The World Needs Visionaries
Claflin University Computer Science Program Earns National Accreditation
Claflin University has received national acclaim for the exceptional quality of its academic programs and success for producing an impressive number of STEM graduates. Many of these graduates 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 STEM profile grew even larger when the Computer Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) recently granted accreditation to the Computer Science Program, effective retroactively to October 1, 2017.  Significantly, Claflin is now 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.

"ABET accreditation of our computer science program sends a powerful message to parents, students, and employers that Claflin's computer science program meets the highest national quality standard," Claflin President Henry N. Tisdale said. "This national recognition is consistent with our Strategic Plan and the strategic goal, Academic Excellence."

ABET is a non-governmental accrediting agency for programs in applied and natural science, computting, engineering and engineering technology. ABET is recognized as an accreditor by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation.
 
"This represents the first ABET accreditation for the computer science program at Claflin for which launched in 2006," said Dr. Verlie Tisdale, Dean of the School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. "It means our computer science program has been thoroughly vetted by higher education and industry professionals. The accreditation confirms that we have a high-quality program. It changes the dynamics of our recruiting because students want to attend a school with an accredited program. Prospective employers know that it is an excellent program." 

Dr. Verlie Tisdale said the evaluators' assessment included the academic strength of the program, student performance and learning outcomes, educational objectives, and how the program has improved since it began more than a decade ago.

"They also reviewed how the computer science program is meeting the academic needs of the university and preparing students for the industry needs of today's workforce," said Dr. Verlie Tisdale. "They wanted to make certain we are teaching students who can analyze problems and design and implement programs that find solutions to those problems. Our accreditation is retroactive to October 2017. This means that computer science graduates who earned degrees last May in the Class of 2018 are the first to graduate from Claflin as an ABET accredited institution."  

Computer science joins the list of other academic programs that have earned national accreditation, including education, business, chemistry, and music.

"I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Office of the Provost, the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and the Office of Institutional Effectiveness  who worked tirelessly during the entire accreditation process to achieve this outcome for our students and the University," said President Tisdale. "Let us continue this path of excellence throughout the academic year."

Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College Welcomes 65 New Visionary Leaders

Claflin University welcomed 65 students into the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College during an induction ceremony on Tuesday, September 4, at the James and Dorothy Z. Elmore Chapel. Included were 52 freshmen and 13 other matriculating students who were accepted into the program for the 2018-19 academic year. The annual event officially introduces the new Honors College inductees to the campus community and serves as their first official meeting of the academic year.
 
This year's theme for the Honors College, "Act on Purpose," was developed by sophomore biology major, Eden Wiggins. In her keynote address, Wiggins stated why she came up with the theme. "When I came up with the theme, it was my intention to inspire myself and my peers to be conscious of the actions and the steps we take as they affect the route to our destiny. 'Act on Purpose' has many meanings. One meaning is to be conscious of one's daily actions and to ensure that every action is planned, calculated or premeditated. Additionally, the phrase refers to the fact that every decision, action, or step we make is directly related to our purpose in that it shapes our ability to successfully chart, walk, live and eventually thrive in it," she said.
 
This year's freshman class includes six Presidential Scholars, three students who were class valedictorians as high school seniors and two who were salutatorians of their senior class. The freshmen inductees hail from Illinois, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, New Jersey, Ohio and Alabama. Eleven are from international countries including Ghana, Nepal, India, Nigeria, Jamaica and Greece.
 
Mrs. Alice Carson Tisdale, director of the Honors College and First Lady of Claflin University, addressed the audience with a heartfelt message. "As the program started, I looked around at all of the students and the work they had done. The students put this whole program together. I had very little to do with this. I stood on the sidelines and watched, because this is my last year," she said. Last spring, her husband, President Henry N. Tisdale, announced that he will retire on June 30, 2019, after 25 years as Claflin's eighth president. 
 
In 1996, the Claflin University Board of Trustees renamed the University's honors program - The Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College. The Honors College has provided a platform for Mrs. Tisdale to make a difference in the lives of hundred of students selected for the Honors College. Under her direction, the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College has been strengthened and expanded to reflect Claflin's commitment to cultivating academically outstanding students. Admissions standards were raised and initiatives were implemented to enhance the experience of honors college students at every level.  The goal was to prepare these high-achieving students for prestigious graduate and professional schools, and become globally engaged visionary leaders in their chosen careers.
 
The Honors College provides a full academic and college experience that includes high-level learning, ongoing academic advising, cultural enrichment opportunities, community service experiences, and other programs designed to enhance and develop the student's academic and leadership potential. Honors students take special honors courses in their core curriculum and within their specific areas of study. Honors courses are accelerated and academically challenging, highlighted by active engagement, collaborative problem solving, and a greater amount of reflective thinking.

Watch the 150th Matriculation Day Convocation 
Online

Claflin University will host its 150th Matriculation Day Convocation at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 6 in the Edward L. Tullis Arena at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center. The Matriculation Day Convocation symbolizes the official opening of the new school year. All students, faculty and staff participate and the general public is also invited to attend.

You can watch the 150th Matriculation Day Convocation service live on September 6 at 11 a.m. by clicking here

Claflin University Hosts Constitution Day Assembly 
Claflin University's annual Constitution Day Assembly will be held on Monday, September 10 at 11 a.m. in Ministers' Hall. The guest speaker is Dr. Chris L. Johnson, a life coach for the University of South Carolina men's basketball team. Dr. Johnson is also the managing director of Leevy's Funeral Home and campus pastor of  Brookland  Baptist Church, Northeast. 

The event is held to  honor the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787. The legislation authorizing this Day states, "Each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year should hold an educational program on the United States Constitution for the students served by the educational institution." 

The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme law of the United States. It is the foundation and source of the legal authority underlying the existence of the United States of America and the Federal Government of the United States. It also provides the framework for the organization of the United States Government. 

Claflin University to Host Annual UNCF Community Prayer Breakfast
Claflin University will host its 17th annual United Negro College Fund Community Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, October 6, at 9 a.m. in the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center, Tullis Arena. The prayer breakfast is a fundraiser to support scholarships for students at Claflin University.
 
The Rev. Leonard Huggins, pastor of the Shady Grove, Trinity and St. Mark United Methodist Churches in St. George, S.C., will be the keynote speaker. The program also includes performances by the Claflin University Gospel Choir D.R.E.A.M. and The Community Prayer Breakfast Ministers' Choir. 
 
Admission is $250 per table (10 seats) and $15 for individual tickets. The deadline to purchase tickets is Friday, September 28. 
 
For more information and to purchase tickets call (803) 535-5722.

Alumni News
On July 29, Kierra Carter, '17, was featured in the Times and Democrat newspaper for her heroic efforts in rescuing trapped motorists on an Orangeburg street. The former Miss Claflin is now a graduate student at South Carolina State University studying rehabilitation counseling. Click here to read her account of that day.

Panther Pride
Claflin Goes 0-2 in 2018 Season Opening Contests

The Claflin University women's volleyball team fell to Paine College (2-3) and Allen University (0-3), Monday, September 3, in a tri-match at Allen University in John Hurst Adams Gym in Columbia, S.C.
 
The Lady Panthers will take part in the first of two CIAA round-ups against Northern Division opponents on September 8 and 9. Claflin will play three matches in two days in Petersburg, Va., taking on Virginia State University and Elizabeth City State University on September 8 and Chowan University on September 9.
September 5, 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