The World Needs Visionaries
Claflin University to Participate in MADE in SC Initiative through $20 Million National Science Foundation Research Grant
Claflin University has been selected to participate in a consortium funded by a $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for research to enhance advanced materials and manufacturing.  Claflin will collaborate with nine other universities and colleges throughout South Carolina to increase research and improve the pipeline of diverse and highly-skilled workers for these new industries.  The grant will also fund new research infrastructure at institutions in the consortium that will be accessible to researchers from other South Carolina universities and colleges.

The five-year Research Infrastructure Improvement Track-1 award comes from the NSF's Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research ( EPSCoR) . The new initiative -  Materials Assembly and Design Excellence in South Carolina (MADE in SC) -  comprises a broad spectrum of faculty teams. Claflin joins Clemson University, Medical University of SC and University of South Carolina, the College of Charleston, Furman, USC Beaufort, South Carolina State, and Winthrop as four-year institutions receiving funding from the grant. Florence-Darlington Technical College was also selected as a representative from the state's technical school system.  Each school will receive a portion of the grant to hire researchers; invest in training postdoctoral fellows, graduate, and undergraduate students; conduct outreach to K-12 schools and the public; and develop new facilities.

"We are extremely pleased and excited that the National Science Foundation included Claflin in this important initiative that supports research and the role of higher education in South Carolina in preparing graduates for STEM-focused careers," said Dr. Angela Peters, vice provost for academic programs at Claflin.

Claflin will receive $450,000 over five years to assist with the Master of Science in biotechnology degree program.  Dr. Verlie Tisdale, dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics will serve as the institutional director for the project at Claflin. The award will also fund undergraduate and graduate research, improve educational training and increase the University's role in workforce development, especially for underrepresented minorities. 

Dr. Bijoy Dey, Dr. Jie Ling and Dr. Nicholas Panasik, three chemistry/biology professors at Claflin, will also assist with implementing the grant.

Dey will be a contributing faculty member with Made in SC's Multiscale Modeling and Computation (MMC) Core for Materials Research and Cyberinfrastructure Development.   Ling will be a contributing member of MADE in SC's Research Thrust 1: Hierarchical Structures with Controlled Optical and Magnetic Properties. Panasik will be a contributing member of MADE in SC's Thrust 3: Rational Design of Interactive Biomaterials.

In addition to contributing faculty, Claflin will offer research opportunities for 10 undergraduates and 13 biotechnology graduate students. The University will provide equipment and facilities to the MADE in SC consortium including use of the Molecular Science Research Center.

"We are very excited about Claflin University's involvement in this NSF grant," said Dr. Nadim Aziz, the program's state office director. "The opportunities for training of undergraduate and graduate students and for workforce development, as well as the use of Claflin's equipment in this research, will help strengthen South Carolina's efforts in becoming a premiere state for materials research."
Music Education Program Receives Accolades
Claflin University's music education program was recently recognized in an article published by College Magazine's titled  "6 Inspiring HBCUs for Music Education Programs."  

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education is designed for students who plan to teach music in levels K-12. It also prepares students to pursue graduate studies in music education and performing areas including piano, vocal, or instrumental music. 

Last month, the University's music education program was ranked 10th among other universities in the country on College Magazine's "10 Cutting Edge College Music Education Programs" list. Claflin University was the only HBCU on the list. 
Claflin University Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Claflin University officially began its celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month with a kickoff event on Wednesday, September 27 featuring musical selections by the Claflin University Jazz Ensemble and Mariachi Los Cabos Band.  The celebration will continue throughout the month of October with a film showing of "Nine Queens - Nueve Reinas. " Later in the month, a panel discussion on immigration will be held.
 
The theme for this year's National Hispanic Heritage Observance Month is "Shaping the Bright Future of America." Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contribution of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, The Caribbean and Central and South America. 
Faculty Development Workshop: "Beyond the Skills Gap: Preparing College Students for Life and Work"


The Office of the Provost, the Faculty Development Committee and the Carolina Cluster Career Pathways Program  hosted a faculty development workshop titled "Beyond the Skills Gap: Preparing College Students for Life and Work." The guest speaker for the workshop held on September 21 was Dr. Matthew Hora, assistant professor at the University Wisconsin-Madison.  

Hora presented the faculty with labor market predictions, strategies for developing career-centered curriculum and employable skills and identifying behavioral norms for the workplace.  "Implementing peer instruction and various responsive teaching methods develops students' analytical skills and equips students with transferable skills that can be used in the classroom and workplace," stated Hora, assistant professor of adult teaching and learning. 
 
"Dr. Hora reframed the skills gap dialogue and provided reassurance that the Career Pathways Initiative is not solely focused on training students for a specific job, but educating students for their entire working lives. We are cultivating twenty-first century habits to develop lifelong learners who can adapt to a constantly changing work environment," shared Cathy Franklin, Executive Director of Carolina Cluster Career Pathways Program.
Claflin University Student Named an HBCU All-Star
The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) announced its 2017 HBCU All-Stars at the Annual Summit hosted at the White House on Monday, September 18, 2017. Senior business administration major Hillary Mokaya was one of the 62 students who were recognized as All-Stars for their outstanding accomplishments.
 
The All-Stars are appointed for one year to serve as ambassadors of the White House Initiative on HBCUs. The All-Stars provide outreach opportunities and communications to their fellow students about the value of education and the Initiative as a networking resource. Selected from a wide-range of applicants, the All-Stars came highly recommended from HBCU administrators and proved impressive beyond their resumes, transcripts and thorough applications.
Claflin University Theatre Ensemble to Perform During Atlanta Black Theatre Festival Performance

The Claflin University Theatre Ensemble will perform at the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival on October 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center located in Decatur, Ga. Classic Man, written by Crystal Payne, '16, is a one-act play that explores mass incarceration among men of color. 
 
The play deals with four men of varying ages facing a variety of charges and sentences as they face challenges within themselves, with each other, and God while being imprisoned. 
 
"It is my hope that the production spotlights the amazing talent that we have at Claflin University," Said Annette Grevious, associate professor of speech and drama. "I hope it sparks conversation regarding mass incarceration of men of color, their plight as they return to society, and what we as a community may be able to do to combat the problem and help these men transition back into society to lead productive and successful lives," she said. 

The cast includes students Kyreese Blocker, Steven Fuller, Stephens Johnson, Hector Rodriguez, and Meleq Williams as well as alumni  Nathan Gamble, '17; Richard Ortiz, '16; and Ar'Darius Stewart, '17. Assistant Professor of Speech and Drama Cedric Rembert will be joining the Atlanta cast.
Claflin University Celebrates National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month with Lunch and Learn
Faculty and staff gathered in the Orange and Maroon Room on Thursday, September 21 for the "Health and Wellness According to Your Blood Type" Lunch and Learn. The interactive event was held in observance of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month and was led by Dr. Joy Scott, nutritionist, weight loss coach and superfoodist. Scott discussed the importance of eating for your blood type, the benefits of taking supplements and eating whole foods. 
Claflin University Hosts Annual UNCF Community Prayer Breakfast
Photo courtesy of the Times and Democrat
Claflin University will host its 16th annual United Negro College Fund Community Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, October 7, at 9 a.m. in the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center. The prayer breakfast is a fundraiser to support scholarships for students at Claflin University.
 
The Rev. Stanley Rivers, pastor of Williams Chapel AME Church in Orangeburg, will be the keynote speaker.  The program also includes performances by the Claflin University Gospel Choir D.R.E.A.M. and The Community Prayer Breakfast Ministers' Choir. 
 
Admission is $250 per table (10 seats) and $15 for individual tickets. The deadline to purchase tickets is Wednesday, October 4. 

For more information and to purchase tickets call (803) 535-5722. 
Employee News

Reverend Dr. Ernest C. Etheredge has been appointed interim chaplain of Claflin University. Rev. Etheredge previously served as the University chaplain and most recently was the District Superintendent of the Walterboro District of The United Methodist Church from 2004 to 2012.
 
Rev. Etheredge has also  served as an adjunct professor at Benedict College and Columbia College. In addition, he has served as the minister of visitation for Francis Burns United Methodist Church.
 
He was educated in the public schools of Saluda County and graduated from Riverside High School in June 1964. He continued his education at Lander University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in sociology. He later received a Master of Divinity degree from Gammon Seminary at the International Theological Seminary of Atlanta in 1981. He also attended Erskine Theological Seminary in Due West, S.C., where he earned a doctorate in ministry.
 
Rev. Etheredge has served The United Methodist Church on both the district and conference levels, including committee on ordained ministry, congregational development, and pastoral care and counseling. He was elected to the 2008 General Conference held in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas and elected to the 2008 Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church.
 
Rev. Etheredge was the pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church from 2001 to 2004.
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]. 
Panther Pride
After playing its first 10 matches on the road to start the season, the Claflin University women's volleyball team will host North Greenville on Wednesday, September 27 in its 2017 home-opener game. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. in Tullis Arena on the campus. Click here for live stats and live video. 
 
The Lady Panthers enter the game with a 3-7 overall record. North Greenville brings a 6-6 overall record into the contest.  This is the second meeting between the teams this season.
 
Claflin will return to the road for its next four contests, beginning Friday when they play Benedict. The Lady Panthers will face Paine College in Augusta, Ga., on October 3 before making up road games with UNC-Pembroke on October 5 and Fayetteville State on October 6.
 
Claflin will return home on October 12 to host Albany State in its Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) home opener.
September 27, 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
Student Workers: Nathaniel Fields, Alexis Garner, Timothy Lyons and Curtis Patterson