@Claflin: Happy Mother's Day, ROTC Commissioning Ceremony and more

May 7, 2021

The World Needs Visionaries

Three Claflin University Cadets Receive U.S. Army Commissions from ROTC Program

Three Claflin University graduates were commissioned with the rank of second lieutenant on Thursday, May 6, in a virtual ceremony hosted by the South Carolina State University’s Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Program. Brigadier General Milford Beagle Jr., an alumnus of the ROTC program, was the ceremony’s keynote speaker. Click here to watch the ceremony.

Tyrei M. Boatright, Daniel Elmore Jr., and Marquel D. Sanders, Claflin Class of 2021 graduates, have completed SCSU’s Bulldog Battalion ROTC program and earned active duty commissions in the United States Army.

Claflin University has offered Air Force and Army ROTC programs since 1967 through a cross enrollment agreement with SCSU. The pilot program began with 13 students and the official agreement between the two schools was signed in 1972. The late Charles H. Johnson, a former dean of student affairs at Claflin (1967-1986), was the program’s coordinator.

Meet Claflin's 2021 ROTC graduates:

2LT Tyrei M. Boatwright

Major: Psychology, Minor: Health

Hometown: Bennettsville, SC

2LT Boatright will report to the Military Intelligence Basic Officer Leaders Course in Fort Still, Oklahoma.

"I joined ROTC to help me become a better leader in the military. It was something I loved ever since I joined ROTC in high school," he said.

2LT Daniel Elmore Jr.

Major: Biology, Minor: Chemistry

Hometown: Andrews, SC

Leadership positions/extracurricular activities: NAACP Chief of Staff, Claflin University Tour Guide, and National Society of Leadership and Success.

2LT Elmore will report to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for the Chemical Basic Officer Leaders Course. After completing the training he will be stationed at Fort Still, Oklahoma.

"Being enlisted in the Army out of high school, I was always in the formation taking orders from someone so I joined ROTC to be on the other side of the formation and to be the one at the table making decisions for other soldiers," he said.

2LT Marquel D. Sanders

Major: Marketing (Magna Cum Laude)

Hometown: Cross, SC

Leadership positions/extracurricular activities: Student Government Association President, Freshman and Sophomore Class Senator, NAACP (Mass Communications Director & Public Relations Chair), Omicron Alpha Beta Chapter of Phi Beta Lambda Business Fraternity Inc. (Vice President), Gamma Nu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. (Vice Polemarch), Cultivating Kings, and National Society of Leadership and Success.

2LT Sanders is current awaiting his assignment for the Basic Officer Leadership Course and duty station.

"I joined Junior ROTC in high school and it was a great program to experience. In college, ROTC gave me the opportunity to continue on with that journey by signing a service obligation and earning a degree at the same time," he said.

Employee News

Dr. Gwendolyn J. Conner is the new senior associate director of human resources. She joins the Claflin Family from her most recent position as director of human resources for Prince William County (Virginia).

With more than a decade of experience serving as a human resources director in local government and public school systems, Dr. Conner possesses the leadership, resolve, and flexibility to function effectively as a strategic team player in human resources. She also brings the knowledge, experience and ability in efforts to help maintain and enhance Claflin’s prominence as a premiere institution of higher education and an ideal workplace where staff members proudly serve the community.

She has received recognition and numerous honors and awards at the local, state, and national levels for her contributions to her community and profession. She was named Personnel Administrator of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators. She also published an article (Winter 2014), The Role of Human Resources Administrators in Transforming Public Education in South Carolina.

Dr. Conner earned her Ed.D. in organizational leadership with a minor in conflict resolution and her master’s in HR management with a minor in organizational development from Nova Southeastern University of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. She is also a graduate of Limestone College of Gaffney, S.C., with a bachelor of science degree in business administration and minor in management.

Would you like to purchase Claflin University items for yourself or as gifts? Proceeds from the items above will support scholarships for the next generation of visionary leaders at Claflin University.

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If you are paying by check, please make payable to Claflin University. Please put t-shirt size on the memo line. Mail to:

Claflin University

Attn: Marcus Burgess

400 Magnolia Street

Orangeburg, SC 29115

For more information, please call (803) 535-5348.