@Claflin: Fall 2021 Move-in Day, Claflin Eliminates Student Balances, and more

August 6, 2021

The World Needs Visionaries

2021 Fall Semester Move-in Day

Members of the Claflin University freshman class and new students moved into their residence halls on August 6 while the move-in dates for returning students is August 10 and 11. Click here to see pictures of move-in day. Photos courtesy of Alex Beavers, Geoff Henderson, George Johnson, and Colin Myers.

Claflin Students Hope To Find Normalcy As They Return To Campus For 2021 Fall Semester

As Claflin students make their final preparations to return to campus for the 2021 Fall Semester, the disruption and uncertainty caused last year by the COVID-19 pandemic has - as expected - left a lingering impression.

“It was life changing, said Christopher Key a senior business management major from Orangeburg, S.C. “Now that we are coming back it’s like we can breathe again. It was very stressful for the students, staff, and faculty. Everyone is looking forward to returning to campus. We are hopeful that we will be able to enjoy the campus and the college experience for the full year.”

Key believes that the COVID-19 protocols and guidance established by Claflin administrators will be effective in mitigating the spread of the virus on the campus.

“Claflin has a good plan that will help students, faculty, and staff stay safe,” he said. “This includes the plan for the dining hall where we are asked to limit our time to 30 minutes so others can spend time and eat with their friends. The policies will allow us to interact with friends while adhering to social distancing to stay safe.”

Arteria Gibson said she expects the staff and students to do their part so that the campus will have a sense of normalcy. "We thought we're going on Spring Break and after it was extended we never came back,” she said. “I am looking forward to the full in-person learning that I need to be successful as a student.”

Gibson is a junior mass communications major from Columbia, S.C.

Claflin University Eliminates Student Account Balances from Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and Summer 2021

Claflin University students received some welcomed news when President Dwaun J. Warmack announced that the account balances for students enrolled from Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and Summer 2021 would be eliminated. The University dedicated $1 million to clear debts for more than 700 students.

“Our students have gone through a lot during the past 18-19 months since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, “Warmack said. “It has impacted students emotionally, psychologically, and financially. When members of our cabinet discussed how many Claflin students are eligible for the Pell Grant and are first generation college students, we looked at opportunities for how could help them.”

Warmack said that in addition to eliminating student debts, Claflin University has provided free summer tuition, CU CARES (alumni and friends) donations, stipends, laptops, hotspots, and CARES ACT student distributions.

“We received institutional money that could have been used for COVID-19 protocols,” Warmack said. “But the cabinet decided to use $1 million to wipe out all of the balances on the students’ accounts. We agreed that we wanted them to return for the Fall semester with a fresh start. I take my hat off to the financial aid and fiscal affairs teams. The sole purpose of the debt forgiveness was to help students who had previous balances that would have prevented them from continuing their education. We wanted them to come back prepared and focused for the visionary leadership experience and the Claflin Magic that awaits them.”

Alumni News

Pictured from left to right: Jalyn Brooks, Tamia Valentine, Dr. Marcus Burgess, Wes Guyton, and Tennille Jean-Paul.

The Central Savannah River Area Chapter of Claflin University International Alumni Association held its 12th Annual Scholarship Gala on Friday, July 23, at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion in Evans, Ga. President Tennille Jean-Paul, ’00, made a check presentation to Dr. Marcus H. Burgess, ’96, interim vice president of Institutional Advancement, in the amount of $25,000, all of which went to the CSRA Alumni Chapter endowment fund. Other highlights of the event were presentations to three outstanding Claflin students who were awarded $1,500 scholarships and winners of the Chapter’s annual scholarship raffle who received their share of $11,200 in prize money. The three students are Jalyn A. Brooks, Wes U. Guyton, and Tamia J. Valentine.

Jalyn A. Brooks is a junior biology major. She is a member of the Physician Assistant Club, D.R.E.A.M. Gospel Choir, the Minority Association of Pre-med Students and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Upon completing her undergraduate studies, she plans to enroll in a physician assistant program.

Wes U. Guyton is a senior business administration major. He is a member of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College. He is also a church musician, public speaker, published author, church youth coordinator, tutor, and HBCU Heroes student ambassador.

Tamia J. Valentine is senior digital design major. She is a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society and she continues to play three sports: volleyball, basketball, and softball. After graduating from Claflin, she plans to attend the University North Carolina-Charlotte or the University of Florida for a master’s degree in urban design.

Another highlight of the evening was the raffling of $11,200. Winners included:

Reggie Barner of Aiken, SC (a basket from Massage Envy compliments of Dwayne Harper)
Dr. Franklyn Scott of Philadelphia, Pa., $100
Reginald Minnigan of Evans, Ga., $100
Gloria Wright of North Augusta, SC, $100
Linda Banks of Orangeburg, S.C., $100
James O'Berry of Houston, Tex., $100
Melvin Baskin of Augusta, Ga., $100
Richard Williams of S.C., $100
Reggie Barner of Aiken, S.C., Split Grand Prize, $5,000
Margarie Jarmon of Augusta, Georgia, Split Grand Prize, $5,000
Hezekiah L. Hayes, Jr. of Aiken, South Carolina, the lucky loser winner, $500

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.