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The World Needs Visionaries
Claflin President Henry N. Tisdale Responds to Las Vegas Tragedy 
Our nation is once again numbed after another tragic act of violence that has claimed so many lives. A gunman reportedly killed at least 58 people and wounded more than 500 in Las Vegas during a concert on Sunday, October 1. The death toll may rise given the nature of injuries suffered by those admitted in a Las Vegas hospital. I am writing primarily to ask you to pray for the families of the victims. They are hurting because of this mindless act and most of us know all too well how devastating the loss of loved ones can be. Let us also pray that this and similar acts of violence will cease to occur as every life is indeed precious.
 
Henry N. Tisdale
President
Claflin University to Celebrate Diversity and Multicultural Engagement at Annual Global Night Festival 

Claflin University will celebrate its diversity and multicultural engagement during the Annual Global Night festival on Thursday, October 5 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Commons Quad.  The outdoor event is distinctively international and coordinated by the Office of International Education and the Global Students Association.

This year's theme is "Around the World at Claflin" and features far away destinations aboard Claflin Flight 1869 -- without leaving Orangeburg.  The event includes exotic culinary delicacies, native folk songs, indigenous arts and crafts and presentations by the university's international students and faculty. Admission is free and the public is invited. A nominal fee will be charged for a passport that will enable attendees to sample various ethnic dishes.

"The purpose of Global Night is to cultivate a campus culture that embodies both global diversity and the interconnectivity consistent with Claflin's strategic goal of diversity and inclusion," said Dr. Patricia DeSouza, assistant professor of Hispanic studies/director of international education. 

 "This type of venue helps create a learning environment that promotes diversity and cross-cultural understanding.  We benefit from the global perspective our international students and faculty brings to campus and an inclusive climate that supports the academic growth of all students. "

The University's international population is represented by over 45 countries and has been increasing annually. For more information, contact the Office of International Education at 803-535-5047 or email pdesouza@claflin.edu.

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. 

For more information and to purchase tickets call (803) 535-5722. 
Claflin University Concert Choir Harvest Fest Carnival Set for October 31
The Claflin University Concert Choir will host its annual Harvest Fest Carnival, on Tuesday, October 31, 7 p.m. at the Jonas T. Kennedy Arena Parking Lot.  Admission is free and area youth are invited to join the campus community and local residents for a safe, family-focused, fun event. The Harvest Fest Carnival is a fundraiser for the CU Concert Choir and offers an alternative to other Halloween activities.  The event will feature music, food, vendor tables, exhibits and interactive games.
 
Local businesses and non-profit organizations can promote and sell products by paying a $25 vendors fee.  All checks or other payments should be made payable to the Claflin University Concert Choir. For more information about the Harvest Fest Carnival, please contact The Department of Music at 803-535-5234 or email to imcgee@claflin.edu.
Student Spotlight 

Freshman biology and political science student Eden Wiggins, continues to channel her creativity and passion for acting while pursuing her academic goals. Wiggins has always desired to showcase her acting and academic talents for the world to see. When the Joppa, MD native is not excelling in the classroom and as a member of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College, she is traveling to auditions.  Her most recent role was in the Netflix, comedy-drama "Orange is the New Black" as 10-year old Suzanne "Crazy Eyes".  She has also appeared in the television series "A Gifted Man", a national AT&T commercial, and retail commercials. 

Jordan Cutler is spending her fall semester studying abroad with the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) Program in Salamanca, Spain. Cutler recently wrote a blog post, "Packing 101: Suitcase Options and How to Fit it All." 
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 The Claflin University International Alumni Association (CUIAA) for being honored as the National Alumni Association of the Year by The National Black College Alumni (NBCA) Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. The award was presented during the NBCA's 6th Annual Legacy of Leaders Alumni Awards Luncheon on Friday, September 29 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Each year, alumni of historically black colleges & universities (HBCUs) are honored for the significant contributions they have made to their respective institutions. 

Tamika Felder, '97, founder of Cervivor will host a book signing on October 14 for her newly released book "Seriously What Are You Waiting For?" at Napa Mount Pleasant in Mount Pleasant, S.C. In the book, Felder shares her secrets for overcoming obstacles, igniting your life, surviving and soaring. Felder is an international speaker on women's health and cancer prevention. She founded Cervivor, a global nonprofit that advocates for Cervical Cancer patients and survivors after she was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer at the age of 25. 
Panther Pride

More than 1000 5th and 6th graders from Orangeburg County Consolidated School Districts 3, 4, & 5 were in attendance Thursday, Sept. 28, at the 2017 Gang Prevention Conference hosted by Claflin University Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) in conjunction with the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety.  The conference was held in Tullis Arena at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center on the campus of Claflin University.

The mission of the conference was to provide activities to the students that will teach them steps to creating a safe community environment for the citizens of Orangeburg County through violence education, intervention and prevention.

The conference featured motivational speakers from the University and community as well as performances by the Claflin University cheerleaders and Greek-lettered organizations and Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School Orange Pride Drumline.

Volunteers included  Claflin University SAAC members and other Claflin student-athletes, coaches, and athletic staff members.

Donations for the conference were provided by several Claflin University departments, Orangeburg YMCA, Sonic Drive In of Orangeburg and the Orangeburg County Library.

October 5, 2017
In This Issue
Connect with Us
@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