@Claflin: HBCU Promise Presidents' Forum, PAWS UP Golf Classic and more

June 4, 2021

The World Needs Visionaries

Claflin University President to Participate in HBCU Promise Presidents’ Forum II Sponsored by Dominion Energy

Claflin University President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack will participate in a roundtable discussion, “HBCU Promise Presidents’ Forum II: One Year Later,” sponsored by Dominion Energy on Thursday, June 17, at 1-2:30 p.m. WISTV News Anchor Judi Gatson will be the moderator for the virtual presentation that will be available on Dominion Energy’s Youtube channel. Click here to watch the discussion.

Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, president of Norfolk State University, Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, president of Benedict College, and Dr. Harold Lee Martin Sr., chancellor at North Carolina A&T State University will join Dr. Warmack as panelists during the forum to reflect on how last year impacted students at HBCUs. The HBCU Promise Presidents’ Forum is a part of Dominion Energy’s $25 million pledge to support HBCUs, which includes hosting a series of conversations with HBCU leaders and Dominion Energy executives about social justice and equity.

Claflin University is one of 11 HBCUs to receive support through a $35 million initiative of Dominion Energy aimed at promoting higher education equity. The six-year "HBCU Promise" program will provide $25 million in funding to select institutions. Additionally, a $10 million scholarship fund will support African American and underrepresented minority students across the company's service territory.

In selecting the institutions, Dominion Energy looked at a range of factors, including locations with a significant customer presence, and past partnerships and opportunities to make an immediate impact. In structuring the partnerships, Dominion Energy will focus on four general areas: operating needs, urgent capital needs, endowments and scholarships.

More than seven million customers in 20 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE:D), headquartered in Richmond, Va. Dominion Energy is committed to sustainable, reliable, affordable and safe energy. It is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy with more than $100 billion of assets providing electric generation, transmission and distribution, as well as natural gas storage, transmission, distribution and import/export services. Dominion Energy is committed to achieving net zero carbon dioxide and methane emissions from its power generation and gas infrastructure operations by 2050.

Claflin University Athletic Department to Host Inaugural PAWS UP Golf Classic

The Claflin University Athletic Department will host its inaugural PAWS UP Golf Classic on Friday, July 9, at scenic Lake Marion Golf Course located at 9069 Highway 6, Santee, S.C. Registration begins at 8 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at 9 a.m. The cost is $125 for individual players and $500 for teams of four players.

PAWS UP and the Orange and Maroon Athletic Support Association (OMASA) are coordinating the golf classic which is a fundraiser for deserving Claflin scholar-athletes. Proceeds from this event will also support initiatives that are critical to Claflin becoming a perennial nationally ranked program in NCAA Division II that consistently competes for championships in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).

The CU Athletic Department is also committed to recruiting and retaining exceptional scholar-athletes who will continue the program’s proud legacy of achievement in academics and athletics. The fundraising goal for the PAWS UP Golf Classic is $50,000.

According to its website, “Lake Marion Golf Course features fantastic Miniverde greens that are in perfect shape all year long. The golf course will challenge you with pine tree-lined fairways, bordering lakes and 47 sand bunkers.” Lake Marion Golf Course also has the area’s largest golf pro shop, a lighted driving range, and golf instructions by PGA Golf Professionals.

“We are hopeful that you will support this year’s event and help us reach our fundraising goal as a golfer and/or sponsor,” said Tony O’Neal, Claflin University athletic director. “We want to increase funding and resources that will enhance the athletic and academic experience for the scholar-athletes that represent Claflin in 11 intercollegiate sports.”

In addition to the golf competition, a reception and silent auction featuring former NFL players Chris Canty, Erik Williams, and Na'Shan Goodard will be held on Thursday, July 8, at 7 p.m., at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex.

Canty played for the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Baltimore Ravens. He was a starter with New York when the Giants defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI.

Goodard played with several NFL teams. He earned Super Bowl rings with the New York Giants in 2008 and the New Orleans Saints in 2010. Williams was a three-time All-Pro with the Dallas Cowboys and he helped the Cowboys win Super Bowls in 1995, 1993, and 1992.

Click here to register or sponsor or contact Ms. Priscilla Cramer, athletic program senior support technician, at pcramer@claflin.edu or (803) 535-5504 for more information.

Alumni News

Zebulun Dinkins, ’05, created a television trailer for SCETV’s Learning Plus+ programming. At SCETV Education, Dinkins is responsible for curriculum content development. His work has been featured in local and national media including in a February 2007 segment of ABC's World News with Charles Gibson and on the cover of the September 2007 Career World edition of Weekly Reader Magazine. Click here to watch the trailer Dinkins created to advertise the programming.

On May 22, 2021, Daniel Farquharson, ’20, and Sebrena Brink, ’20, received their white coats at a ceremony at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville. The white coat ceremony symbolizes a student's entry into the medical profession after the completion of their first year of medical school. During this ceremony, medical students pledge their commitment to the profession and to the health of the patients they will serve. While at Claflin, both Farquharson and Brink were members of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College.

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.