@Claflin: Claflin Receives $5 Million Grant from Google, Celebrating Juneteenth and more

June 18, 2021

The World Needs Visionaries

The NBCUniversal News Group announced that it will share special content in honor of Juneteenth across CNBC, CNBC Digital, NBC News, NBCBLK, and MSNBC. The content includes an in-depth look at the history of Juneteenth and racial inequality in the United States. Click here for a list of programs airing this weekend.

Claflin University is one of 10 institutions to receive a $5 million grant from Google, designed to help create pathways and opportunities for increased diverse representation in the STEM industry. The one-time unrestricted financial grant will provide Claflin with financial support for scholarships, technological infrastructure support, career readiness and curriculum development.

“Claflin University greatly appreciates Google’s support and transformational investment in HBCUs. The gift will enhance our commitment to providing students access to exceptional academic programs in a distinctive, culturally-diverse environment,” said Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, president of Claflin University. “This grant demonstrates the strength and trajectory of Claflin’s global reputation as a leading liberal arts university with a thriving STEM agenda. These funds will also support University initiatives related to enhancing technology in the rural communities we serve.”

Graduates from Claflin’s STEM programs have launched careers with globally-prominent tech companies, conduct results-driven research at state-of-the-art laboratories, and attend prestigious graduate and professional schools.

Claflin’s Computer Science Program earned Computer Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accreditation on October 1, 2017. Significantly, Claflin is one of only three private colleges or universities in the state of South Carolina with ABET accreditation. Equally significant, Claflin is among very few UNCF institutions with an ABET-accredited computer science program.

“I am thrilled that Google has chosen to support one of South Carolina’s HBCUs, Claflin University,” said South Carolina State Representative and Legislative Black Caucus Chair Patricia Henegan. “This generous gift will be a game-changer for students and our state as a whole as we look to increase opportunities in the STEM industry.”

This investment builds on Google’s Pathways to Tech initiative, which was announced earlier this year and is designed to build equity for HBCU computing education, help job seekers find tech roles, and ensure that Black employees have growth opportunities and feel included at work.

Granville Hicks Academy to Host Culminating Event Coaching Session for Clergy

“Developing Visionary Church Leaders on Purpose,” is the title of the final summer session of virtual events hosted by the Granville Hicks Leadership Academy on Saturday, June 26 from 9 a.m. until noon. Reggie Hammond, a renowned motivational speaker and Olu Brown, lead pastor of Impact Church in Atlanta, Ga., will be the featured presenters. The program is free and available to the public. Click here to register.

Hammond and Brown will serve as facilitators for this event and engage leaders in coaching sessions to envision themselves and their churches through the progress of their growth in three key areas: leading through a pandemic; church growth and health; and increasing generosity to fund ministry.

Clergy with the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church can use their attendance toward one unit of continuing education. Participants in the Saturday intensive will have an opportunity for one-on-one coaching with the facilitators after the event.

Claflin University was awarded a $50,000 grant by Leadership Education, a non-degree-granting initiative of Duke Divinity School, the spiritual center of Duke University, located in Durham, N.C. Funds from the grant supported for the Granville Hicks Leadership Academy’s summer sessions. Proceeds from the grant were also used to help strengthen and build capacity for the Granville Hicks Leadership Academy and improve the church history archives in the University's library.

"With this grant we expect lives to be impacted positively whereby participants will learn new methods for pastoral and lay leadership skill development, self-care practices, and ways to navigate through the pandemic," said Dr. Isaiah McGee, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

For the past 29 years, the Granville Hicks Leadership Academy conference was hosted at Claflin in January. However, due to the pandemic, the leadership and planning sessions, lectures by distinguished theologians, and worship services were presented virtually. The Granville Hicks Leadership Academy honors the Rev. Dr. Granville A. Hicks, a 1957 Claflin graduate who has been recognized for his leadership as a pastor and district superintendent in the South Carolina Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. The event began as a lecture series before evolving into a leadership academy that emphasizes connections between the academy, Claflin University, and The United Methodist Church. The Leadership Academy empowers attendees with biblical knowledge, intellectual growth and theological reflection.

“We are excited to provide clergy members and leaders within their congregations this level of coaching some cannot afford,” said Dr. Arlecia Simmons, program director for the Claflin University/Duke University Leadership Education Grant. “Our facilitators have corporate and church leadership expertise, and I trust the sessions will be transformational for those who sacrifice their time to join us.”

Hammond is committed to his mission to help leaders, teams and organizations live their purpose in their projects, business, careers and lives. He focuses on helping professionals find their forte through optimizing their passions, gifts/strengths, and market rewarding motivations in a way that impacts their purpose and the world around them. He uses this approach to help leaders drive purpose and engagement in their teams and organizations.

Brown serves as the lead pastor of Impact Church, a young congregation in the East Point community of Metropolitan Atlanta. With Brown’s vision and leadership, since its founding in 2007, Impact has grown from a core team of 25 people to more than 2,400 attendees each Sunday in person and 1,600 online. Impact redefines the church experience through inclusiveness, relatable messages, energetic weekly gatherings, unique events and activities, relevant youth programs, and community outreach.

Faculty News

Dr. Anthony Broughton, assistant professor of education, was recently selected as one of The State’s 20 under 40. The 20 under 40 awardees are usually recognized in March, but the pandemic delayed the announcement this year. The class members work in a variety of professions, from the law and education to business and government. Click here to view the Class of 2021 of the State's 20 Under 40.

To celebrate Black History, The Post and Courier and the publications of the Evening Post Newspaper Group have launched a year-long video and podcast series. 12 Black Leaders to Know will feature interviews with dynamic people across South Carolina. A different interview will publish online each month through January 2022. Click here to read the feature on Dr. Robert Greene II, assistant professor of history at Claflin University.

Student/Alumni News

Mass communications major and Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College student Dejane Lawrence conducted an interview with Cecil J. Williams, '60, which appeared online on Oprah Daily. In the interview, Williams gives insight on his love for photography and his inspiration on creating a civil rights museum in Orangeburg. Click here to read the complete interview.

Lawrence's interview was created as part of Lift Every Voice, in partnership with Lexus. Lift Every Voice records the wisdom and life experiences of the oldest generation of Black Americans by connecting them with a new generation of Black journalists. The oral history series is running across Hearst magazine, newspaper, and television websites around Juneteenth 2021. Go to oprahdaily.com/lifteveryvoice for the complete portfolio.

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.

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.

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Claflin University

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