The World Needs Visionaries
Save the Date - Claflin University Hosts Event For President Henry N. Tisdale and First Lady Alice Carson Tisdale For Their 25 Years of Visionary and Transformative Leadership


When: Monday, April 1, 2019, 6 p.m
Where: Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
For more information, please call (803) 535-5665.
Student Spotlight - Makenzie Cain
Makenzie Cain was elected UNCF National Pre-Alumni President at the 73rd Anniversary UNCF/NAC/NPAC Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday, February 9.
Previously, Cain served as the UNCF National Pre-Alumni
Council Business Manager.
  
A native of Greer, S.C.,  Cain is a psychology major with a minor in English that  aspires to become a lawyer. She is a member of the Alice  Carson Tisdale Honors College .
Claflin to Present The Actors' Theater of South Carolina's Performance of "Frederick Douglass...No Turning Back"
The Actors' Theater of South Carolina will present "Frederick Douglass...No Turning Back" at Claflin University on Thursday, February 21, at 7 p.m. at the James and Dorothy Z. Elmore Chapel. Admission is free the public is invited to attend. 
 
Kyle Taylor plays the title character who evolved from a former slave to one of the nation's iconic activists, authors and orators. Douglass was also a newspaper editor and abolitionist who inspired and enlightened audiences across America and England. The play is directed by Chris Weatherhead, co-founder of the company. Executive producer Clarence Felder portrays Reverend Brewster.
 
The play takes place in 1872 in a church in Ohio during one of Douglass' numerous, widely-acclaimed speaking tours. He relates some of his wildest adventures over his long journey of becoming a free man and his constant efforts to bring freedom to those enslaved, first in America and then around the world. His vision was expansive and extended also to women, who were unable to vote in American elections until 1920 with the ratification of the 19th Amendment. 
 
"Frederick Douglass...No Turning Back" is one of several 2019 Claflin Lyceum Series events. The Calhoun County Public Library is co-sponsor of the play's performance.  The purpose of the Lyceum Series is to present nationally-recognized lecturers, authors, visual and performing artists, educators, and events that stimulate and reinforce the cultural and intellectual environment of the campus community.
 
For more information about the Claflin University Lyceum Series, please contact Dr. Peggy Stevenson Ratliff, professor of English, at pratliff@claflin.edu or  call 803-535-5233.

CPI Team Guides Freshman Class through Career Preparation Program 

On February 12, Campus Director for the Career Pathways Initiative Dr. Twaina Harris spoke to the Claflin University freshman class on the tools they need to complete their academic journey successfully. The Carolina Cluster Career Pathways Program was created in December 2016 through a $6 million grant by the UNCF® Career Pathways Initiative (CPI), funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc. The priorities of the grant are to improve employment outcomes for graduates through guided pathways, curricular enhancements, and integrated co-curricular engagement.

Dr. Harris reminded the students of how important the CPI program is to their college careers, beginning with the creation of their Focus 2 Career profile. This profile helps students to choose majors and explore career interests based on an assessment of their work interest, personality, values and skills. Once set up, the students are encouraged to join the Handshake Career Management System that connects students with over 200,000 employers from varying industries.

She reassured the students that CPI was put into place for them to be completing one of two things upon graduation - enrolling in a graduate or professional school or applying to jobs in their major. "In order to best benefit from this process and to increase your livelihood after Claflin, you have to engage in this process," Dr. Harris told the students. "You need to have a plan. Have a plan for summer 2019 and for all your summers until you graduate. It's so important."

Students also heard from Whitney Williams, coordinator of experiential learning at Claflin. Each student must complete one of the requirements for experiential learning in order to graduate. To meet the requirement, students can complete an internship, study abroad, conduct undergraduate research, participate in a leadership program, or service learning. 

"You all must do your part in making sure you continuously check your emails, meet with your advisors at least twice a semester, plan for summer courses ahead, and stick to your plan of action," said Dr. Harris.

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

Claflin University will host its 13th Annual First Lady's Hats and Gloves Scholarship Tea 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."

Each year, the tea's committee chooses a woman (or women) to honor with the Visionary Leadership Award. The 2019 Visionary Leadership Award honorees have made history by being a part of the largest number of African-American women ever to serve in the S.C. House of Representatives. The honorees are  Wendy C. Brawley, Gilda Cobb-Hunter, Chandra E. Dillard, Rosalyn D. Henderson-Myers, Patricia Moore Henegan, Annie E. McDaniel, Anne Parks, Leola C. Robinson and Krystle N. Simmons. These visionary women will be honored for their dedication and service to South Carolina and their ability to work in the House to bring positive and peaceful change to their respective districts and in the state. 

Vendor booths will be open before the program begins. Entertainment will be provided by the Claflin University Concert Choir and the Claflin Jazz Ensemble. Men are also invited to attend.

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. 

For more information on applying for the 2019 scholarship, email Dr. Peggy S. Ratliff at  pratliff@claflin.eduMrs. Sadie D. Jarvis at  sjarvis@claflin.edu, or Dr. Verlie A. Tisdale at  vtisdale@claflin.edu.

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

Vote for Miss Claflin to be Miss CIAA
Vote for Miss Claflin, Shantavia O. Edmonds, to be the next Miss CIAA. Sponsored by Food Lion, the online voting for Miss CIAA began Monday, February 4, and will continue until Friday, March 1. The college/university queen with the most votes will receive $2,500 from Food Lion for the food pantry in the local school's city/town.

Click here to vote for Miss Claflin! You may vote an unlimited amount of times. 

Faculty News
Congratulations to Dr. Kathryn M. Silva, assistant professor of history and interim chair of the department of humanities, who served as the co-author of the nomination for the Matilda House (Columbia, S.C.) to be listed in the South Carolina National Register for Historic Places. The property served as the residence and medical office of Dr. Matilda Arabelle Evans, the first black woman to practice medicine in South Carolina from 1928-1935. Dr. Evans worked tirelessly for the African American community and bridged racial and gender divides with her work. She received her M.D. from the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1897 with specialties in obstetrics, gynecology, and surgery. Dr. Evans was also a major reformer and public health advocate for both white and black Columbians, and her advocacy efforts were felt statewide.

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."
 
As noted in the book,  On a Hilltop High: The Origin and History of Claflin College to 1984 by Dr. Blinzy L. Gore, in Charleston, a small group of black and white ministers gathered for deliberations on the grounds of a local religious institution, and when they concluded their efforts, they had given birth to the notion of Claflin University.
 
The merger of Baker Biblical Institute at Charleston and the Normal and Training School at Camden resulted in Claflin University opening its doors in Orangeburg, S.C., on October 27, 1869. These ministers, along with Lee and William Claflin, T. Willard Lewis, Alonzo Webster and many others formed the foundation upon which Claflin stands today - 150 years of academic excellence and visionary leadership! 
 
Click here to register for the convention and to see the full schedule. Early bird registration is now open until March 25.


Dr. Leo F. Twiggs, '56, and the Honorable Michael C. Butler, '83 received the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Social Justice Award at the 51st  Anniversary of the Orangeburg Massacre. The Social Justice Award is given to individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated a
commitment to using their influence to eliminate injustices and those deprived of their civil rights. The ceremony was held on Friday, February 8, 2019, at 11 a.m.  in the Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium on the campus of South Carolina State University.

Cecil J. Williams, '60, is creating a museum that will honor a generation of people, both black and white, who sacrificed to make freedom and justice a reality in the Palmetto State. Williams' current photography studio in Orangeburg will be transformed into a 4,500 square foot facility to comprise the new museum. A portion of the facility will be open to the public by appointment beginning May 17, 2019, in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court Brown vs Board of Education decision. For more information about the museum, please visit cecilwilliamsmuseum.com.

Panther Pride
Have You Purchased Your CIAA Tournament Tickets? 

The Claflin University Panthers will make their inaugural appearance in the CIAA Basketball Tournament which begins Monday, February 25, 2019, through March 2, 2019, at the Bojangles Arena and the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. The tournament is widely-acclaimed as one of the nation's top sports, cultural, and entertainment attractions. Men's and women's basketball teams representing all 13-member institutions will compete for the tournament title and a berth to the NCAA Division II Championships. Let's cheer the Panthers on to a CIAA Tournament Championship!

The Panthers will need your support at the games!

Tickets are on sale Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Claflin University cashier's window on the 2nd Floor of Tingley Hall. Please contact the CU Athletics Department at (803) 535-5504 or email pcramer@claflin.edu for additional information. 
Tickets can also be purchased from the Athletics Department online by clicking  here.

Ticket packages available for the tournament as of Wednesday, February 13, are as follows:
  • General Admission - $200.00 each (only 124 tickets available) 
The host hotel for Claflin University is the Doubletree Hilton Hotel Charlotte, N.C. Please click  here  to reserve your hotel accommodations. You may also call the hotel at (704) 227-2815 and use the group code - CLA.
 
Please contact Tammy McCottry at (803) 535-5665 or email tmccottry@claflin.edu or Zelda M. Lee at (803) 535-5348 or email zelee@claflin.edu if you need additional assistance.


McKie Top Finisher for Claflin at 2019 CIAA Indoor Track Championships

Junior Faith McKie paced the Claflin University women's track and field team at its first-ever CIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, held on February 10-11, at the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Lady Panthers placed 8th overall in the meet.
 
The Lady Panthers will return to action on Saturday, February 16, when they participate in the USC Open hosted by the University of South Carolina.


Claflin Men Set School Records at 2019 CIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships

In its first-ever CIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, the Claflin University men's track and field teams break several school records in placing fourth overall. The Championships, which ran February 10-11, were contested at the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, N.C.
 
The Panthers will return to action on Saturday, February 16, when they participate in the USC Open hosted by the University of South Carolina. MORE


Claflin Men's Basketball Team Defeats Johnson C. Smith

Claflin University rolled past Johnson C. Smith University, 87-78, in a CIAA Southern Division matchup on Monday, February 11, at the Tullis Arena. The win extended Claflin's current winning streak to four games and improved the Panthers record to 11-12 overall and 9-8 in the CIAA, including 7-4 in the division.
 
Claflin will take a break from CIAA action and travel to Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) member Morehouse College on Wednesday, February 13. The Panthers will conclude the regular-season at home next week with games against 
Livingstone College on Monday, February 18, and arch-rival Benedict College on Thursday, February 21.


Johnson C. Smith Defeats Claflin Women's Basketball Team

Johnson C. Smith University defeated Claflin University 79-70 in a CIAA Southern Division contest on Monday, February 11, at the Tullis Arena.  The loss extended Claflin's losing streak to three games, dropping the Lady Panthers season record to 12-13 overall and 8-9 in the CIAA.
 
The Lady Panthers will wrap up their regular-season next week, hosting Livingstone College on Monday, February 18, in their last CIAA outing followed by arch-rival Benedict College on Thursday, February 21, in a non-conference contest.


Claflin Baseball Secures Series with Lopsided Win over Salem

Claflin University baseball team defeated Salem University, 8-1, on Saturday, February 9, at Historic Mirmow Fields.  The win gave Claflin, now 4-2 on the season, the series win. MORE


Claflin Defeats Francis Marion

Claflin University's baseball team upended Francis Marion University, 11-6, in the Pepsi Pop-Off Series at Sparrow Stadium on Saturday, February 2.  The win pushes Claflin record to 2-0 and provided the program it's first-ever win over Francis Marion. The Panthers entered the game 0-16 against the Patriots.  The perfect early season start is the program second best since joining the NCAA Division II. The Panthers opened the 2007 season at 4-0. MORE 


Claflin Defeats Southern Wesleyan

Claflin University's baseball team edged Southern Wesleyan University 13-12 in the Pepsi Pop-Off Series at Sparrow Stadium on Friday, February 1. The one-run victory earned Claflin its first season-opening win in nine years. The last successful opening day for a Panther team was a 13-5 win over Voorhees College (Oct. 2, 2010). MORE
 


Vote for Lowe's CIAA Senior CLASS Award

Ashley Fields and Triston Thompson are Claflin University's nominees for the Lowe's CIAA Senior CLASS Award, given to a male and female basketball seniors who excel in the areas of the four C's - Classroom, Character, Community and Competition. Each winner, which will be announced on championship day of the CIAA Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 2, in Charlotte, N.C., will receive a trophy recognizing them as the overall winner.
 
The men's and women's winners will be determined through a voting system that includes fans, CIAA basketball media members and CIAA coaches. Fan balloting is now open and will conclude on Wednesday, February 20. Vote now by clicking here.

February 13, 2019
In This Issue
Calendar of Events
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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