The World Needs Visionaries
A Message From the President Regarding Hurricane Harvey

This week, Hurricane Harvey blasted several Gulf Coast states. We are seeing the devastation and plight of those impacted by the hurricane through various media, leaving us distraught along with the rest of the country. Today, I want to thank campus organizations and individuals who have already responded with support and relief to flood victims and their families.
 
Regarding Claflin University's response, I am aware that our Division of Student Development and Services and student leaders are working on a campus-wide plan of action to be implemented immediately. We will inform you of that plan and how you can be involved.

I am also aware that the Office of Alumni Relations has reached out to alumni asking all Claflinites to join in prayer and to help identify other alumni who are struggling with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. We also want to reach out to our own students, faculty and staff who may be affected by this tragedy. Let us remain united and "Claflin Strong."
 
I challenge all members of the Claflin University family and community to respond with concern, prayers, and finances and other acts of caring. Take advantage of opportunities, especially those on campus, to become involved in expressing your feelings and acting on the desire to contribute to the relief effort.
 
I am confident that the Claflin family and community will rise to the occasion and generously respond with prayer and meaningful relief efforts. While our hearts and prayers extend to all victims and their families, we accept this challenge with faith that God is leading us.

Sincerely,
Henry N. Tisdale, President 
Claflin President to Give State of University Address at 148th Matriculation Day Convocation


Claflin University will host its 148th Matriculation Day Convocation at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 7 in the Edward L. Tullis Arena at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center with the theme "Claflin LEADS: A Shared Vision for the 21st Century." All students, faculty and staff participate and the general public are also invited to attend.

The Matriculation Day Convocation is one of Claflin's treasured traditions and marks the official beginning of the new academic year. It is highlighted by the State of the University Address by President Henry N. Tisdale, the installation of Student Government Association officers and performances by the University's musical groups, including the Concert Choir, D.R.E.A.M. (Gospel Choir) and Wind Ensemble.  

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held following the convocation at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center for Claflin's new Health and Wellness Center. The project will expand and renovate the existing gymnasium to provide holistic health, nutrition, and life-long wellness education to the campus community and local residents. The ultra-modern facility will include a fitness center, demonstration kitchen, walking track, office space, classrooms and a farmer's market with locally-sourced foods.

The Class of 2021 is the most academically talented and diverse group in the University's history. Claflin's total enrollment for the 2017-18 academic year is expected to reach an all-time high of more than 2,000 students. This year's freshmen were selected from the University's largest-ever pool of applicants. The Class of 2021 is comprised of 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. The Class of 2021 also has a significant number of international students. 

The leading academic majors of 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. The class also has an impressive 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.

The expectation for the new academic year is to continue Claflin's upward trajectory toward achieving recognition as a leading 21st Century institution of higher education that develops a diverse and inclusive community of globally engaged visionary leaders.  

You can watch the 148th Matriculation Day Convocation service live on September 7 at 11 a.m. by clicking here
Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College Hosts Induction Ceremony
 


The Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College at Claflin University welcomed 58 freshman students and 15 new inductees during its induction ceremony on Tuesday, August 29 in the James and Dorothy Z. Elmore Chapel. "This is one of our best groups ever," said First Lady Alice Carson Tisdale, director of the Honors College. "This year's freshman class includes nine Presidential Scholars, seven Palmetto Scholars, seven students who were class valedictorians as high school seniors and seven who were salutatorians of their senior class."
 
The Honors College provides a full academic and college experience that includes high-level learning, ongoing academic advising, cultural enrichment opportunities, community service experiences, and other programs designed to enhance and develop the student's academic and leadership potential.
 
Honors students take special honors courses in their core curriculum and within their specific areas of study. Honors courses are accelerated and academically challenging, highlighted by active engagement, collaborative problem solving, and a greater amount of reflective thinking.
Black College Fund Executive Visits Claflin University

Dr. Cynthia Bond Hopson, assistant general secretary for The Black College Fund, paid a special visit to Claflin University on Tuesday, August 29. The Black College Fund of The United Methodist Church provides financial support for 11 United Methodist-related historically Black colleges for faculty development, funding to maintain infrastructure, and funding for students who need financial support and scholarships.

During her visit, Dr. Hopson Hopson's visit, met with President Tisdale, University cabinet members, and religion faculty. She also met with Claflin's Lina H. McCord interns, Brittani V. Levine and Taylor J. Willis. The Lina H. McCord Summer Intern Program is sponsored by the Black College Fund. The program is named after longtime executive director, the late Lina H. McCord. Potential interns must be recommended by their chaplain and college or university president to participate.

As Lina H. McCord interns, Levine and Willis travel throughout the year across United Methodist jurisdictions and annual conferences representing the Black College Fund and the General Board of Higher Education Ministry. After successfully completing one year as an intern, they have the opportunity to become ambassadors, a permanent designation, which allows continued travel and representation of the program.
Claflin President Elected Vice President and Chair of the Division of Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church
Claflin University President Henry N. Tisdale was elected vice president and chair of the Division of Higher Education (DHE) of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) of The United Methodist Church. The announcement was made following the August meeting of GBHEM board of directors in Nashville, Tenn.

The DHE is responsible for representing The United Methodist Church in its relationships with educational institutions and collegiate ministries. As chair and vice president, Tisdale will also serve as a member of the executive committee. 
 
Dr. Tisdale was elected to the board of directors of the GBHEM last year. He will remain in his roles with GBHEM committees which include the Administrative Matter Committee, Racial and Ethnic Concerns Committee, and chair of the Division of Higher Education Committee and Personnel and Policies Committee. Members of the Board are appointed for one four-year term and they can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
 
GBHEM's mission is to "lead and serve The United Methodist Church in the recruitment, preparation, nurture, education, and support of Christian leaders - lay and clergy - for the work of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." 
 
GBHEM board members are key leaders who assume responsibility on behalf of the community for the governance and financial oversight of the organization and its various programs. As stewards, they are committed to maintaining the health and viability of GBHEM now and for the future.
Arthur Rose Museum Showcases "Progression" 

Claflin University's Arthur Rose Museum is one of 15 institutions that will host an exhibition of artwork for the South Carolina Arts Commission. The year-long celebration is a part of the Commission's 50th Anniversary of Artist Fellowships. Claflin University's exhibition, titled Progression, was curated by Tabitha Ott, instructor of art at Claflin. The exhibition is supported by the South Carolina Arts Commission, South Carolina Arts Foundation and First Citizens Bank.
 
The exhibition will be presented at Claflin University on September 5 through October 27. An opening reception will be held on September 13 from 5 until 7 p.m.
 
The fifteen artists participating in the exhibition are Clay Burnette, Karen Davies, Mark Flowers, Jean Grosser, Mana Hewitt, Diane Hopkins Hughes, Kim Keats, Larry Lebby, Peter Lenzo, Lee Malerich, Linda McCune, Phil Moody, Philip Mullen, Paula Smith, and Michelle van Parys.
 
The Arthur Rose Museum is a part of the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor, which is a federally designated National Heritage Area extending from the Appalachian Mountains to Charleston through 17 counties of South Carolina. The Museum began as the university's first library building in 1898. Priscilla E. Lee Bennett donated funds to erect the first library and asked that the building bear her maiden name, Lee, and that the name be inscribed on a Claflin University, terra-cotta tablet next to the front porch.
 
The library architect, William Wilson Cooke, was a Claflin graduate who had returned to teach. While teaching at Claflin, Cooke drew plans for the Lee Library in the current Victorian style and supervised its execution by his students in 1898. The students fired the bricks in kilns dug on the campus. 
 
After the library relocated to another part of the campus, this building housed the art department for many years with Professor Arthur Rose as the chairman. Later, the art department moved to its current location in Layman Hall. After the board of trustees decided to convert the old Lee building into a museum, an effort progressed to restore much of the original appearance of the interior of the building which included removing the carpet to reveal the beautiful hardwood floors.
 
For more information about the exhibit, Progression, please call the Arthur Rose Museum at (803) 535-5324. 
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,  zelee@claflin.edu, or  Derrick L. Quarles, '14, m anager of the Annual Fund/Alumni Relations, at ( 803) 535-5311,  dquarles@claflin.edu
Alumni News
Congratulations to Leighann Black, '12, a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. Black is also a fourth-year medical student at the University of South Carolina - School of Medicine in Greenville, S.C. and a student in the Health Professions Scholarship Program.


Rev. Johnny N. Jackson, '67, has been elected to serve on the  Spartanburg School District 2 board. A product of District 2 schools, Jackson was sworn in on May 9, 2017.



SFC Beverly A. Knox, 11 , and her husband, SFC Ray A. Knox Sr. were recently showcased on WIS TV for their service to the military. Beverly is a  non commissioned officer in the U.S. Army and she served two tours of duty during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After retirement, she earned a bachelor's degree from Claflin University. (Photo courtesy of WIS TV)

First Lieutenant Khristen K. Murdock, '15, Bravo Company, 266th Quartermaster Battalion, is currently attending the Army Trial Camp for Women's Softball until September 18 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. If selected for the All Army squad, she will represent the service in the Armed Forces Women's Softball Championship scheduled for September 18 through 24 at Joint Base San Antonio, Tex. Good luck, First Lt. Murdock! (Photo courtesy of Defense Video Imagery Distribution System)


The Washington, DC Chapter of the Claflin University International Alumni Association gathered for its "Meet and Greet" on July 29, 2017, at the  St. Baranabas Episcopal Church in  Upper Marlboro, Md.
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August 30, 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