March 24, 2023
The World Needs Visionaries
Claflin University Celebrates Storytellers and High Fashion at the 15th Annual First Lady's Hats and Gloves Scholarship Tea
From left: Claflin First Lady LaKisha Warmack with scholarship recipients Shamiya Lemons, Payton Jackson, and Summer Edmond.
A colorful panorama of stylishly accessorized hats, fashionable skirts and dresses, and a delicious assortment of flavored teas helped highlight a spirit of sisterhood at the 15th Annual First Lady's Hats and Gloves Scholarship Tea on Saturday, March 18 at Claflin's Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex. "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” was the theme of this year's fundraiser that supports scholarships for outstanding Claflin students.

“Our theme aligns with Women's History Month," said LaKisha Warmack, Claflin's First Lady and the wife of the University's ninth president, Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack. "It is a meaningful tribute to women who have been active in all forms of media and storytelling, including print, radio, TV, stage, screen, blogs, podcasts, and more.”

The honorees were Tamika Felder, an award-winning, high-energy motivational speaker on a mission to educate, entertain, and mobilize others to live life with purpose; Vivian Glover, a part-time director of community arts and development at the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center in Orangeburg, S.C. who is also an independent producer and a producer for NBC News; and Tammy J. McCottry, founder and CEO of Tammy Media Group, LLC (TMG, LLC), a television, event management production, public relations, and consulting company.

"These women have dedicated their lives to telling stories, testimonies, and advocated and created content and spaces for other women to share theirs," Warmack said. "Your commitment and unwavering support of this event are greatly appreciated. As a woman, sometimes it is hard to find true genuine friendship. The success of everyone should be an inspiration for others. We should uplift each other and make sure you are courageous, strong, extremely kind, and above all, humble. Our 2023 honorees embody every single word."

A trio of academically talented Claflin students was also honored during the event. Shamiyah Lemons, a freshman marketing major from Norwood, Ga; Payton Jackson, a junior political science major from St. Louis, Mo., and Summer Edmond, a freshman mass communications major from Columbia, S.C., were selected as the 2023 First Lady’s Hats and Gloves Scholarship Tea Scholars. 

Each student received a $1,000 scholarship per semester for one year. They also received laptop computers donated by Mrs. Emma Harvin, wife of Moses L. Harvin ’75, a former member of Claflin’s Board of Trustees. Mrs. Harvin is also president of One Source Office Products in Rockledge, Fla.
"We know these extraordinary young visionaries will achieve their dreams," Warmack said. "We hope that after they graduate -- they will return to Claflin as honorees at this event."

Arischa Conner Frierson, a 1998 Claflin graduate, was the mistress of ceremonies. She is best known for her recurring role in Hulu's Emmy Award-winning limited original series, "Dopesick," with Michael Keaton. Some of her other credits include co-starring in the Apple TV+ series, "Swagger," directed by Reggie "Rock" Bythewood (CBS), "The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey" with Samuel L. Jackson, and a recurring role on "Players," now streaming on Paramount +. She's also appeared on "All American" (The CW), "The Resident" (Fox), and "Mike" (Hulu) as Dr. Maya Angelou. Before her break into TV and film, Frierson flourished on the theatre stage, earning her a Broadway World Regional nomination for Best Actress.

A "Hat"TITUDE contest concluded the festivities as participants showcased their dazzling hats and paraded past the podium -- much to the audience's delight. Three contestants forced a deadlock by receiving the loudest applause, and the competition ended in a tie.

Click here to see pictures from the First Lady's Hats and Gloves Scholarship Tea.
First Lady LaKisha Warmack with First Lady's Hats and Gloves Scholarship Tea Honorees: Tammy McCottry, Tamika Felder, and Vivian Glover. Also pictured also committee members Dr. Monica Greene and Dr. Peggy S. Ratliff 
Claflin University to Raise Money to Support Student Scholarships on UNCF Day of Giving
Claflin University will host its United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Day of Giving Campaign on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. The fundraising goal for this year’s virtual event is $25,000 to support student scholarships.
 
Please make your donation on April 19 using one of the following:
 
 
Gifts will be acknowledged during the live broadcasts on Claflin;s Facebook page from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
 
For more information, please call Brianna Kelly at (803) 535-5377.
PantherCam - U.S. Energy Foundation Visits Claflin University
On Thursday, March 24, 2023, Claflin University hosted guests from the U.S. Energy Foundation. The U.S. Energy Foundation (EF) is a partnership of philanthropies focused on securing a clean and equitable energy future to tackle the climate crisis. Since 1991, Energy Foundation grantees have made significant progress in the largest-emitting sectors of the economy in the states with the greatest potential for carbon abatement. The EF envisions a healthy, safe, equitable economy powered by clean energy. The guests spoke to selected Claflin University faculty and students about funding opportunities and internships. Visiting organizations of EF included:
  • Conservation Voters of SC, Coastal Conservation League
  • Southern Environmental Law Center
  • Southeast Sustainability Directors Network
  • Upstate Forever
  • Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance
  • Sustaining Way
  • South Carolina Interfaith Power & Light
  • Audobon Society
  • Vote Solar
  • Sierra Club
Alumni News
Congratulations to the newly elected officers of the Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Claflin University International Alumni Association. Claflin University President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack attended the meeting where the new officers were selected. They are:

President: DeQuanda Sanders, '97
Vice President: Delvon Benson, '08
Secretary: Taluezeta Cuttino, '06
Assistant Secretary: Zakkiyah Geter, '05
Treasurer: Andrea Mercer, '97
Chaplain: Josephine Kitt, '19
Parliamentarian: LaShay Austin, '99
400 Magnolia Street
Orangeburg, SC 29115 
(803) 535-5000
@Claflin is published by the Office of Communications & Marketing 
President: Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack
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/Photographer: Colin Myers, '07
Multimedia Graphic Designer: Brittny Cokley
Director of Athletic Media Relations: Trevin Q. Goodwin
Photographers: Cecil Williams, '60 and Geoff Henderson