July 23, 2021
The World Needs Visionaries
Claflin University Receives $1 Million Gift From Anonymous Donor
Claflin University has earned widespread respect and admiration for being among the nation’s HBCUs that according to President Dwaun J. Warmack, “not only survived but thrived” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The most recent benefit of Claflin’s steady emergence on the higher education landscape is the announcement that the University has received a $1 million gift from an anonymous donor to support the endowment.

“We are extremely grateful for this impactful gift that will aid us in our strategic long-term endowment growth. It will allow us to continue providing students access to our exemplary academic programs and our world-class faculty,” said Claflin President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack.  

“We hope this gift will inspire others to support our mission to provide an exceptional student-centered, liberal arts education that will prepare our graduates for a global society and 21st Century workforce." 

U.S. News and World Report ranked Claflin ninth in its 2021 list of the nation's top historically black colleges/universities (HBCUs). Claflin has earned a place among the Top 10 HBCUs in the publication's prestigious ranking for 10 consecutive years. Claflin also placed ninth in the U.S. News and World Report’s Best Regional Colleges in the South rankings.

“As a top ten regional college and one of the best HBCU’s in the country, Claflin has a long history of filling the minds, hearts, and spirits of its students with the wisdom, passion and, values to best prepare them for successful careers and impactful lives,” said the donor in a prepared statement. “This is a deep and strong foundation on which President Warmack and his team have ambitious plans to further build. I am delighted to invest in their vision for Claflin’s future and I encourage others to join us in supporting Claflin at this exciting moment.”

Dr. Marcus Burgess, interim vice president for institutional advancement, believes the national attention Claflin received from donations by McKenzie Scott, a renowned businesswoman and philanthropist; Zoom, a global leader in video communications technology; Dominion Energy, a Fortune 500 power and energy company; and several others, have resulted in gifts from other corporations and individuals.
 
“We are sincerely thankful for this donor’s generosity,” Burgess said. “This gift is a tribute to Claflin’s proud legacy of producing graduates who have ascended to leadership positions in every industry and profession. We have produced outstanding visionary leaders for more than 150 years. We do not consider ourselves a ‘best-kept secret,’ Burgess said. “Global corporations and decisions makers in boardrooms throughout the U.S. and abroad know that Claflin is one of the nation’s premier liberal arts universities.”
Claflin University to Welcome Students Back to Campus for Fall Semester
Claflin University administrators, faculty, and staff are making final preparations for the start of the 2021-2022 academic year. Members of the freshman class and new students will move into their residence halls on August 6-7 while the move-in dates are August 10-11 for returning students. Classes begin on August 12.

“In light of the myriad challenges we confronted from the coronavirus pandemic, I can proudly say that Claflin University has remained strong,” wrote Claflin President Dwaun J. Warmack in a recent letter to the campus community. “In fact, Claflin not only strived but also thrived. It was made possible through the tireless support of the campus community. Under this backdrop, I am delighted to welcome the Claflin Family back to the start of a new academic year!”

Claflin is taking proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of the campus community by thoroughly sanitizing all campus facilities and requiring all employees and students to wear face coverings (masks) at all campus locations, including classrooms. Claflin administrators are encouraging all employees and students to get fully vaccinated.

You can read President Warmack’s complete letter and Claflin’s 2021 Reopening Plan by clicking here.
Employee News
Claflin University welcomes Dr. Arthur E. Doctor, Jr. as the assistant dean for student engagement and leadership. Doctor has worked in student affairs for 10 years at several institutions. A native of Charleston, S.C., Dr. Doctor is involved in several professional organizations including the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Would you like to purchase Claflin University items for yourself or as gifts? Proceeds from the items above will support scholarships for the next generation of visionary leaders at Claflin University.

Click here to order today.

If you are paying by check, please make payable to Claflin University. Please put t-shirt size on the memo line. Mail to:

Claflin University
Attn: Marcus Burgess
400 Magnolia Street
Orangeburg, SC 29115

For more information, please call (803) 535-5348.
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
Photographers: Cecil Williams, '60, Geoff Henderson and Colin Myers, '07