The World Needs Visionaries
2019 Youth Harambee Set for Claflin University

The Southeastern Jurisdiction Black Methodists for Church Renewal, Inc. will hold the 2019 Youth Harambee on June 26-30, at Claflin University. The theme for this year's conference is "Anointed, Reigning Mighty, Youth; ARMY."  More than 200 youth are expected to participate in activities that promote spiritual enlightenment and the legacy of The United Methodist Church. Workshops on health and wellness, building relationships, worship services, and athletic competitions are among the other scheduled activities.
 
"Harambee," a Swahili word for "gathering and pulling together," is the central theme for The Black Methodist's annual conference for ethnic United Methodist youth. Claflin has hosted five previous Youth Harambees, including the 2017 conference, which celebrated the event's 20th anniversary.
 
The Southeastern Jurisdiction comprises seven states - Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Claflin Freedom School Enhances Academics and Life Skills for Area Youth

Approximately 80 students in grades three through eight are participating in Claflin University's Freedom School. Currently in its eighth year of operation, the six-week program will conclude on July 26.

The Freedom School program follows the Integrated Reading Curriculum which promotes multicultural learning, reading, and creative activities that reinforce non-violent conflict resolution and cooperation. At Claflin, the students also learn academic and life skills through interactive activities such as coding, chess, science with cooking, speaking Portuguese, Zumba exercises and individual reading assignments. 

Click here to view a story on Claflin's Freedom School by WLTX Channel 19. 
Claflin University's Nursing Program Named a Top 10 Online Nursing School in South Carolina

Claflin University's RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program was named one of the 10 Best Online RN to BSN Nursing Schools in South Carolina 2019. The 2019 rankings, published by TopRNtoBSN.com, features universities and colleges from across the Palmetto State. The schools were selected based on criteria including cost, reputation and salary expectation. Top RN to BSN is an online resource for prospective nursing students, offering reviews, rankings and up-to-date scholarship and financial information for some of the best nursing programs around the country.

Claflin's RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program recently received accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Board of Commissioners retroactive from October 1, 2018 until June 30, 2024. CCNE Accreditation ensures that the nursing program consistently demonstrates quality in mission and governance, institutional commitment and resources, and curriculum and teaching-learning practices. It also establishes that the program is effective in assessment and achievement of program outcomes. These are the hallmark attributes of a high-quality nursing program.

Claflin launched the RN to BSN program in August 2016. A partnership with Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College and The Regional Medical Center provides a pipeline for students to earn their bachelor's degree at Claflin in less than 18 months. Since the program's inception, more than 50 graduates have completed the 100 percent online program and have earned the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Claflin is the only institution of higher education between Columbia and Charleston, S.C., and the only historically black college/university in South Carolina that offers a bachelor's degree in nursing.
Alumni News
Kierra Alexis Carter, '17, a former Miss Claflin, and the current Miss Black South Carolina USA, will be a contestant in the National Miss Black USA pageant scheduled for August 10-12, 2019, in Washington, D.C.

Antonio McFarland, '07, Claflin's assistant director  of admissions, will release his first book titled College is Possible on July 1. The book is an "easy to follow guide to help students maximize their high school years and optimize their chances of getting where they want to go," his website states. College is Possible can be pre-ordered at www.antoniomcfarland.com.



The Central Savanah River Area Alumni Chapter is sponsoring its annual $10,000 Reverse Raffle on Friday, July 26, at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion. For more information, please contact Dr. Willie L. Frazier, '75, at (706) 399-6105.
June 26, 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