@Claflin: Coronavirus, Inauguration Week and more

The World Needs Visionaries

A Message from the President

Claflin University is closely monitoring reports concerning the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) internationally and nationally. The safety and well-being of the Claflin community is our first and foremost concern. Our Emergency Preparedness Team is carefully studying this situation and what we need to know as it pertains to our operations at Claflin University.

At this time, there aren't any known cases in the state of South Carolina . As a precaution, Claflin University has suspended all upcoming spring-break travel with its global education programs to China, India, and Dubai .

We will continue to monitor the virus and make a decision on study abroad trips scheduled for the end of the semester and the beginning of the summer.

Claflin University is also discouraging travel to high risk areas as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With Spring Break occurring next week, we understand that travel will be involved. However, if you must travel (or have traveled) to any of the high risk areas, please be mindful of the following:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

As information develops, Claflin University's Emergency Preparedness Team will keep the University informed. If you have any health concerns, please be sure to visit your primary care provider or the University's Health Center on Goff Street.

Sincerely,

Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack

President

Countdown to Inauguration Week

The inauguration of Claflin University President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack on March 15-20, 2020, will begin a new chapter in the institution's illustrious history which spans more than 150 years. The investiture ceremony will be held on Friday, March 20, at 10 a.m. in the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex when Warmack will be formally installed as Claflin's ninth president.

The Claflin University Board of Trustees and the University's administration invite supporters from throughout the campus community and beyond to attend inauguration week activities and events beginning Sunday, March 15 through Friday, March 20. The week-long events are listed below:

Sunday, March 15, 2-6 p.m.
First Daughter's Community & Family Day
Goff Street

Join the First Daughter, Miss Morgan Warmack, as we celebrate the vibrant mix of cultures on the Claflin campus and officially kick off a week of celebrating the inauguration of her dad, Claflin's ninth president, Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack.

Free and open to the community.

Monday, March 16, All Day
Panther Pride/Service Day
On-campus

Join us as we preserve and maintain the beauty of our historic campus. Claflin University was listed among the most heavenly HBCU campuses by Black Southern Belle Magazine. The campus is defined by its historic district, buildings on the National Registry of Historic Places that include Lee Library, Tingley Memorial Hall and Ministers' Hall. These buildings received the time honored Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation from the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.

Free and open to the community.

Tuesday, March 17, 6 p.m.
First Lady's Hats and Gloves Tea
Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex

The First Lady's Hats and Gloves Tea is a fundraiser which supports the University's mission of providing scholarships that help students graduate with a Claflin degree. This will be the first scholarship tea for First Lady LaKisha Warmack. The First Lady's Hats and Gloves Scholarship Tea is held in conjunction with Women's History Month which is observed nationally in March. This year's theme,"Valiant Women of the Vote," salutes the women who have been at the forefront in the struggle for women's right to vote in the United States.

Cost: $75/person; $700/table of 10
Click here for tickets and sponsorship

Wednesday, March 18, 7 p.m.

Presidential Lecture Series
Speaker: Susan Taylor
Founder & CEO, National CARES Mentoring Movement & Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, Essence Magazine
W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center

Susan L. Taylor is the founder and CEO of the National CARES Mentoring Movement. After 27 years at the helm of Essence Magazine, Taylor left publishing to devote her life to building National CARES Mentoring, founded as Essence CARES. The National CARES mission is to help end inter-generational poverty by securing and transforming the lives of under-resourced black children. National CARES affiliates recruit caring adults to serve as mentors and role models at local youth-serving organizations. The national group-mentoring programs focus on the emotional, social and academic development of children and the wellness of the adults who parent and mentor them.

Free and open to the community.

Thursday, March 19, 7 p.m.
HBCU Presidents vs Claflin Students Basketball Game - Who Got Game?
Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex

Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack has formed a team of presidential colleagues to play against Claflin University students. Who will have "bragging rights" for winning the Inauguration Basketball Game?

Free and open to the community.

Friday, March 20, 10 a.m.
Presidential Investiture Ceremony for Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack
Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex

(Click here to watch live)

Rich in tradition and protocol, an investiture is the "formal ceremony of conferring the authority and symbols of high office." Please join us for the investiture of Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, the ninth president of Claflin University.

Free and open to the community.

Friday, March 20, 7 p.m.
Inauguration Week Benefit Concert
Featuring 112 and Marcus Allen

Claflin University Campus

Tickets: $50 VIP/$35 General Admission/$25 Claflin Student

Help Keep Claflin #1 in the Retool Your School Competition

Claflin University is currently competing in The Home Depot Retool Your School Grant Program which began February 17. Claflin is currently in first place and is seeking to win $50,000 for campus beautification projects.

Go to www.retoolyourschool.com/vote and vote for Claflin University (in Cluster 2). No matter if you have a laptop, desktop, smart phone, tablet - you can vote on ALL of these devices (multiple times). When posting on Instagram and Twitter, please use the hashtag #Claflin_RYS20 in your public posts. Claflin receives a vote every time the hashtag is used.

The contest ends on April 5 at 11:59 p.m.

Claflin to Host 14th Annual First Lady's Hats and Gloves Scholarship Tea

Claflin University will host the 14th Annual First Lady's Hats & Gloves Scholarship Tea on March 17, at 6 p.m. in the Tullis Arena at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex. This special event is held each year during Women's History Month and all proceeds benefit the First Lady's Hats and Gloves Tea Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship fund is designated for academically gifted and exceptionally talented students matriculating at Claflin.

Themed "Valiant Women of the Vote," this year's event will honor former Senator Maggie W. Glover and former Representative Lucille S. Whipper.

Click here to purchase tickets or to make a financial contribution.

Claflin to Host 10th Annual Men of Color Symposium

Claflin University will host the 10th Annual Men of Color Symposium on Friday, March 27, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the W. V. Middleton Fine Arts Center. "Preparing the Mind, Spirit, and Body for Success" is the theme of this year's conference. Admission is free and the public is invited. Click here to register.

This year's symposium will seek to examine, explore, and develop strategies for black males to succeed in a global environment. The symposium will also focus on college and high school graduation rates from African-American males and how to be successful academically, socially, spiritually, mentally, and physically. The keynote speakers for this year's symposium are Dr. Maxime Madhere, Dr. Pierre Johnson and Dr. Joseph Semien Jr., and they will speak on their journey to success as three black doctors.

Claflin to Host 8th Annual Evening of Elegance Scholarship Dinner

The 8th Annual Evening of Elegance Scholarship Dinner will be held on Saturday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m., in the Tullis Arena of the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex.

Funds raised during this event benefit a special need-based scholarship fund for Claflin students. The scholarship fund is designed to assist students who have an unmet financial need beyond the financial aid resources allotted them through financial aid packages and family resources.

Click here to purchase tickets or to donate towards the scholarship fund.

Faculty News

The Times and Democrat newspaper printed an article titled "Novel coronavirus: What you need to know" written by Dr. Omar Bagasra, professor and director of The South Carolina Center for Biotechnology. The article outlined how to prevent the spreading of the virus. Click here to read the article.

Dr. Isaiah R. McGee, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, has been elected to the board of directors for the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Dr. McGee will serve as chair for Region 7 and represent schools and programs in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina and Puerto Rico. McGee will also work with other NASM Board members to provide leadership in policy development for the Association.

Alumni News

SAVE THE DATE - The Charlotte Alumni Chapter will host the 46th Claflin University International Alumni Convention on April 16-19, at the Charlotte Airport Hotel. Click here to register for the Convention.

Panther Pride

Claflin Tournament Run Ends with a 58-56 Semifinal Loss to Winston-Salem State

The Claflin University men's basketball 2020 CIAA Championship run ends with a 58-56 loss to Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) in the semifinal round of the tournament on Friday, February 28. MORE

Claflin Upsets No. 1 Seeded Virginia State in Quarterfinal of CIAA Tournament

Donnell Frayer Jr. scored a game-high 20 points and Cornellius Reynolds added 13 points as the Claflin University men's basketball team upset the No. 1 seeded team in the Northern Division Virginia State University (VSU) in the quarterfinal round of the 2020 CIAA men's basketball tournament at Bojangles' Coliseum on Wednesday, February 26. MORE

Winston-Salem State Holds off Claflin For 60-51 Win In Opening Round of CIAA Tournament

The Winston-Salem State University women's basketball team held off a fourth quarter comeback by Claflin University, using a 6-2 spread in the game's final minute to come away with a 60-51 win during the CIAA Women's Basketball Tournament opening round on Tuesday, February 25, at the Bojangles' Coliseum. MORE