The World Needs Visionaries
Dr. Henry N. Tisdale Presents Presidential Citations for Exemplary Leadership and Community Engagement at Claflin's 148th Founders' Day Convocation

Kenneth Middleton, The Honorable Michael C. Butler, '83, Marion F. Moore, Rosa Kennerly-Dance, '71, and Johnnie Wright Sr. 
 
Six exceptional visionary leaders received Presidential Citations during Claflin University's 148th Founders' Day Convocation on Sunday, November 19, in the Tullis Arena of the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center.

Orangeburg Mayor, The Honorable  Michael C. Butler, '83, was among the honorees who received the prestigious award from Claflin President Henry N. Tisdale. Butler was recognized for his distinguished accomplishments as the first African-American mayor of Orangeburg, S.C. Butler also serves as a role model for civic engagement and he is a staunch advocate of human rights and social justice.

Rosa Kennerly-Dance, '71 , was honored for her exemplary leadership as president of the Orangeburg Chapter of the Claflin University International Alumni Association and her untiring support of fundraising efforts that provide financial assistance to deserving Claflin students.

Kenneth Middleton was cited for his commitment to improving the lives of Orangeburg residents and for  his dynamic leadership as chairman of the Board of Directors for the Orangeburg County Development Commission.
 
Michael Moore,  president and CEO of the International African American Museum in Charleston, S.C., was honored for his unwavering commitment and dedication in spearheading the construction of the International African-American Museum. Moore was the keynote speaker for Claflin's Founders' Day Convocation.  The groundbreaking ceremony for the Museum will be held in March 2018 and the facility is scheduled to open in Spring 2020. 

Marion F. Moore, president of Century 21 The Moore Group, was recognized for  creating affordable housing and employment opportunities for the citizens of Orangeburg and surrounding communities.

Johnnie Wright Sr., chairman of the Orangeburg County Council was cited for being  a stalwart for community service that enhances the lives of Orangeburg County residents.

"We are extremely fortunate to have elected officials, civic leaders and representatives from the non-profit sector in our community who are committed to improving the social, economic and educational conditions of residents of the state and the region," said President Tisdale. "Each of these recipients are very deserving of this special recognition."
Donors Honored at Annual Leadership Giving Luncheon; President and First Lady Recognized for Philanthropic Efforts  
 

Rev. Whitakker V. Middleton presents award to President Henry N. Tisdale and First Lady Alice Carson Tisdale.

On November 17, Claflin University honored more than 200 individuals who have made gifts to the university at the leadership level of $1,000 and above at the annual Leadership Giving Luncheon. The program has been a tradition at Claflin University since 1996. Each year at the luncheon, donors are given thank-you gifts and recognized by their categories of giving. Leadership gifts this year totaled more than $726,000.
 
The special honorees at this year's luncheon were President Henry N. Tisdale and First Lady Alice Carson Tisdale. The tenure of Claflin President Henry N. Tisdale and First Lady Alice Carson Tisdale has been nothing short of remarkable and exemplary. Closing in on 24 years of service at the first historically black college or university in South Carolina, the Tisdales have led a transformation that has propelled Claflin University to prominence in higher education for academic excellence and an uncompromising commitment to student success.
 
Upon his return to lead his alma mater in 1994, President Tisdale set in motion his vision that Claflin be recognized as a leading 21st Century institution of higher education that develops a diverse and inclusive community of globally engaged visionary leaders. Claflin is well on its way to achieving that vision. To illustrate that assertion, President Tisdale doubled student enrollment and added several new academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Claflin consistently has been ranked among the nation's Top Ten HBCUs by U.S. News and World Report.

Under President Tisdale's leadership, Claflin's historic campus has improved with the construction of new buildings, including the Kleist Living and Learning Center, the Student Residential Center, the University Dining Center, the University Music Center, the Molecular Science Research Center, the James and Dorothy Z. Elmore Chapel and Claflin Commons. Through his tireless and strategic visionary leadership, Dr. Tisdale has earned the well-deserved reputation as a transformative leader among his contemporaries in higher education.
 
Moreover, Dr. Tisdale, in partnership with Claflin's Board of Trustees and the Division of Institutional Advancement, led the most successful Capital Campaign in the history of the University, a fundraising effort that raised over $105 million and surpassed its initial goal of $96.4 million.
 
First Lady Alice Carson Tisdale has been exceptional in her own right. It was no accident that in 1996, Mrs. Tisdale was honored by the Claflin University Board of Trustees by the renaming of the University's honors program - The Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College. The honor provided a platform for the First Lady to make a difference in the lives of many students selected for the Honors College. Under Mrs. Tisdale's direction, the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College has been strengthened and expanded to reflect Claflin's commitment to cultivating academically outstanding students. Admission standards were raised and measures taken to enhance the honors students' experience on every level to prepare them for success in graduate and professional schools, and as leaders in their professions and society.
 
The First Lady's support and influence go beyond the walls of Claflin University. She has a ubiquitous presence on a slate of community boards and organizations. She serves on the Governor's Mansion and Lace House Commission. She also served as past national president and secretary/treasurer of the National Association of African American Honors Programs; past board chair of the Orangeburg County Salvation Army, and past board chair of the Orangeburg County Community of Character. She is a member and co-founder/director of the "Praise Kids" Children's Christian Theater at Trinity United Methodist Church. She is a very popular motivational speaker for children and people of all ages.
 
Understanding the need for strengthening Claflin's academic profile in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines, the Tisdales established the Henry N. and Alice Carson Tisdale Endowed Professorship in STEM. The creation of this positon supports the growing reputation Claflin has earned for producing graduates from STEM programs. Claflin University is one of the region's leading liberal arts universities and its emphasis on STEM aligns with career opportunities in today's workplace.
 
The Tisdales have also established endowed scholarship funds. The Henry N. Tisdale Endowed Scholarship Fund assists students from Williamsburg County who are freshmen pursuing careers in STEM. The Alice Carson Tisdale Endowed Scholarship Fund assists students who are freshmen with a minimum high school GPA of 3.25 pursuing a career in elementary, middle or secondary education.
 
Having a keen eye for aesthetics, the Tisdales were instrumental in putting one of the final touches in the James and Dorothy Z. Elmore Chapel. The rose window above the choir loft was a gift from them in honor of their parents Walter and Willa M. Tisdale and Charles C. and Virginia L. Carson. The rose window was the last of the stained glass windows installed in the chapel during the 2007 fall semester. The window was created by nationally-renowned artist and Claflin graduate Dr. Leo Twiggs (Class of 1956) at the request of President Tisdale. The colorful, artistic design of the window is a reflection of Twiggs' inspiration of the Tisdales' ability to complement each other in a very special way.
Alumni Notes
Kristen Bell, '13, was recently selected as the 2017-2018 Elementary Teacher of the Year at Chapman P-8 in Huntsville, Ala. Bell began her teaching career with Teach for America and is in her fourth year as a teacher and currently teaches fourth grade.

Trial will premiere on  Saturday, December 2 at 7 p.m. in the W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Auditorium at Claflin University. The film is directed by Alan M. Brooks, '11, and produced by Jose A. Rivera-Garcia, a former Claflin University assistant professor of biology. The movie emphasizes faith as the factor for belief.  Admission with a Claflin Student ID and for the general public is $5.


Congratulations to Brittney Carter McKinnon, '11, on being named "One of the Top 25 African American PR Millennials to Watch" by Huffington Post. The feature highlights McKinnon's journey of growing up in South Carolina and establishing a successful public relations and social media firm. Carter is the CEO of B. Carter Solutions, LLC based in Washington, D.C.
Panther Pride
Claflin Men Hold Off Young Harris in Non-Conference Action

The Claflin University Panthers withstood a late second-half surge in defeating Young Harris College, 69-62, in an NCAA Division II men's basketball game Wednesday, November 29.  With the non-conference win, Claflin improves to 6-1 overall and extend its early-season win streak to five games.
 
Claflin will return to the hardwood Thursday, November 30 traveling to Albany State University for a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) East Division matchup.  The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. inside West Campus Arena.  The Panthers will enter the contest as one of four teams with 2-0 divisional records. The group includes Claflin, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University and Fort Valley State University.


Claflin Lady Panthers Closeout Six-Game Road Swing with a Pair of SIAC Games

The Claflin University women's basketball team will closeout its six-game road swing with a pair of Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) East Divisional games. The trip starts at Albany State University on Thursday, November 30 and will conclude against Fort Valley State University on Saturday, December 2.
 
Claflin is 2-4 overall and 1-1 against SIAC oppositions. The Lady Panthers defeated Lane College 58-38 on Saturday, November 25, but fell to LeMoyne-Owen College on Monday, November 27 (57-44).
 

Jaleel Charles Selected as SIAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week

Claflin University men's basketball player Jaleel Charles has been named the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Men's Basketball Player of the Week as announced by the league office on Tuesday, November 28.
 
Charles, a 6-9, 225 lbs center, averaged 16 points per game for the week leading Claflin to a 4-1 overall record for the season. The New York native shot 46.4 percent (11-of-24) from the floor and led the Panthers to their first conference win over Lane College. Charles led the Panthers offense as he scored 18 total points and 10 rebounds while adding three blocks and a season-high two steals. Prior to that performance, he posted 14 points in the Panthers victory over St. Augustine's while adding nine rebounds and a block.
November 30, 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: Tydreona Dantzler, Nathaniel Fields, Alexis Garner, Timothy Lyons and Curtis Patterson