I am excited to welcome you back "home" this weekend for Homecoming 2017! This year, we are celebrating 148 years of excellence "on a hilltop high" with the theme " Claflin LEADS: 

A Shared Vision for the 21st Century."

During this weekend, we are honoring our reunion classes: 1937, 1942, 1947, 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012.  This year's theme reflects the collaboration from alumni, friends, community and more to help us reach a historic feat.

As an alumnus or supporter of this institution, I would like to make sure you are aware of the many things that are occurring at your University. When someone asks you "what's happening at Claflin," I would like for you to be prepared with the correct information. Here are five points of pride that have occurred since the beginning of the 2017 fall semester:

1. Claflin University Helps to Make Orangeburg Strong by Generating $79 Million in Total Economic Impact; New UNCF Study Confirms that Claflin University Contributes to Local and Regional Economies.

Claflin University is an important economic engine in its community, generating substantial economic returns year after year, and a new landmark study commissioned by UNCF (United Negro College Fund) confirms it.  HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Economic Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities documents the significant economic contributions of Claflin University and the nation's network of HBCUs by quantifying their impact on the economy, employment and increased earning power of their students. The study was underwritten by Citi Foundation and the economic estimates were prepared by the University of Georgia's Selig Center for Economic Growth. Key findings of the study are below:

2. The Class of 2021 is the Largest and Most Talented and Diverse Class in the University's History.

The Class of 2021 (which has more than 500 freshmen) 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. The Class of 2021 also has a significant number of international students. Fifty-eight students in the freshman class are in the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College. 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 STEM programs. 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. 

3. Claflin University Has Maintained its "Top Ten" ranking with U.S. News and World Report for HBCUs.

For the seventh consecutive year, Claflin University has earned a place among the top 10 in U.S. News and World Report's annual ranking of the nation's Top 20 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Claflin is ranked ninth by the prestigious publication in its 2018 ranking, which includes 74 HBCUs.

4. Claflin University is Ranked as the Top HBCU in Alumni Giving Percentage by U.S. News and World Report.
Claflin University's leadership in alumni annual giving percentage was recognized by U.S. News and World Report's Short List. Claflin is ranked Number 1 with a 47.7 percent alumni annual giving rate during the two-year period of 2013-14 and 2014-15. The report is based on the 46 HBCUs that submitted data to the publication in an annual survey.

5. Claflin University is Opening a New Health and Wellness Complex in 2018.
The ground breaking ceremony of Claflin's new Health and Wellness Complex on September 7 launched the construction of a dynamic, multi-purpose facility that will provide benefits for the campus community and area residents beyond the walls of the University. This new facility will be "A New Gateway" to South Carolina's oldest HBCU. The Health and Wellness Complex is a 31,000 square-foot facility that will expand and renovate the existing Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center. The complex will provide holistic health, nutrition, and life-long wellness education to the campus community and local residents. The ultra-modern facility will include an auxiliary gym, fitness center, demonstration kitchen, walking track, office space, classrooms, and a farmer's market with locally-sourced foods.

Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, '65

President