@Claflin: Global Vision Award, New Deans in Business and Education and more

The World Needs Visionaries

Claflin University President Henry N. Tisdale to Receive 2019 Global Vision Award

The Columbia World Affairs Council announced that Claflin University President Henry N. Tisdale will receive the esteemed 2019 Global Vision Award. Tisdale will be honored at a black-tie gala at the Columbia Marriott on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. This is the 26th year the Columbia World Affairs Council has presented the award to a leader whose contributions have made a significant impact on projecting South Carolina globally.

Under Dr. Tisdale's leadership, Claflin has advanced a curriculum anticipating the technological and social demands of the 21st century. He has left an indelible high-water mark on the University as a diverse and inclusive community that works to cultivate the wisdom and character needed for globally engaged citizenship.

"Dr. Tisdale has fostered generations of leaders instilled with a global vision. During his presidency he not only doubled enrollment and achieved historic capital campaign success, he put South Carolina on the map in 2008 when Forbes named Claflin as the number one HBCU and in the top 4% of colleges and universities nationally," said Bob Coble, former Columbia Mayor and Chair of Columbia World Affairs Council Board of Directors. "With students from 26 states and 15 countries, Dr. Tisdale has elevated the status of our state for generations to come."

An Order of the Palmetto recipient, South Carolina's highest civilian award, Dr. Tisdale has served on numerous committees, councils, and executive boards on both local and national levels. He has championed STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) policy within Claflin and publically with integrated collaborations at South Carolina Research Authority, Orangeburg County Economic Development, The Association of Governing Boards and Universities and College Council of Presidents, and Former Governor Nikki Haley's Transition Team.

"Through 25 years of transformational leadership, Dr. Tisdale defines what it means to be a visionary leader," said James Lehman, chair of Claflin University's Board of Trustees and managing partner at Nelson Mullins. "He is an example to industry and higher education of why leadership matters. He has made a difference in our community, our state, our nation and our world."

In 1994, only four months into his presidency, Dr. Tisdale established the Center for Excellence in Science and Mathematics with a strategic vision to reverse the number of underrepresented minorities in STEM industries. Claflin has received several national fiscal awards and partnerships, including the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy, contributing to a successful $30 million, five-year capital campaign project in 1997. The University's Molecular Research Center was designated a core research facility by the South Carolina Research Authority. In 2016, the University capped a capital campaign of $105 million, exceeding its original goal of $96.4 million. Dr. Tisdale's fundraising and administrative leadership resulted in the launch of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College, a state-of-the-art television production studio, the Professional and Continuing Studies Center, and the Leadership Development Center, as well as many other educational initiatives and campus revitalization projects.

"I am humbled and honored by this recognition," said Dr. Tisdale, who significantly enhanced Claflin's national profile. "I also accept the award on behalf of Team Claflin as we have worked hard and tirelessly to keep Claflin University a relevant and leading institution of higher education that offers a high-quality education for its students.

I would like to thank the Columbia World Affairs Council for its outstanding track-record of global advocacy on behalf of the Midlands and South Carolina. Finally, I express my appreciation to the Council for its long-standing support of Claflin's global education agenda."

The Columbia World Affairs Council was established in 1993 to raise awareness of international activities in the Midlands, help people connect across the region, bring distinguished speakers and foreign diplomats to Columbia to address international issues, and create a bridge to build new international relationships. The Council administers the sister-city program for the City of Columbia and is a member of the Washington-based World Affairs Councils of America and Sister Cities International.

The Global Vision Award was established in 1994, and the first recipient was Governor Carroll A. Campbell. Last year, the honor went to Senator Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr. For more information about the Global Vision Award, please visit columbiaworldaffairs.org.

Summer Arts Day Camp to Bring Plays to Life in Concluding Performance

The 11th annual Claflin University Summer Arts Intensive (CUSAI) Day Camp will conclude with a performance of Tales from CUSAI Day Camp, on Friday, July 5, at 5:30 p.m., on the campus of Claflin University in Ministers' Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.

The Day Camp, which is funded in part by the Claflin University Faculty Student Seed Grant, provides high-quality arts education, exposure to a college campus, and college student mentors to youth entering grades kindergarten through fifth grade.

This week, student mentors assumed the teaching duties in the areas of acting, dance, music, art, and video production while preparing for Friday's culminating presentation. The student mentors are Tyler Benjamin (music), Myles Coverson-Springs (dance), Nucreatia Gamble (acting), Lauryn Graham (art), Kenyanna Howard (music), and Djimon Smith (video production).

Last week during the CUSAI's Residential Camp, the professors taught the camp students and the college mentors assisted. CUSAI Residential Camp concluded Saturday, June 22, with its culminating production of Romeo and Juliet, A Hip-Hop Affair.

CUSAI Residential Camp is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission and provides support for rising sixth through tenth grade students. Generous tuition subsidies were offered to students living and attending school in Hampton and Newberry counties. The South Carolina Arts Commission provided a third year of funding for CUSAI Residential Camp for 2020, which will offer generous tuition subsidies to students living and residing in Allendale or Clarendon Counties.

Led by Annette Dees Grevious, associate professor of speech and drama and founder of CUSAI; and Cedric Rembert, professor of speech and drama, the r esidential and day camps are open to all youth meeting the age and grade requirements regardless of where they live or attend school.

Board of Trustees Spotlight

Please meet the two newest members of the Claflin University Board of Trustees:

Before retiring in 2004, Robert Scarborough served as the executive director for South Carolina Association of School Administrators. He began his career at South Carolina Association of School Administrators in 1987 as the assistant to the executive director. He previously worked for accounting firms and served as the Orangeburg County administrator and assistant comptroller general for South Carolina. A native of Norway, S.C., he has served as a member of the Claflin University Board of Visitors, a board member of the Southern Mutual Church Insurance Company, a board member of the State Board of Education, Friends of Education Coalition, the South Carolina Society of Association Executives and American Association of School Administrators.

John Uprichard is the CEO of Find Great People (FGP), a nationally recognized executive recruitment firm with a talent platform inclusive of C-level search, middle management acquisition and talent consulting including: executive coaching, management assessment, compensation and rewards, and talent analytics. FGP works with clients ranging from public companies to high growth, entrepreneurial organizations in 44 states and 14 countries. Under his leadership, FGP has experienced over 2600 percent revenue growth and achieved recognition as one of the 100 largest privately held companies in the SC 100 (four years), an Inc. 500 and 5000 company (five consecutive years), one of South Carolina's Fastest Growing Companies (four consecutive years) and a Best Place to Work (eight years total, five of which have been consecutive).

Faculty and Staff News

Please welcome Dr. Nicholas J. Hill, who has been appointed dean (and professor) of the School of Business at Claflin University . A native of Canton, Miss., Dr. Nicholas Hill previously served as interim chair of the Department of Business Administration at Jackson State University in Mississippi. He also was the director of the doctoral program at Jackson State. Dr. Hill holds a bachelor's degree from Tougaloo College, a master's degree from Howard University and a doctor of philosophy degree from Jackson State .

Please welcome Dr. Anthony A. Pittman, who has been appointed dean (and professor) of the School of Education at Claflin University. A native of Dillon, S.C., Dr. Pittman previously served as an assistant professor at Claflin from 2003 to 2004 and as an English instructor from 1998 to 2000. Most recently, he was the acting dean of the College of Education at Kean University in Union, N.J. Dr. Pittman earned a bachelor's degree from South Carolina State University, a master's degree from the University of Massachusetts and a doctor of philosophy degree from the University of Connecticut.

Claflin University assistant athletics director Matisse Lee, '08, (fourth from left) recently graduated from the NCAA & Division II Athletic Directors Association (D2ADA) Women and Minorities Mentoring Program. The program was an eight-month initiative running from September 2018-June 2019. The NCAA & D2ADA Women and Minorities Mentoring Program provides women and minority athletics administrators in NCAA Division II the opportunity to enhance career development through a mentoring relationship that fosters personal and professional growth. The activity seeks to build a foundation that encourages participants to pursue a long-range career in athletics administration with an ultimate career goal of serving as a Division II Director of Athletics.

Revonda Whitley, head women's basketball coach, recently participated in the WeCOACH Coaches Academy (WCA) in Denver, Colo. The NCAA Women Coaches Academy, hosted in partnership between WeCOACH and the NCAA, is a four-day educational training available to NCAA coaches of all experience levels, and is designed for women coaches who are ready to increase their individual effectiveness by learning advanced skills and strategies that directly affect their personal and team success.

Alumni News

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.

On June 24, Audrey Asbury, '09, was sworn in as Orangeburg County senior deputy auditor. Her term began on July 1. Asbury's primary responsibility is to assess all personal property within the county including vehicles, boats, campers, aircraft and business personal property. She succeeds Roger Cleckley, who retired from the office after 30 years of service. Photo courtesy of the Times and Democrat.

Congratulations to Christopher Dickey, '98, who is the new principal at Congaree Elementary in Lexington, S.C.

The smiling face of Ruth Littlejohn graces the ground level of the Spartanburg Regional Heart Center. The elevator graphic is a part of the hospital's advertising campaign promoting healthier lifestyles. Littlejohn was one of six visionary leaders that were inducted into the Claflin University Alumni Hall of Fame at the 25th Annual Presidential Scholarship Gala on Friday, November 16, 2018. A retired realtor, Littlejohn serves as the District 3 representative of the Spartanburg City Council.

Panther Pride

LaKaylin Lee Among 585 Female Student-Athletes Nominated for the 2019 NCAA Woman of the Year Award

Former Claflin University softball player LaKaylin Lee is among 585 female student-athletes nominated for the 2019 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. This pool of nominees is the largest ever in the history of the program. Of the nominees, 262 are from Division I, 131 from Division II and 192 from Division III.

Lee, a former outfielder for the Lady Panthers, hailing from Decatur, Ga., was named the 2019 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Female Scholar Athlete of the Year and to the 2019 Google Cloud Academic All-America® Division II Softball First Team. She was also named to the 2019 All-CIAA First Team and was selected to the 2019 Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) Softball All-Atlantic Region Second Team, as well as to the 2019 Easton/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Academic All-America Scholar Athlete Team.

Lee graduated summa cum laude with a degree in business management at Claflin's historic Sesquicentennial Commencement this past May. She finished the 2019 season ranked 11th in sacrifice flies and 32nd in runs per game in the nation. Lee finished her career with a .385 batting average, a .608 slugging percentage along with 100 of 107 stolen bases. This season she amassed 55 runs with 55 hits including nine doubles, five triples and four home runs with 32 RBIs and 30 stolen bases in 31 attempts.

Established in 1991, the NCAA Woman of the Year award recognizes graduating female college athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service and leadership throughout their collegiate careers.

This year's nominees competed in 23 different sports across all three NCAA divisions with multi-sport student-athletes accounting for 144 of the nominees.

Next, conferences will select up to two nominees each from the pool of school nominees. Then, the Woman of the Year selection committee, made up of representatives from the NCAA membership, will choose the Top 30 honorees - 10 from each division.

The selection committee will determine the top three honorees from each division from the Top 30 and announce the nine finalists in September. From those nine finalists, the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics then will choose the 2019 NCAA Woman of the Year.

The Top 30 honorees will be celebrated and the 2019 NCAA Woman of the Year will be named at the annual award ceremony on October 20 in Indianapolis.