Claflin University has been selected as a 2020 Best Value School by Best Value College's panel of higher education experts. According to the organization's website, "schools honored with the Best Value School Award belong to an elite club of high quality, affordable postsecondary institutions." 

 

Institutions that receive the Best Value School award are not ranked, however Claflin is listed among 100 colleges and universities that meet a criteria Best Value Schools

believes "is important to postsecondary students of all ages."  The criteria for selection are:  cost, support from current students; unique features of the institution; student debt; student loan default rate; length of time it takes students to graduate; and the percentage of students that earn degrees or complete certificate programs. The full list of 100 college and university awardees can be found at www.bestvaluecolleges.org.

 

Included in this diverse and exclusive list are colleges and universities with enrollments of 500 to 60,000 students that provide academic programs online-only, classroom-only, or a combination of both; coed and men's and women's only institutions; faith-based colleges and universities; and schools that offer associate degrees to doctorates and certificate programs. Annual cost for full-time degree programs varies with most in the $18,000-$20,000 range. Special skills programs cost far less. Most institutions on the list offer special financial aid including grants and scholarships.

Best Value Colleges was founded by former college and university presidents and CEOs. It has awarded its Best Value School designations since 2012. 

Claflin University and Security Federal Bank will host "Providing for Yourself and Your Loved Ones,"  a wills and legacy giving seminar on Wednesday, February 26, at 5:30 p.m.  at Security Federal Bank, located at 1185 Sunset Blvd, in West Columbia. 

Presenters will include Attorney T. C. Reynolds, an expert in estate planning, probate administration, elder law and real estate transactions with Stratton/ Reynolds LLC; and Clair Hollingsworth, J.D., a trust officer with Security Federal Trust. Admission is free and the public is invited.

Twenty-two Claflin students completed the BB&T Emerging Leaders Certification Program on campus on February 18 and 19. The national certification program included interactive sessions that provided students with practical leadership tools and strategies that could be used in their daily lives.

 

"It was exciting to work with this year's cohort," said Barbara Chappell, senior director of development and major gifts and program facilitator. "I know the students will put the leadership strategies presented to good use in the careers that they are building, and we are grateful to the BB&T Leadership Institute for making this program available to Claflin University students." 

 

The program also emphasized leadership for the next generation; team and individual leadership development; results driven behavior tactics and effective leadership.

 

After completing the program, student participants were awarded certificates of completion.

 

Student participants were: Andrew Bennett, DeVonte Bethea, LaQuasia U. Cheeseboro, Avery Covington, Raezia Crawford, Lauren Foster, Tamela Goodwin, Kristian Greene, Wes Guyton, Daja Hammond, Skylar Harvin, Tre' Jeter, Kaya Alexis Johnson, Son-Ja Jones, Sybrina Kerr, Taylor Landon-Luckett, Nasha Leverett, David E. Lucas, Ogochukwu Patricia Mojekwu, Jaisailyn Owens, Jana' Salley, and Quentin D. Seegars.   

Ten Claflin University Pre-Alumni students and advisors attended the UNCF NAC/NPAC Leadership Conference on February 5-9, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.  The conference connected more than 500 students, leaders in the HBCU community funding experts, sponsors, alumni and member institutions of the country's largest and most effective African American education organization. The three-day conference provided interactive and energizing workshops and speakers from Wells Fargo, Bank of America, DreamBuilders Communication, Inc. and others.  

 

Makenzie Cain, NPAC president, and Jael Wright, Regional Eastern NPAC director, presided over programs and workshops.

 

The Claflin Pre-Alumni students also spent the evening sharing Claflin stories and aspirations with alums, Rev. Dr. William F. Blue, '73, and Mr. Robert Miller, '66, CUIAA president.

 

As seniors, Makenzie Cain, Tamara Gilliard, Arteria Lingard and Jael Wright participated in Project STAY (Students Transitioning to Alumni Every Year).

 

Miss UNCF Claflin University, Majayla Page participated in the National UNCF Queen Coronation. She also won the UNCF Ambassador of the Year for Claflin University.

 

During the event, the National Alumni Council awarded Mr. Barry White Jr., '14 the Outstanding Young Alumni Award and Miriam Walker Samuels, '92, the Hall of Honor award.