February 5, 2021
The World Needs Visionaries
Claflin University Celebrates Black History Month
Claflin University is celebrating Black History Month with a series of thought provoking, community events. For more information, please contact Dillon Beckford at (803) 535-5301. 

Click here to view the schedule.
Represent Claflin University with a Black History Month Facebook Frame
Join with us in celebrating Black History Month with our new Facebook photo frames! The three new frames are available now.
 
On Mobile
  1. Go to your Facebook profile on the app.
  2. Tap on the camera icon on the bottom right of your profile photo.
  3. Select “Add Frame.”
  4. Type "Claflin" in the search bar up top and frame choices will appear.
  5. Select frame and edit your photo to your liking.
  6. Click "Save" and enjoy!
 
On Desktop/Laptop
  1. Go to your Facebook profile on your computer.
  2. Tap on the camera icon on the bottom right of your profile photo.
  3. Select “Add Frame.”
  4. Type "Claflin" in the search bar up on the left and frame choices will appear.
  5. Select frame and edit your photo to your liking.
  6. Click "Use As Profile Photo" and enjoy!
Claflin Student Advances to Inaugural Madden 21 x HBCU
Tournament Finals Showcase
Claflin University will be represented in a national digital and video gaming competition when sophomore computer science major Eric Minor plays in the Inaugural Madden 21 x HBCU Tournament Finals. Minor will join 15 other players who have advanced to the Madden NFL 21 x HBCU Tournament Finals Showcase ahead of Super Bowl LV. The final two rounds of the competition, featuring the top four gamers, will be broadcast on the EA Madden NFL Twitch channel on Saturday, February 6, 7-9:30 p.m. (EST).
 
The Grand Prize winner will receive $5,000. Runners-up in second and third place will each receive $2,500. 

Players competing in the finals survived a single elimination qualifier tournament that began in November 2020. The players represent four HBCU (historically black colleges/universities) athletic conferences - Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA), Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Claflin is a member of the CIAA.
                                                                          
Minor, who has a minor in cyber security, is a native of Suffolk, Va. He said that he started playing Madden NFL about five years ago. When he decided to take the game seriously, he began competing in online and in-person tournaments. 

“As my skill level improved, people would ask me about certain functions and processes in the game,” Minor explained. “I’ve been successful because I can make adjustments during the games rather quickly.

Among the national tournaments where Minor has tested his gaming abilities was the Level Next College Tournament that was held in San Francisco, Calif., in 2019. Minor finished in the top 30 in a competitive field that included outstanding players from schools in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), PAC 12, Southeastern Conference (SEC), Big 10 and other major conferences.

“I plan to win it all, said Minor as he focused on Saturday’s Final Four. “I want to earn HBCU bragging rights by becoming the first winner of the inaugural tournament. I never imagined EA Sports would develop a tournament for HBCU gamers. However, the interest in eSports is growing at HBCUs – especially during COVID when we are looking online for activities and events that allow us to engage other students.” 

Minor also said that representing Claflin provides an additional incentive for wanting to win the tournament.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for me, Claflin University and other HBCUs,” he said. “I would like nothing more than to bring a national title and national recognition to Claflin. This is historic and I am looking forward to the challenge.”

-Tariq Edwards contributed to this report

Panther Talks is a webinar series that highlights the issues and events that are happening around the Claflin University campus. The in-depth discussions involve talks with faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters. Panther Talks engages Claflin University and surrounding communities while increasing awareness about students, fundraising, programs, and events.

Click here to register to attend the next Panther Talks on Tuesday, December 8 at 7 p.m.

If you would like to submit questions for this virtual program, please send to communications@claflin.edu.
Nominations are Now Open for 2021 Cohort of Outstanding Leaders Under 40
The Office of Alumni Relations will annually recognize outstanding alumni graduates under the age of 40 who are bold and energetic leaders in their professions and their communities. These honorees have made continuous contributions to their chosen profession, and have inspired, empowered, and embraced their communities.

Recipients of the Outstanding Leaders under 40 Award demonstrate how to have positive impacts by connecting the knowledge, strength, and compassion that stems from their days on a "hilltop high."

Nominees will be selected based on the following:
  • Professional Accomplishments
  • Demonstrated Leadership
  • Community Contributions
  • Awards and Milestones
  • Passion for Claflin University

Requirements:
  • Nominee must be under the age of 40 as of May 2, 2021.
  • Nominee must be a Claflin University Alumni graduate.

Deadline for application is Monday, May 31, 2021.

For more information, please visit www.claflin.edu/Under40
400 Magnolia Street
Orangeburg, SC 29115 
1.800.922.1276
@Claflin is published by the Office of Communications & Marketing 
President: Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack
Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement: Dr. Marcus H. Burgess, '96
Assistant Vice President for Communications & Marketing: George Johnson Jr.
Public Relations Director: J. Craig Cotton
Web Communications Manager: Colin Myers, '07
Interns: Myles Coverson-Springs, Tariq Edwards, Isaiah Griffin,
Amir Jordan and Marquel Sanders
Sports Information Director: Romanda Noble-Watson
Photographers: Cecil Williams, '60, Geoff Henderson and Colin Myers, '07