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Claflin University Ranked Fifth as Nation's Top 10 in Alumni Giving Percentage 
U.S. News and World Report Short List ranked Claflin University fifth on its list of the nation's top 10 colleges and universities in alumni giving percentage during the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 academic years. In that period, the 10 institutions with the highest percentages of undergraduate alumni donors boasted an average giving rate of 51.5 percent.

Claflin, the only historically black college/university (HBCU) that appears in the Top 10, saw its average percentage of alumni who donated increase from 47.7 percent in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 to 50.4 percent in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016.

Princeton University is ranked first with 60.8 percent alumni giving.

Below is a list of the 10 schools - nine of which are  National Liberal Arts Colleges - with the highest two-year average percentage of undergraduate alumni donors in 2014-2015 and 2015- 2016. 

School name (state)

Two-year average percentage of alumni who donated
U.S. News rank and category

60.8%
1, National Universities

56.7%
58 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges

54.5%
3 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges

53.6%
1, National Liberal Arts Colleges

50.4%
173-229, National Liberal Arts Colleges

49%
3 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges

48.5%
8 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges

47.5%
10 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges

47.1%
10 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges

46.9%
2, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Scholarship for Cheerleaders Established at Claflin University 
A scholarship has been established at Claflin University to support one of the University's most visible and vocal student groups - the cheerleader team.  The Dr. Tolanda Tyler Academic Cheerleader Scholarship Fund will award a $1,000 scholarship annually to a senior cheerleader. The scholarship is funded by Dr. Tolanda Tyler, a 2001 graduate and former Claflin cheerleader.
 
"It has always been my goal and passion to give back to my Alma Mater," said Tyler. "I know from experience some of the financial challenges students face while trying to earn a college degree. I am hopeful my scholarship will lessen the burden for a deserving student and make their journey to degree completion less difficult."
 
The scholarship recipient must have achieved a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average and participated in one or more school organizations/activities or one or more areas of community service. Scholarship applications will be judged based on community involvement, academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, quality of character, life goals and interests, obstacles overcome, and meaningful objectives achieved. Applications will be reviewed each June of the perspective academic year and the scholarship will be awarded in August of the same year. The scholarship can also be used for tuition, books, or supplies.
 
Tyler was a cheerleader at Claflin from 1997-2001, however she started cheerleading at age seven. She cheered in high school before arriving at Claflin where she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology. The Cheraw, S.C., native continued to cheer after graduating from Claflin with several professional sports teams in the NFL and NBA. Tyler also continued her education and earned a master's degree in psychology/community counseling at Troy State University and a doctorate in general psychology at Capella University. She currently works as a college professor of psychology and education services specialist with the Department of the Air Force (Pentagon). Tyler and her husband Aaron are the parents of Madison, Aaron Jr. and Aiden.
 
"I am supporting a cheerleader scholarship because they make tremendous sacrifices to support the athletic program and the University," said Tyler. "Current and former cheerleaders are among Claflin's most loyal students and alumni. I am hopeful other alumni cheerleaders will join me in supporting scholarships for the cheerleading team."
Alumni News

On Monday, June 18, the Orangeburg County Chapter of the Claflin University International Alumni Association presented a check for $10,000 to President Henry N. Tisdale and the University to support the student scholarship fund.

Claflin's alumni giving percentage is the highest at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and it ranks among the leaders at all of the nation's colleges and universities. 
June 21, 2018
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@Claflin is published by the Office of Communications & Marketing 
President: Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, '65
Vice President for Institutional Advancement: Rev. Whittaker V. Middleton, '73
Assistant Vice President for Communications & Marketing: George Johnson Jr.
Public Relations Director: J. Craig Cotton
Web Communications Manager: Colin Myers, '07
Sports Information Director: Romanda Noble-Watson
Photographers: Cecil Williams, '60, Geoff Henderson and Colin Myers, '07