March 19, 2021
The World Needs Visionaries
A Message from the President
Dr. Warmack reflects on the past year of adjustments throughout the pandemic and a hopeful return to campus in fall 2021. #ClaflinStrong #ClaflinMagic #ClaflinTogether  
 
Click here to view a message from President Warmack.
Claflin President Honored by Lowcountry Rice Culture Project
President Dwaun J. Warmack was among eight individuals to recently receive the R.I.C.E. Award by the Lowcountry Rice Culture Project. The Lowcountry Rice Culture Project serves as a clearinghouse and partnership builder for activities that explore, reveal, and reclaim the shared cultural inheritance of the southeastern Lowcountry rice industry as a basis for promoting community development and advancing the cause of human dignity. An emphasis of this organization is to examine the consequences of history and the meaning of heritage, as they are manifested in human interaction, through oral history projects, and other research and educational initiatives.

“We are absolutely thrilled to honor these individuals because of their long history of inclusive support to community life, culture and pursuit of excellence in the Lowcountry”, stated renowned international artist, Jonathan Green, founder and president of the Lowcountry Rice Culture Project.

Dr. Kim Cliett Long, event chairperson and executive director of the Lowcountry Rice Culture Project added, “We are ecstatic to present these awards at our virtual ceremony. Each of these individuals certainly exemplify longevity and excellence on their watch in their various occupations, business and community endeavors as well as loyalty and dedication to preserving the art, history, education and culture of the Lowcountry."

Click here to view the virtual presentation and the honorees' booklet.
Claflin Student Wins Award from South Carolina African American Heritage Commission
Junior mass communications major Keighla Pope has been selected to receive a “Preserving Our Places in History Award” from the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission. Pope’s documentary, titled “The Lowcountry’s Battle with COVID-10,” won in the Student Award category. The Commission will present the award to Pope on March 20 at the State Capital. The presentation will be videotaped for a virtual awards presentation in April.

Pope was nominated by Dr. Arlecia Simmons, assistant professor of mass communications at Claflin University. “My desire to nominate Keighla was because of her interest in the coronavirus’s impact on a faith community located in the Sea Islands of South Carolina,” said Simmons. “The brilliance of this documentary is that it explores the impact on not only a religious community, but also the black business community. While most churches pivoted to digital platforms to continue their services and outreach, a local church used the bowling alley parking lot to accommodate their religious services.”

Click here to watch the video presentation.
Claflin Student Awarded Scholarship from HBCU Heroes
Wes Guyton, a junior business administration major, was recently announced the winner of the Rob Covington HBCU Career Readiness Scholarship. The monetary award of $2,500 was given by Portland Trailblazers guard Robert Covington to help one HBCU student with essentials for their job or internship search (such as interview attire, WiFi, laptop, and resume writing workshops).

Covington partnered with HBCU Heroes and its "Get-That-Job-Fest" virtual event to announce the winner. A goal of HBCU Hereos is to empower youth and HBCU students with access and opportunities to pursue sustainable collegiate and career trajectories.
Faculty News
Dr. Omar Bagasra, professor and director of the SC Center for Biotechnology at Claflin University, provided his perspectives on how the COVID-19 vaccine and guidance recommended by leading health agencies can help prevent the spread of the virus in “Battling flu and COVID during ’20-21,” an editorial published on March 12, 2021, by The Times and Democrat. In the editorial, he also shares his insights on the relationship between the coronavirus and the flu. Click here to read the article.
Panther Talks Live is a webinar series that highlights Claflin University events and issues. The program features in-depth discussions with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and University supporters. Panther Talks Live engages Claflin University and surrounding communities while increasing awareness for student success, accomplishments by our distinguished alumni, faculty and staff, fundraising opportunities, and special events.
 
Click here to register to watch the next Panther Talks Live on Tuesday, March 23 at 6 p.m.

If you would like to submit questions for this virtual program, please send them to communications@claflin.edu.
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
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For more information, please call (803) 535-5348.
Panther Pride - Athletics Headlines

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
Interns: Myles Coverson-Springs, Tariq Edwards, Isaiah Griffin,
Amir Jordan and Marquel Sanders
Sports Information Director: Romanda Noble-Watson
Photographers: Cecil Williams, '60, Geoff Henderson and Colin Myers, '07