@Claflin: Claflin University Hurdles COVID-19 Disruption to Increase Enrollment and more

The World Needs Visionaries

A Message From the President

It has been a year since I began my tenure as Claflin University's ninth president. In retrospect, it has been an enlightening and rewarding experience and the past six months have been remarkably challenging due to COVID-19. However, your collective generosity during this global crisis has been an unequivocal testament to the University's "Value Proposition," which states that "Student success at Claflin University is characterized by persistence toward graduation, receipt of prestigious fellowships and scholarships, admission into competitive graduate and professional schools and recruitment by major companies and agencies." Your unwavering support also affirms that Claflin University is here because of you. It's an indisputable fact that we do not take for granted.

The 2020 Fall Semester is in progress and members of the Class of 2024 and returning students are beginning or

continuing their pursuit of academic excellence through our world-class faculty and innovative teaching. Despite the

unique and unimaginable disruption caused by COVID-19, Claflin's upward trajectory as one of the nation's premier

institutions of higher education has continued. Because of you, my "Claflin Confidence," assures me that Claflin students

will receive sufficient financial support and other critical resources that will allow them to earn a Claflin degree.

That is why it is so important that you make a gift to the Claflin Fund - the University's Alumni, Family and Friends

Campaign - to support scholarships and program enhancement initiatives. These are essential needs that contribute to the University's capacity to recruit and retain high-achieving scholars; maintain prestigious national accreditations and rankings; attract accomplished, student-focused faculty; and technology upgrades which improve the efficacy of remote teaching and learning. Our goal is to raise more than $1 million and surpass the 50 percent mark in alumni annual giving. (To be included in this year's Founder's Day report, your gift must be made by October 15, 2020.)

Claflin is here because, after more than 150 years, you and other constituents and stakeholders have helped preserve the

University's proud legacy as "South Carolina's oldest HBCU and the first institution of higher education to welcome all

students regardless of race, gender, religious or ethnic origin."

Claflin is here because of you and we need you more than ever during this exciting, new chapter of our illustrious University "On a Hilltop High."

Your gift to the Claflin Fund will help us continue to create transformative opportunities for future generations of visionary leaders and the entire campus community. Please click here and select from the giving options listed and your method of payment.

Claflin is here because of you - and your gift is greatly appreciated.

With Panther Pride,

Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack

President

Claflin University Hurdles COVID-19 Disruption to Increase Enrollment

Claflin University's upward trajectory as a premier liberal arts institution has been the impetus for prestigious rankings by respected authorities in higher education and nationally-recognized publications. The University's impressive reputation also includes its focus on student success, which may explain why despite the disruption caused by COVID-19, the total of freshman students entering Claflin for the 2020-21 academic year is 9.3 percentage points higher than last year. Claflin was the school of choice for 564 talented new scholars seeking a rigorous academic experience that will prepare them to become globally-engaged visionary leaders.

"Since March, when our lives and every aspect of culture and society were altered by COVID-19, Claflin administrators, faculty and staff have been resolute and steadfast in our commitment to sustained academic excellence and exemplary customer service to our students, and our constituents and stakeholders," said Claflin President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack. "This has been an arduous effort and we have made adjustments, as needed, along the way. But we remain dedicated to fostering a transformative educational, cultural, and spiritual environment at Claflin that promotes global engagement and visionary leadership. Mr. Reynolda Brown and the Office of Enrollment Management staff deserve special acknowledgement for bringing some of the nation's and the world's best and brightest young minds into the Claflin Family."

Claflin's Class of 2024 comprises high-achieving scholars from 17 states, 43 of South Carolina's 47 counties, and three international countries. The class also has 131 State of South Carolina Hope and Life Scholars; 49 Rudolph Canzater Scholars, and three Presidential Scholars who will join 40 other freshmen as members of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College. The class has a combined 3.64 grade point average.

"I was a bit worried initially," said Brown, who inSeptember 2019 was appointed interim vice president of enrollment management at Claflin. Brown looked back to March when the global pandemic's path of disruption was gaining momentum and the term "social distancing" was becoming both a life-saving measure and a mainstream lexicon.

"The busiest period for college recruiters begins in March and continues through the summer months," Brown said. "This is when we conduct most of our campus tours with individual students, student groups, and parents."

However, state and municipal governments were closing businesses and prohibiting large gatherings to mitigate the potential spread of the virus. That prompted Warmack to organize a committee of campus administrators and faculty to analyze and review current trends in student recruitment. From their discussions, the committee concluded that effective student engagement could continue by utilizing interactive social media platforms and other technologies. Among Claflin's initial strategies was the production of a new virtual tour to showcase one of its vital recruiting assets - the University's historic and picturesque campus. Claflin also expanded its use of Zoom and invested in a new text messaging system. Both were instrumental in helping his recruiters overcome a major hurdle - not being able to meet in-person with students and their families due to COVID-19.

"We were forced to implement all of our recruitment strategies - related to student-engagement - exclusively in the digital space," said Brown whose career in enrollment management in higher education spans 25 years. "We discovered that the texting platform was the most effective method of reaching our students. We saw a 99 percent rate of response to our text messages compared to a 30 percent response rate to our emails."

Brown said that Warmack, cabinet members, academic deans, and financial aid administrators participated in Town Hall Zoom Meetings with parents and students which expanded the University's "virtual personal touch."

"Claflin University has a very strong brand throughout South Carolina and its neighboring states," Brown said. "I heard several times how much students were looking forward to the 'Black Ivy League Experience' at Claflin. We would have enrolled at least 300 more students if not for our COVID-19 guidance which will reduce on-campus housing."

Brown admitted that the virus has dramatically changed recruiting at Claflin and other colleges and universities. However, the University's nimble response to the crisis - including the use of emerging technology - provided Claflin an opportunity to recalibrate several processes that align with the future of higher education.

"In less than a year, Claflin transitioned from a traditional classroom and online environment to hybrid, online, and digital teaching and learning platforms," Brown said. "The real credit goes to our leadership and the collective efforts of every department and program at Claflin. We took charge of the moment and turned a crisis into a success story that elevated every aspect of the University."

Claflin University Theatre Ensemble to be Showcased at Virtual Black Theatre Festival

The Claflin University Theatre Ensemble will be featured at the 2020 Virtual Black Theatre Festival on Thursday, October 1, at 10 a.m. The festival will showcase "I DIDN'T KNOW" written by Claflin alumni Kayla Richardson, '18, and Perriece Ledbetter, '19, under the direction of Annette Dees Grevious, associate professor of speech and drama. The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival, normally held at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center in Decatur, Ga, features 40 theatrical performances over four days mostly produced by a cadre of professional theatre companies. Because of the pandemic, the event will be held virtually.

In 2019, the Claflin University Theatre Ensemble debuted a full performance of its original production titled "I DIDN'T KNOW" at the festival, while participating in a monologue competition, workshops, and master class held by actress T'Keyah Crystal. Commissioned to be written by the Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five in 2018, "I DIDN'T KNOW" explores issues of teenage pregnancy prevention, sexual identity, diversity, and inclusion. The play was first performed on the campus of Claflin University in March 2019, and made its ABTF debut as a staged reading in October 2019.

Click here to purchase tickets and here for a program guide.

Claflin University to Host 2020 UNCF Ecumenical Day of Prayer

Claflin University will host the 2020 UNCF Ecumenical Day of Prayer on Saturday, October 3, at 9 a.m. This virtual event (to be aired on Claflin's YouTube page) is a fundraiser to support scholarships for Claflin University students. The program will include musical performances by the Claflin University Concert Choir, D.R.E.A.M. Gospel Choir and Minister Rosemary Griffin and Friends.

Local clergy will offer prayer and inspirational messages during this interdenominational program. Featured ministers include Pastor Eddie Williams, Trinity United Methodist Church (Orangeburg, SC); Rev. Carol Rexroad Cannon, St. Andrew's United Methodist Church (Orangeburg, S.C.); Rev. Melissa Green, Greater St. John AME Church (Rowesville, S.C.); Pastor JP Sibley, New City Fellowship Church (Orangeburg, S.C.); Rev. Larry McCutcheon, Claflin University; and Bishop Donald Oliver, Edisto Drive Church of God (Orangeburg, S.C.).

To sponsor, please visit https://alumni.claflin.edu/UNCFPrayer.

For more information, please call (803) 535-5375 or email [email protected].

Faculty News

With our deepest sympathy, Claflin University regrets to announce the passing of Rev. Dr. Echol Nix Jr., associate professor of philosophy and religion and activity director for the Visionary Leadership Institute. According to a news report, Nix suffered fatal injuries in a car accident that occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, three miles south of Greer, S.C.

Nix received numerous accolades from faculty, students, and staff during his tenure at Claflin. He was recognized for providing academic and spiritual guidance to Claflin's talented and gifted scholars while providing leadership and support for several University initiatives. Nix worked tirelessly to help Claflin secure a grant from Leadership Education, a non-degree-granting initiative of Duke Divinity School, the spiritual center of Duke University. Funds from the grant will help strengthen and build capacity for Claflin's Granville Hicks Leadership Academy for Clergy and Laity and improve the church history archives in the University's library.

The funeral service for Rev. Dr. Nix will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. EST. Click here to watch.