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Claflin University to Host Spring 2020 Virtual Commencement Convocation


Claflin University will host its first-ever Virtual Commencement Convocation on Friday, May 15 at 10 a.m. You can watch the event on Claflin's YouTube channel (ClaflinUniversity1) or at www.claflin.edu. 

"The conferring of an undergraduate degree should be a moment in time that one should never forget - and we want to make sure that even in these times, our students are celebrated," said President Dwaun J. Warmack in a letter to the graduating seniors. " Our students have committed and devoted countless hours to earn a degree and we want to help them celebrate this momentous occasion."

Claflin University is also among the 78 Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are coming together on May 16 and 17 for the National HBCU Commencement Weekend. Please see the information below on the events for the weekend. 

More Than 20 Black Leaders Join to Celebrate HBCU Grads during "Show Me Your Walk HBCU Edition"

Like most academic institutions around the country, Historically Black Colleges and  Universities have been forced to cancel or postpone graduation ceremonies due to the COVID-19 outbreak. To celebrate the achievements of more than 27,000 students, Black leaders and 78 schools are joining forces virtually during the "Show Me Your Walk HBCU Edition" commencement event presented by Chase on May 16, at 2 p.m. EST. You can view the event on Essence Live Stream and HBCU Connect Facebook.
 
President Barack Obama will share a special message during the event. Hosted by Kevin Hart, guest appearances for the two-hour event will include Steve Harvey, Chase Consumer Banking CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett, Ariel Investments Co-CEO and President Mellody Hobson, National Urban League president, Marc Morial, and academic leaders from participating HBCUs. Other participants include 10-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul, eight-time NBA All-Star Vince Carter, Debbie Allen and Vivica Fox.
 
The virtual commencement will also include performances by Anthony Hamilton, Wyclef Jean, Omari Hardwick and other musical guests, as well as a drumline mash-up featuring Doug E. Fresh.
 
This event will follow Claflin's 2020 Spring Virtual Commencement on May 15.
 
The 2-hour event will be live-streamed on Chase's YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn channels, as well as HBCU Connect's Facebook page and Essence Studios. More information is available on chase.com/hbcustudent, including a list of participating schools.
 
The idea for hosting a virtual commencement ceremony for HBCU students was conceived by Dr. Michael Sorrell, President of Paul Quinn College (PQC) and member of the ABP Advisory Council. Additional organizers for the event include Howard University, The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the National Basketball Association (NBA.) Essence is supporting the event as a live streaming partner.
 
JPMorgan Chase is supporting "Show Me Your Walk HBCU Edition" through its Advancing Black Pathways (ABP) initiative, created to help black communities close historical achievement gaps in three key areas: wealth creation, educational outcomes and career success. Support for HBCUs is a core focus for JPMorgan Chase because of the vital role they continue to play in helping African Americans forge pathways to long-term success. The first HBCUs were founded before the Civil War, and these institutions educated generations of African Americans during a period when other colleges and universities would not.
 
Today, HBCUs produce 70% of African American doctors and dentists, 50% of black lawyers and 80% of black judges. HBCU graduates can also expect work-life earnings of $130 billion-an additional $927,000 per graduate, 56 percent more than they could expect to earn without their HBCU degrees or certificates, according to UNCF.

Nas & A$AP Ferg To Take Part In D-Nice's Virtual #ShowMeYourWalk HBCU Grad Party

Following the virtual National HBCU Commencement Celebration on May 16, DJ D-Nice will host the #ShowMeYourWalk HBCU Grad Party at 9 p.m. EST on his Instagram Live. Nas and A$AP Ferg will also take part in the online celebration.  You can join the Instagram Live party by clicking here.
 
In addition to honoring 2020 graduates and their institutions, the #ShowMeYourWalk HBCU Grad Party will raise funds for participating schools and their students. 

National HBCU Commencement Weekend Celebration Concludes with Cookout

Continue the celebration of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with the "HBCU Cookout" hosted by All Def and Watch The Yard. Powered by Facebook, the HBCU Cookout will be an epic party for the culture and closeout to a fantastic weekend of #Graduation2020 celebrating #HBCUgrad2020. Join the event by clicking here.

Register Now for Online Summer Courses

Register now for online classes being offered this summer ( May 18-June 23). Pell Grant and other financial aid is available. Current students can register on MyClaflin.

If you have any additional questions, please call the Office of Admissions at (803) 535-5382. Click here for a list of courses.

May 14, 2020
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@Claflin is published by the Office of Communications & Marketing 
President: Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack
Vice President for Institutional Advancement: Rev. Dr. Whittaker V. Middleton, '73
Assistant Vice President for Communications & Marketing: George Johnson Jr.
Public Relations Director: J. Craig Cotton
Public Relations/Social Media Coordinator: Charnita Mack
Web Communications Manager: Colin Myers, '07
Sports Information Director: Romanda Noble-Watson
Photographers: Cecil Williams, '60, Geoff Henderson and Colin Myers, '07