The World Needs Visionaries
Claflin University Applauds Release of  First UNCF HBCU Congressional Honor Roll
On March 5, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) released the first HBCU Congressional Honor Roll, recognizing 59 members of Congress for their efforts on behalf of HBCUs and their students. The honor roll will be released annually and highlight members of Congress who have served as true champions and strong advocates for HBCUs and their students beyond their voting records.
 
Congressional support of HBCUs is vital to the continued success and sustainability of these institutions. Recognizing this, as well as the social and economic impact of HBCUs on this country and this state, each of the members recognized has taken strong steps to support these institutions by doing things such as joining the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus or sponsoring legislation beneficial to HBCUs and the students they serve. 
 
" HBCUs like  Claflin University are engines of immense social and economic impact in their communities ," said  Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, president of Claflin University . "But we cannot carry out this work without federal support. The new UNCF honor roll list enables institutional leaders, faculty and students to gauge the support of their elected officials and give them another tool with which to advocate.  We look forward to our senators and representatives joining with us and UNCF to support the HBCU agenda and advance our priorities ."
 
"This new HBCU honor roll empowers the work our institutions began more than 150 years ago and hopefully helps us build on the gains we made during the last Congress," s aid UNCF's President and CEO Dr. Michael Lomax. "These gains included more than $100 million in additional support for HBCUs. However, our institutions still need significant investment in their infrastructure and innovation goals. In addition to releasing this honor roll, today I delivered the first ever 'State of the HBCU Address.' I called on all lawmakers to renew and increase their commitment to HBCUs, the students and the communities they serve by providing additional funding for the Title III Strengthening Institutions Program and setting aside $1 billion for HBCU capital improvement." 
 
To view the full list or to watch the entire "State of the HBCU Address," click here.

Claflin University to Host Gala to Celebrate 25 Years of Visionary and Transformative Leadership by President Henry N. Tisdale and First Lady Alice Carson Tisdale

In honor of 25 years of visionary and transformative leadership by President Henry N. Tisdale and First Lady Alice Carson Tisdale, Claflin University is hosting "A Legacy of Visionary Leadership Gala" on Monday, April 1, 2019, at 6 p.m., at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center (1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, S.C.). The black tie event will feature multi-platinum and Grammy nominated saxophonist and flautist, Najee, and dance music by Columbia, South Carolina's own, the Friends Band.
 
"This event will provide the Claflin community and constituents an opportunity to express our appreciation for the Tisdales' dedicated service and unwavering commitment to academic excellence during their 25-year tenure at the University," said James K. Lehman, chairman of the Board of Trustees and managing partner of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP, of Columbia.
 
"Together, the Tisdales have guided Claflin to new heights and helped secure the University's status as a leading 21st Century institution of higher education. The proceeds from this event will support the endowed scholarship fund the Tisdales have established to support deserving Claflin students," Lehman said.
 
To purchase tickets for the Gala, please call Tammy McCottry at (803) 535-5665. To serve as a sponsor for this event, please call Marcus Burgess at (803) 535-5238. For more information on tickets and sponsorship, please visit  https://alumni.claflin.edu/tisdales-legacy-event- .

President Tisdale to Speak at Local Orangeburg Scholarship Gala
President Henry N. Tisdale will be the keynote speaker for the inaugural "Yes We Can, Yes We Will" Scholarship Gala  at The Cinema (1225 Orangeburg Mall Circle) on Saturday, March 30, at 6:00 p.m.

"Yes We Can, Yes We Will" is an education ministry that was implemented by Rev. Frank James, pastor of St. Stephen United Methodist  Church. The proceeds raised will be used to provide scholarships for students of the church with the goal to eventually include other churches in Orangeburg and surrounding areas.
 
The program will feature local talent as well as the St. Stephen Youth choir who will perform selections from their debut CD.  
 
For ticket and sponsor information, contact Mrs. Gail Jarvis at (803) 682-3006 or Rev. Frank James at (803) 447-3686.

Claflin to Host 13th Annual First Lady's Hats and Gloves Scholarship Tea

The 13th Annual First Lady's Hats and Gloves Scholarship Tea will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at 6 p.m. in the Tullis Arena of the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex . Aligning with the 2019 Women's History Month theme, this year's tea is themed "Visionary Women: Champions of Peace and Nonviolence."

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Alice Carson Tisdale Scholarship, which is presented to female students during the tea. The students are chosen based on need and academic success. 

To purchase tickets, contact Charnita Mack at  charmack@clafilin.edu . Tickets can also be purchased online by clicking here .

Faculty News
Dr. Anthony Broughton, assistant professor of education, was  elected to the National Association for the Education of Young Children Governing Board. NAEYC is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research.


Dr. Kathyrn Silvaassistant professor of history and interim chair of the department of humanities, will serve as a speaker for Time of Tradition & Transition: A Symposium on the South and World War I on March 14-15 at Lander University in Greenwood, S.C. The goal of the symposium is to explain how WWI affected the South's culture, economy, and politics. 

Alumni News

The Greater SC Coastal Alumni Chapters of Claflin University (which consists of Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton & Dorchester counties) will host the 45th Claflin University International Alumni Convention on April 25-28, in North Charleston, S.C. This year's planning committee is pleased to welcome attendees to Charleston, the "birthplace" of Claflin University, where the theme for the Convention is "Visionaries: From the Lowcountry to a Hilltop High."
 
Click here to register for the convention and to see the full schedule. Early bird registration is now open until March 25.



Several Claflin University alumni attended UNCF's 75th Anniversary National Celebration and Gala on Thursday, March 7, in Washington, D.C. Pictured from left to right:  Eric Geddis, '07; Pamela Davenport, '79; Alvenia Singleton, '74; Gloria McKnight, '69; Joan Steward-Stevens, '70; Zelda Lee, '77; Robert Miller, '66; Isaac Templeton, '69; and Allen Britt, '67. President Henry N. Tisdale, '65, and Marcus H. Burgess, '96, were also in attendance.


Uhriel Bedoya, '99, was appointed to the Governing Board for the National Association for the Education of Young Children. NAEYC is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. Bedoya is country manager for Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Bermuda and Haiti at MasterCard in Miami, Fla.


Ke'Onta Grant, '10, recently released an e-book titled "Keto Lifestyle in a Nutshell."  The book documents how she lost more than 100 pounds by removing carbs and sugars from her diet. 

Rev. Vander Green Sr., '89, served as a luncheon speaker at First United Methodist Church in Chicago during its African American Heritage Celebration on February 17, 2019. During his presentation, Green shared highlights about his experiences as a Claflin student and the impact made by the administrators and faculty and how they helped prepare him for life and his career. "We were one big family at Claflin," shared Green. 

Elevation From Within: The Study of Art at Historically Black Colleges and Universities is a new exhibit at the Johnson Collection Gallery in Spartanburg, S.C., curated by Dr. Leo F. Twiggs, '56. It pays homage to HBCU alumni and professors whose educational backgrounds chronicle a vital chapter of American history and whose aesthetic achievements have made an indelible mark on this nation's art. The Gallery will host a reception to honor HBCUs on Thursday, March 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. Dr. Twiggs will also offer a gallery talk and personal reflections on April 18, at 6:30 p.m.

Cecil J. Williams, '60, will receive the state of South Carolina's highest art award, the Elizabeth O'Neill Verner Governor's Award for the Arts. The 2019 Verner Awards will be presented with the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Awards at South Carolina Arts Awards sponsored by Colonial Life on Wednesday, May 1, at the USC Alumni Center (900 Senate St., Columbia). The S.C. Arts Foundation will honor the recipients afterward during a fundraising luncheon. For more about the Verner Awards or the S.C. Arts Awards Luncheon, call (803) 734-8696 or visit SouthCarolinaArts.com.

Panther Pride
Cato and Thomas Earn CIAA Softball Weekly Honors

Claflin University softball player Kayla Cato was named the CIAA Softball Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week while teammate Shaniya Thomas earned Pitcher of the Week honors. The Weekly Honors were announced by the league office Monday, March 11.
 
This is the second time this season that Cato has earned both accolades in the same week. She was named Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week Feb. 13.  Last week Cato was named the Defensive Player of the Week. This is Thomas' second straight Pitcher of the Week Honor and third overall. MORE


Florida Southern Defeats Claflin to Complete Weekend Baseball Series Sweep

Florida Southern College scored five runs in the seventh-inning as the Mocs completed the three-game sweep of Claflin University on Sunday, March 10, defeating the Panthers 10-3 at Historic Mirmow Field.
 
Claflin dropped to 12-7 on the season and finished the 17-game home stand at 10-7. The Panthers will travel to Tuskegee University for three games on March 16 and 17. MORE



St. Jean Places 5th in the 400 Meters at the 2019 NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships

Claflin University freshman sprinter Derick St. Jean ran a 47.15 to place fifth in the 400 meters at the 2019 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships. With the fifth place finish, St. Jean earns 2019 NCAA Division II Indoor All-American status.
 
St. Jean, who has run consistently throughout the indoor season, ran a personal best of 47.03 in the preliminary round of the 400 meters. The 47.03 time is also a school record.
 
Claflin men's track and field teams will return to action on Saturday, March 16, when it travels to Charleston, S.C. to participate in the CSU Spring Break Invitational hosted by Charleston Southern University.



Molik Brown hit a grand slam in the bottom sixth to put Claflin ahead 11-8 and Jalen Sprull followed with a two-run homer in the same inning as the Panthers came from as many as six down to defeat The College of Saint Rose Golden Knights 21-9 on Wednesday, March 6, at Historic Mirmow Field in Orangeburg. With its third straight win, the Panthers improved to 12-4 on the season. MORE

March 13, 2019
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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. 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
Student Interns: Alaysia Kelly and Deontre' McCray