September 29, 2023

The World Needs Visionaries

https://forms.office.com/r/K5YgPcTv6L

Claflin University Hosts 2023 Fall Career Fair

Thank you to the following organizations that participated in the 2023 Fall Career Fair on September 27, sponsored by Claflin University’s Department of Career Services.

ABC Columbia - WOLO

About Play

Aflac

AgFirst Farm Credit Bank

BMW

Breakthru Beverage

City of Aiken

City Year

Delaware State University

Dept. of Justice - FCI Edgefield

DHEC

Dominion Energy

Duck Creek

Enhancing Capacity in Mental Health

Enterprise Holdings

Fastenal

FBI

FDIC

Greenville Police Department

Greenwood Genetics

Greystar

Guild Mortgage

Guilford County Schools

Lexington School District One

Milliken and Company

Nucor

Oshkash Defense

Palmetto Citizens Credit Union

Robert Bosch Corporation

Saga Education

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions

SC Department of Social Services

SC Department of Transportation

ScanSource

South Carolina Department of Revenue

Syracuse School District

TD Synnex

Teach For America

Truist Bank Mortgage

USC - College of Nursing

Veteran Affairs

Wells Fargo

Windstream

Claflin University Scholar Establishes W.H.I.S.P.E.R. Program to Support Women Education Majors

Jordan Pritcher is a senior early education major who embodies what defines a “visionary leader” at Claflin University. Pritcher is a senior early education administration major from Savannah, Ga. She is also the founder and president of Women Heroically Inspiring Students Professionally Educationally and Respectfully (W.H.I.S.P.E.R.), the first student organization exclusively for female education majors at Claflin University.

The organization’s mission is to promote the intellectual and social development of women education majors at the University. The organization works with current college and high school students who aspire to careers in education.

“I created W.H.I.S.P.E.R. after noticing the different opportunities presented to men who are education majors, especially through Call Me M.I.S.T.E.R. that are not available to the women in the program,” Pritcher said. “In addition to promoting women educators, we want to create a network of women education majors and supporters who will inspire the young ladies in high school to become educators.

Dr. Dora Waymer is the organization’s advisor. Waymer is the executive director of educational programs and coordinator for the Master of Education Program.

“Jordan has a passion for creating access to high-quality education for diverse populations,” Waymer said. “She is an exceptional communicator who possesses the ability to navigate through complex and seemingly difficult situations. Jordan is a problem solver and a consensus builder – essential skills for an outstanding leader.”

Last summer. W.H.I.S.P.E.R. hosted a five-day workshop for aspiring educators from Claflin and the local high schools. A vital component of WHISPER is W.I.S.E. (Women Inspiring Students Educationally), which comprises high school girls who learn how to prepare for college as education majors and effective study techniques for the PRAXIS exam. The students also discussed professionalism in the classroom – including how to dress for success during the workshop.

“I hope we can increase our membership and attract donors and sponsors that will provide funding for scholarships, internships, and our participation at national conferences,” Pritcher said.

Student Spotlight - 2022-2023 Academic Honors List

Students with high academic achievement are listed on the President's List, Dean’s List, or Honor Roll following the semester in which the achievement was attained. Click here to view the 2022-2023 Academic Honors list. Congratulations, Claflin scholars!

Click here to watch the Town Hall meeting live on Facebook.

Claflin University’s Outstanding Leaders Under 40 presents an evening with R&B group, 112, with an opening performance by Marcus Allen. Click here to purchase tickets while supplies last.

Claflin University to Host Prayer Breakfast to Support Student Scholarships

Claflin University will host its annual United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Ecumenical Day of Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 9 a.m. in the Auxiliary Gym of the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex. The prayer breakfast is a fundraiser to support scholarships for Claflin University students. Admission is $50 for individual tickets.

The Reverend Dr. J. Derrick Cattenhead, pastor of the North Orangeburg United Methodist Church, will be the keynote speaker. Cattenhead is from Lake City, S.C., and graduated from Lake City High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina–Columbia, a master's degree in human resource management from Keller Graduate School of Management, a master's degree in divinity from Gammon Theological Seminary at The ITC, and a Doctor of Ministry from Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

Dr. Cattenhead has served as a mentor in various school systems and other agencies throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. He is a United States Navy veteran and a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Additionally, he has served as a Board of Trustee and Advisor for several civic and community organizations.

Dr. Cattenhead has served in various capacities in the United Methodist Church. He was a student pastor at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Timmonsville, S.C., a local pastor at Salem United Methodist Church in Florence, S.C., and an associate pastor at Central United Methodist Church in Florence, S.C.

He is currently the senior pastor at North Orangeburg United Methodist Church in Orangeburg, S.C. He is also the chairperson of Proclamation and Preaching and Parliamentarian on the SCUMC Board of Ordained Ministry and a member of the Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Dr. Cattenhead is an Ordained Elder in Full Connection in the South Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Dr. Cattenhead is married to the former Chasie Latoya McClam, his soulmate and childhood sweetheart. Chasie is a profound certified educator and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. They are the parents of four children: Derrick, Tyler, Jynesis, and Chase. Dr. Cattenhead strongly advocates for initiatives addressing political practices perpetuating poverty, homelessness, social injustice, sexism, and racism. His life mission statement is – "I endeavor to Inspire, Encourage, and Empower ALL people to move towards Godly Living with the help of the Holy Spirit."

To purchase tickets or sponsorships, click here or call (803) 535-5776.

$10 Off All Session and Single Session Tickets for 2024 CIAA Championship Basketball Tournament

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®), the nation’s oldest historically Black athletic conference, returns to Baltimore, Maryland for the 2024 Men's and Women's Championship Basketball Tournament. The CIAA Basketball Tournament will be held at the newly remodeled and renamed CFG Bank Arena from February 26-March 3, 2024.

Feel the pulse of Baltimore this February! Be the FIRST to get your tickets to the 2024 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Championship Basketball Tournament in Charm City. February is CIAA and the CIAA and Visit Baltimore are asking fans to come and enjoy 26 Basketball showdowns, Fan Fest, step shows, parties, Career Expo, Education Day, A-list performances and so much more!

Fans and the public can take advantage of the $10 off any ticket during the CIAA MEDIA DAY SALE by using the promo code MEDIA10. Limited time offer from September 25 through October 9, 2023. First come, first served tickets are available HERE. Use our official promo code [CLAFLIN].

For more information about the 2024 CIAA Basketball Tournament in Baltimore, visit CIAATOURNAMENT.ORG.

Friday, November 17, 2023, 7 p.m.

Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex

Click here to purchase tickets or sponsorship.

Alumni News

The National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. will host its Annual Induction Ceremony, Friday, September 29, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Each year, Alumni of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) are honored for significant contributions they have made to their respective institution. Congratulations to Dr. Melissa C. Green Parker, '91, who is receiving the award for science.

Dr. Parker is an accomplished public health professional who currently works for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a Scientific Advisor within its Office of Disease Prevention (ODP). In this capacity, she provides critical leadership to two NIH-wide research initiatives that address unmet prevention research needs, the Prevention Scientific Interest Groups (SIGs) and ODP’s signature Pathways to Prevention (P2P) Program. Prior to joining the ODP, Dr. Green Parker spent years excelling as a leader in various capacities, including Program Director in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Health Sciences Program Manager for the Department of Defense (DoD), and Division Director at the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation.

In the late 1990’s, the Silver Spring, Md., native earned her Ph.D. from the Indiana University School of Medicine (Indianapolis, IN) and became the school’s first African American student to receive a doctorate from its Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department. The tenacity and motivation to pursue her doctorate was borne through her interactions with HBCU faculty, staff, and students at Claflin. As a result of Claflin’s professors and administrators taking a sincere interest in both her educational and personal growth, she graduated summa cum laude from Claflin as the valedictorian of her class with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry.

Thank you Dennis Richmond Jr., '17, for always bleeding “Orange and Maroon” and dropping Claflin University’s name on FOX News. Richmond is a middle school teacher in New York and is the author of “He Spoke at My School: An Educational Journey."

Congratulations to Megan Rivers, '10, who is now the co-anchor of WBAL TV 11 News Today in Baltimore, Md. Since January 2023, she served as the station's daily breaking news anchor. "We're excited for Megan to have a seat at the anchor desk," commented Dan Joerres, President and General Manager of WBAL-TV, WBAL NewsRadio and 98 Rock. "Her focus on breaking news has proven to be an impactful addition to our 'Live, Local Late Breaking' morning newscast and will continue to be an ongoing focus for 11 News Today." Prior to joining WBAL-TV 11, Rivers served as a reporter in Washington, D.C. for three years where she covered the historic March on Washington in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd.