The World Needs Visionaries
International African-American Museum President and CEO To Deliver Keynote Message at Claflin's 148th Founders' Day Convocation
 
 

Michael Moore, president and chief executive officer for the International African-American Museum in Charleston, S.C., will deliver the keynote address at Claflin University's 148th Founders' Day Convocation on Sunday, November 19 at 4 p.m. in Tullis Arena at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center. Admission is free and the public is invited. The convocation will be streamed live

Claflin University was founded in 1869 and named in honor of Lee Claflin, a prominent Methodist layman from Boston, and his son William Claflin, then governor of Massachusetts. With "the only admission requirements for prospective students being the possession of good moral character and a conscientious desire to learn," Claflin University offered, for the first time in South Carolina, quality higher education for men and women "regardless of race, complexion, or religious opinion." The annual Founders' Day Convocation celebrates Claflin's proud legacy as the first historically black college/university in South Carolina (HBCU) and for producing graduates who are engaged visionary leaders with global perspectives. 

Moore, the museum's first president and CEO, was appointed in March 2016 by the Board of Trustees. He received a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and a Master of Business Administration from Duke University.  Moore has been a marketing executive for Coca-Cola, General Foods, Kraft Foods and several other global brands.  His dynamic leadership and business career include being credited with raising a nine-figure sum for a corporate acquisition, heading an innovative internet software company, and leading a specialty food company. 

Moore has served on the museum's board for the past few years. In his new role, Moore will be responsible for hiring museum staff and fundraising. His fundraising strategy includes securing grants from foundations and corporate contributions. The International African-American Museum is planned for a site on the former Gadsden's Wharf on the Cooper River, where more than 100,000 slaves were brought into the country. Moore also plans to use the museum's site as a promotion and fundraising tool. The groundbreaking ceremony will be held in March 2018 and the museum is scheduled to open in Spring 2020.

Moore is a great-great-grandson of Robert Smalls, a former slave who in 1862 took command of a Confederate ship in the Charleston Harbor. Smalls sailed the ship past five Confederate forts in the Atlantic Ocean, and then turned it over to Union forces. He then became a captain in the Union Army. After the Civil War, Smalls was elected to both houses of the state Legislature and to Congress.
Reverend Jack C. Washington to Deliver Homecoming Worship Sermon
The Reverend Jack C. Washington '77, will be the guest pastor for Claflin University's annual Homecoming Worship Service on Sunday, November 19 at 9:30 a.m. in the James and Dorothy Z. Elmore Chapel. 
 
Washington is the pastor at I. DeQuincey Newman UMC in Columbia, S.C. He is a native of Berkeley County in St. Stephen, S.C. and a graduate of Russellville High School. Washington earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and philosophy at Claflin University and his Master of Divinity degree in missiology at Gammon Theological Seminary (ITC) in Atlanta Ga.
 
Washington has an extensive educational background in the Theology of Mission.  His ministerial passion and leadership provided him opportunities to serve churches at the local, jurisdictional, and general levels within the United Methodist Church. Washington also served as a leader in the SC Conference for 44 years, including 15 years as associate director for managing the mission/outreach area. 
 
Among the United Methodist churches Washington pastored were: St. Jude, St. James, and Murrells Inlet in North Charleston, S.C. He also served at Edisto Fork Parish in Orangeburg, S.C. and Mt. Zion in Kingstree, S.C.
 
Washington retired from active pastoral duties in June, 2012. However, he was appointed a retired supply pastor in 2013 at I. DeQuincey Newman UMC in Columbia, S.C.  He was appointed pastor in July 2015 of the Canaan - Sand Hill Charge in Ridgeville, S.C., and in June 2016, Washington returned to his present position at I. Dequincey Newman UMC.
 
Washington is a dedicated social justice advocate and he served as a member of the Southeastern Jurisdiction Ministry Network Group for churches with small memberships for 21 years. He also traveled to Western Europe and Africa representing the United Methodist Church.  His first trip to Zimbabwe, Africa was April 1994 to witness the consecration service and official opening of Africa University. His second trip was November 2002 when he participated in the dedication service of the Faculty House of Theology Building, built and paid for by South Carolina Conference.
 
Washington is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and  Prince Hall Free & Accepted Mason, St. John Lodge # 349, Pineville, S.C.  He is married to Mrs. Johanna Anderson Washington of Cross, S.C. He is the father of five adult children and grandfather to 10 grandchildren.
Travis Barnes to be Crowned 2017-2018 Mister Claflin University
Travis LaRoyce Elmara Barnes will be crowned Mister Claflin University 2017-2018 during the Mister Claflin University Crowning Ceremony on Wednesday, November 8 at 7 p.m. in the W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center.  The free, public ceremony will feature performances, campus and organizational kings, special tributes and the crowning of Barnes. 

Barnes is a Lancaster, S.C., native, but now calls Charlotte, N.C., home.  The senior mass communications major and psychology minor is actively involved on campus. He served as the University's mascot during his freshman and sophomore years and is currently a member of the Claflin University Tour Guide Association, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Inc. Barnes also worked as a residential assistant in Claflin Commons.

As Mister Claflin, Barnes intends to implement his platform "Be Yourself and Uplift." He hopes to launch programs and events that foster teamwork and allow students to showcase their unique talents, without fear of judgment or losing their individuality. 

Upon graduating from Claflin, Barnes plans to continue his education at Queens University to pursue a masters degree in communications and be commissioned into the United States Air Force at the 145th Airlift Wing located in Charlotte, N.C. Additionally, Barnes dreams of expanding his clothing brand, 3>2.96, as well as work as a radio personality.
Qui'Era Evans to be Crowned 2017-2018 Miss Homecoming  
Claflin University junior Qui'Era Evans will be crowned Miss Homecoming 2017-2018 on Sunday, November 12 during the Miss Homecoming Crowning Ceremony at 3 p.m. in Ministers' Hall.
 
Hailing from Washington, D.C., Evans is a mass communications major with a minor in marketing. This 2014 Achievers Scholar is a member of the NAACP, DMV Panthers, and treasurer of her residential hall, SRC North. She also served as a student leader for the summer bridge program.
 
The crowning of Miss Homecoming is one of the official Homecoming Week events at Claflin.  The crowing ceremony is free and open to the public.
 
For a complete listing of the 2017 Homecoming schedule visit www.claflin.edu. You can also follow the homecoming conversation on social media using the hashtag, #IssaHomecoming .
Former NFL Champion Speaks to Honors Leadership Class About Service 

On October 31, m otivational speaker, NFL champion, entrepreneur, minister, and philanthropist David Patten Jr. was a guest lecturer during a junior honors leadership class at Claflin University. His presentation challenged the students to impact the world through service. He also drew from his  experience and insight on faith, perseverance, and teamwork. 

A native of Columbia, S.C., Patten is a retired NFL Champion with 12 years of experience. He has played on several NFL teams including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Washington Redskins and New Orleans Saints. Patten won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and was the sixth player in NFL history to run, catch, and throw for a touchdown in a 38-17 win in which he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for that performance. He earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Western Carolina University and is also an ordained minister. 
Student Spotlights

Reynard Gregory is a senior, business administration major, with a concentration in accounting from Washington, D.C. This past summer, Gregory served as an intern in the Compliance Division of the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) in Washington, D.C. He tracked the spending of businesses based on quarterly expenditure reports to determine if the funds were properly spent. He was enrolled in The Washington Center (TWC) summer program in the area of nonprofit leadership and management. At TWC, he learned the basic functions and operation of non-profit organizations. His awards include BB&T Emerging Leaders Certification and D.C. College Success Foundation Achiever's Recipient. He is a peer mentor for Panther Steps and an orientation leader for the Freshman College. He is a member of Sigma Nu Tau Entrepreneurship Honor Society, Toastmasters, and treasurer of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA).

Ya'Coria Haney is a sophomore biology major from Gaffney, S.C. She is the co-captain of Claflin University's 2017-2018 cheerleading team. Haney has served as a volunteer for several organizations including Claflin University's Arthur Rose Museum, March of Dimes: March for Babies, and most recently Claflin University's Program for Service Learning and Community Service, where in total she has completed more than 30 hours.
Faculty News

Dr. Echol Nix Jr., an assistant professor of religion, is the co-editor of Milestone Documents in African American History, Second Edition. He co-edited this manuscript with his sister, Keturah Nix, a PhD candidate in African American Studies at Purdue University, west Lafayette, Ind. This new edition provides in-depth, analytical essays on 150 iconic documents and speeches from the 1600s to present day. Coverage includes important legislative documents such as the Reconstruction era amendments; critical Supreme Court decisions such as Dred Scott v. Sandford, Plessy v. Ferguson, and Brown v. Board of Education; and historic speeches and writings by leaders such as Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Barack Obama.
Alumni News
Colonel (P) Twanda "Tia" Young, '89, has been selected for promotion to Brigadier General (BG). She will be the first female that was commissioned from the ROTC Program at South Carolina State University (SCSU) to obtain the rank of BG. Claflin University has offered Air Force and Army ROTC programs through a cross-enrollment agreement with SCSU since 1967. Since its inception, more than 120 cadets from Claflin have successfully completed the ROTC program and been commissioned as officers in the U.S. military. Col. Young's promotion is a "first"  for the ROTC program at Claflin University. The  promotion ceremony will be held on December 1 at 11:30 a.m. at Fort Bragg, N.C. at the USARC, Headquarters. 
Panther Pride
Claflin Volleyball Falls to Francis Marion in Final Non-Conference Game of the Season

On November 7, the Claflin University volleyball team lost against Francis Marion, 0-3 (21-25, 12-25, 11-25), in its final non-conference match of the season.  With the loss, the Lady Panthers fell to 7-18 on the season.
 
Claflin will close out the regular season at Clark Atlanta on Friday, November 10. The Lady Panthers will then travel to Birmingham, Ala., to participate in the 2017 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Volleyball Championships on November 14 through 17.


Claflin Men's Basketball Set to Open 2017-2018 Season Panthers Basketball Preview
 
The Claflin University men's basketball program enjoyed a productive 2016-17 campaign in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
 
Claflin shared the East Division title along with Benedict College and Clark Atlanta University. The Panthers gained the division top-seed at the conference tournament a result of its head-to-head record.
 
The accomplishment along with a 17-10 overall record is now part of the program's history. Claflin Coach Ricky Jackson must now turn his attention to the upcoming season.
 
"Our success last season was just another step forward for the program," said Jackson. "As for the upcoming season, I'm excited to see the progress that our players made over the summer on their individual skills. I've also seen the maturation they've gone through after being in the program for two and three years."
 
The Panthers will open the season on Friday, November 10 against Auburn University Montgomery as the favorite to challenge arch-rival Benedict College for the East Division title. Benedict was selected to finish first in the division, while Claflin was picked second by the league coaches and sports information directors.

Claflin will play a 27-game schedule this season that includes teams from four different NCAA Division II conferences, six non-conference matchups and 13 home games.
 
"This schedule will surely be a tough test for us early and prepare us for conference play," Jackson said. "We are taking on top tier teams and I'm anxious to see how we measure up."

Click here for the 2017-2018 men's basketball schedule.
November 8, 2017
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@Claflin is published by the Office of Communications & Marketing 
President: Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, '65
Vice President for Institutional Advancement: Rev. Whittaker V. Middleton, '73
Assistant Vice President for Communications & Marketing: George Johnson Jr.
Public Relations Director: J. Craig Cotton
Social Media and Public Relations Coordinator: Bernita Cooper, '12
Web Communications Manager: Colin Myers, '07
Sports Information Director: Romanda Noble-Watson
Photographers: Cecil Williams, '60, Geoff Henderson and Colin Myers, '07
Student Workers: Nathaniel Fields, Alexis Garner, Timothy Lyons and Curtis Patterson