@Claflin: Juneteenth Day of Reflection, HBCU Challenge, Dear Students, and more

The World Needs Visionaries

Claflin University to Host "A Day of Reflection" Virtual Memorial in Honor of George Floyd

Claflin University will host "A Day of Reflection," a virtual memorial for the disproportionate number of African Americans killed while in the custody of or being pursued by law enforcement personnel, on Friday, June 19, at 10 a.m. The ceremony will be available on Claflin University's YouTube Channel.

During the program, a video presentation will serve as a special tribute to George Floyd, who was killed recently by a Minneapolis, Minnesota, police officer, and several other victims of racially-motivated hate crimes. Claflin's "A Day of Reflection," coincides with Juneteenth, the nation's oldest holiday that celebrates the end of slavery. On June 19, 1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom after the reading of The Emancipation Proclamation.

Claflin's Center for Social Justice provided the leadership for organizing this year's event. The Center, which officially launched last month, aligns with the University's legacy of providing high-quality academic programs to all students - regardless of ethnic origin, gender, race, or religion - for more than 150 years.

Help Claflin in the Juneteenth HBCU Challenge

As we look toward the 155th Anniversary of Juneteenth - recounting the heroism and tenacity of our ancestors before us - and ahead to the issues we face today - a global pandemic illuminating the persistent health disparities in our communities, political polarization, and valiant calls for justice against systemic oppression, Historically Black Colleges and Universities continue to be a beacon of light and a place of refuge - offering hope and incubating new generations of leaders, creators, and problem-solvers.

Our culturally rich academic institutions together with you - our generous family of supporters - have always been responsive to the needs of the communities we serve.

That's why today, Claflin University is very excited to announce our participation in the #HBCUChallenge - a friendly fundraising competition among Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Together, we stand in unity and in solidarity to support our students, and to ensure the sustainability and relevancy of our beloved schools.

We believe, as you do, in the power of philanthropy, and in the incredible capacity of a collective and intentional response to our most critical and urgent needs.

We are calling on our alumni, friends and corporate partners to consider how they can support and ensure the sustainability and relevancy of our historic cultural institutions of higher learning.

We are asking you to join us in accepting the challenge . You can do this by downloading the givly mobile app in the Apple or Google Play store. Sign up and search for us by name. Then, make a gift and share to social media with the hashtag #HBCUChallenge #Claflinxgivly. Your generous donation will benefit student scholarships.

Our goal for this fundraising challenge is $56,000.

In honor of Juneteenth (June 19), consider a gift today that ends in $0.19:

$25.19
$50.19
$75.19
$100.19
Or more

The fundraising challenge begins Friday, June 19 and ends Tuesday, July 7.

If you are unable to give online, you may mail your check to:

Claflin University

Attn: Institutional Advancement

400 Magnolia Street

Orangeburg, SC 29115

If you would like to speak to one of our Institutional Advancement personnel, please call (803) 535-5357.

In advance, we can't thank you enough for your generous support of our university. Thank you for your investment in the future of our Panther nation.

Claflin Students Develop Video Message to Discuss Social Injustice

Otiana Thompson, a history and African and African-American studies major, and Lauren Tolbert, an African and African-American studies major, recently launched an initiative to empower other college students to participate in discussions to develop solutions for police brutality, systemic racism, and other social justice issues. Thompson and Tolbert are sophomores and members of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College . Thompson and Tolbert are sophomores and members of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College.

Dear College Students, features a chorus of voices encouraging their peers to continue the fight for social justice. Click here to view the video and share on Instagram.

Student Spotlight - Arteria Gibson

Arteria Gibson,

a sophomore mass communications major and member of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College, is one of five college students selected for the Mayor's Fellows Program with the City of Columbia during the 2020 Summer Semester. According to Mayor Steve Benjamin, the program was developed to foster a continuing investment in developing youth leadership. Fellow responsibilities include assisting staff with research in various areas that may affect departments/agencies within the City of Columbia, helping with special projects, and assisting with various office tasks.

Gibson plans to earn a master's degree in supply chain management. She hopes to contribute to the increasing amount of global supply chains by working as a logistics operations manager in corporate America. She believes her experiences in the Mayor's Fellow program will expand her leadership abilities and broader her understanding of how municipal government impacts the state of South Carolina and the nation.

Claflin President Featured in Delta State University Magazine

Delta State University featured President Dwaun J. Warmack in the recent Winter/Spring 2020 edition of its alumni magazine. Dr. Warmack earned a bachelor's degree in education in 1999 and a master's degree in sociology in 2000 from Delta State University.

The story reflects on the influences at Delta State that prepared him for leadership and service in higher education. "I learned so much from alumnus and President Emeritus Dr. Kent Wyatt," stated Dr. Warmack in the article. "One lesson he taught me: create an environment that's welcoming and caring. To achieve this, campuses must develop the whole student - academically, personally, socially, and spiritually. Holistic development provides students with broader perspectives and prepares them for global leadership."

Click here to read the complete story on page 18.

Alumni News

President Emeritus Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, '65, has been appointed by the Dartmouth College Board of Trustees to serve as a member of the Advisory Board of the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies at Dartmouth College.

The mission of the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies Advisory Board is to provide the Dean of the Guarini School with advice and perspective on the strategy, programs, policies, and resources of the School. The Advisors provide careful oversight of the School's budget and serves in an advisory capacity to the Dean, and through the Dean, to the Provost, and President.

A magna cum laude graduate of Claflin University, Dr. Tisdale earned a master's degree in mathematics from Temple University in 1975. Three years later, he received his doctorate, becoming the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics from Dartmouth. Tisdale retired as president of Claflin University in June 2019, ending a remarkable 25-year tenure as a visionary and transformative leader in higher education.

Perrice Ledbetter, '19, and Natrawn Maxwell, '19, were both recognized for their photography during protests on Saturday, May 30, in an article in the Times and Democrat. Ledbetter attended a protest in downtown Columbia, and Maxwell attended a protest in downtown Charleston, both in response to the recent killings of George Floyd and other victims of police brutality. In the article, both alumni said they were there to "express their opinions and capture the moments." To see a gallery of Ledbetter and Maxwell's photos, click here.

Attention all Claflinites, we need your help. Please click here to take a brief survey to help us with plans for our upcoming Homecoming Weekend Celebration. Deadline to complete the survey is Friday, July 10, 2020.