GEMMS (Girls Embracing Maturity Strength, and Scholarship) and AstroCHEM programs at Claflin," Glover said, alluding to the NASA-funded initiative designed to engage school children's interest in space and chemistry.

The leading majors for the freshman class are biology, business, psychology, computer science and sport management and more than 30 percent of the freshman class are enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs. Tisdale said he is particularly impressed with the number of students whose academic excellence in high school earned them prestigious scholarships. Among this group are 36 students who were awarded Rudolph Canzater Scholarships from the James E. Clyburn Scholarship and Research Foundation. The foundation awarded 125 Canzater Scholarships and Claflin was the institution of choice for more recipients than any other college or university.


	Vithun Muthukumaran and Rajananthini Velummylum

"I hear a lot about Claflin from members of my family," said Vithun Muthukumaran, a native of Sri Lanka who is majoring in computer science. "My uncle, Dr. Somasundaram Velummylum, is a mathematics professor at Claflin and my aunt is an alumnus. However, I moved here from Sri Lanka in July and I saw the campus for the first time when I came here for early registration. I received a full scholarship and I will be in the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College. I am really looking forward to the Claflin experience."

Muthukumaran's aunt, Rajananthini Velummylum, earned a bachelor's degree in computer science at Claflin in 2002. Like her nephew, Mrs. Velummylum was also a student in the Honors College. She currently teaches math at North Middle/High School.

"Mrs. Tisdale also recruited me for the Honors College," she said. "We are very happy that we chose Claflin." Vithun plans to return to Sri Lanka and become an entrepreneur after earning his degree. "I want to help my country by increasing employment opportunities," Muthukumaran said. "I want to recruit businesses to Sri Lanka that create jobs and help the economy."

Claflin made an immediate impression on Ricky Workman, a freshman from Aiken, S.C. While attending Aiken High School, Workman heard about the HBCU-UP Program which allowed him to earn college credit while taking summer classes prior to starting the fall semester.

"I believe the HBCU-UP Program gave me head start on my freshman year at Claflin," said Workman, who will major in computer engineering. "The program helped me become familiar with the campus and the collegiate environment. I am looking forward to the start of classes and the beginning of my Claflin journey."

President Tisdale believes the current freshman class is entering Claflin during one the most exciting times in the university's history. "In 2019 you will be here when Claflin celebrates its 150th anniversary," Tisdale said. "In September, you will witness the groundbreaking of the new health and wellness complex scheduled to open in the fall of 2018. In addition, you will also be the first class to matriculate through the new Claflin University Career Pathway Initiative (CPI)."

Claflin's Career Pathway Initiative is a part of the Carolina Cluster Career Pathways Program. UNCF, through Lily Endowment, Inc., allocated a $6 million grant to Claflin University ($3.3 million), Benedict College ($1.5 million), and Voorhees College ($1.2 million). A portion of the Claflin University grant ($1.8 million) is operating a jointly-established State Coordinating Office to direct and monitor all of the activities of the awarded institutions. The grant provides students a guided career pathway that will carry them through graduation.

"We are extremely proud that Claflin was selected to take the leadership in implementing this grant," Tisdale said. "However, it is consistent with the University's mission of preparing all of our students to become engaged visionary leaders with global perspectives upon graduation from Claflin."

Claflin University to be Honored at 2017 NBCA Legacy of Leaders Alumni Awards

The Claflin University International Alumni Association is being honored as National Alumni Association of the Year by The National Black College Alumni (NBCA) Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. at its Annual Legacy of Leaders Alumni Luncheon on Friday, September 29 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Each year, alumni of historically black colleges & universities (HBCUs) are honored for significant contributions they have made to their respective institution. This event promotes the viability of HBCUs and highlights the accomplishments of their alumni.

Claflin University continues to earn national recognition for excellence in higher education. In a most recent poll, Claflin ranked eighth among the 25 Best Colleges in South Carolina. For 17 consecutive years, Claflin has received national recognition as a leading liberal arts and a "Top Tier" university by prestigious print and online publications, including U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, and Washington Monthly. Claflin was selected as the 2015 HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest and Forbes recently named Claflin the top HBCU in alumni annual giving percentage. The University's 47 percent alumni annual giving percentage ranks among national leaders at all colleges and universities.

The mission of the NBCA Hall of Fame Foundation is to serve as a catalyst and partner for ensuring the stability, strength and excellence of the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities. For more details on the events of the 2017 NBCA Hall of Fame Weekend and information on the programs and initiatives of the Foundation, please click here.

Orangeburg Featured as One of the Most Affordable U.S. College Towns by CBS News

Orangeburg, South Carolina, was recently featured on CBSNews.com as being one of the most affordable U.S. college towns. The ranking was based on the town's median home price and the student population. Orangeburg is unique in that it home to three higher education institutions including Claflin University.

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

In a recent session of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman James Clyburn (left) presented a copy of the Congressional Record to Dr. Leo Twiggs, '56, recognized Twiggs for his achievements and contributions to the State of South Carolina. Twiggs graduated Summa Cum Laude from Claflin University and received his Masters of Arts from New York University. He was the first African American to earn a Doctorate of Art Education from the University of Georgia. Click here to read the complete story from the Times and Democrat. Photo courtesy of the Times and Democrat.

Dr. Leo Twiggs was also featured in a segment on the CBS Evening News on Tuesday, August 15 in response to the terror attack in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dr. Twiggs' work, "Requiem for Mother Emanuel," was mentioned in the segment. Click here to view the story.

Shannon McFadden Franklin, '99, and Melanie Dukes McKnight, '97, were recently named Florence County School District Three's School-Level Teachers of the Year. The announcements were made during the district's annual Opening Ceremony Thursday, August 10. Franklin teaches second grade at Lake City Early Childhood Center and has 11 years of teaching experience. She earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Claflin University and a master of science in elementary education from Grand Canyon University. Additionally, McKnight is a fifth-grade English/language arts and social studies teacher at Olanta Elementary School. She has 20 years of teaching experience. She earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and a master's degree in elementary education from Claflin University.

Dr. Sabrina Marie Porcher-Fennell, '10 , is a new dentist at Neighborhood Health at Lebanon in Lebanon, Tennessee. She was previously a clinical instructor at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. Prior to that, she was a general practice resident with the Department of Veterans Affairs. She earned her doctorate at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry.