Claflin University
Posted by Mark Winegar on August 18, 2008
I just returned from a whirlwind trip to Orangeburg, South Carolina. It is an area rich in history and decorated by lush tropical vegetation. Yes, it was warm for a midwesterner but not as warm as the hospitality I found there.
The purpose of my excursion was to meet the faculty of Claflin University and introduce them to the rich world of podcasts. We hit a few speed bumps along the technological freeway but overcame all obstacles. The bottom line is we met our objectives and I believe we all had a good time.
The most exciting part of the trip though was meeting Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, President of Claflin University. He is a dynamic leader and man of vision. He greeted me with a warm smile, a firm handshake, and an invitation to become part of the Claflin family.
Dr. Tisdale’s vision is to move this outstanding historically black university to premiere status on a global scale. Claflin ranks among the best schools in the south. Its retention rate is inspiring. It completes with the best research universities for research grants. But the truly amazing thing is how good alumnae feel about the school. According to a Carnegie study student 99.8% give it highest marks.
The Claflin Mission
“Founded in 1869, Claflin University is an independent, liberal arts, co-educational, historically black institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It is dedicated to educational excellence and to preparing students without regard to gender, race, religion or ethnic origin. It is committed to offering quality undergraduate programs, select graduate programs, and viable continuing education opportunities.
At the undergraduate level, the University ensures that students receive a liberal arts education that is designed to develop men and women of vision who demonstrate extraordinary achievement, distinctive confidence and a lifelong desire to transform society thought selfless leadership. Students are offered a rich academic experience, a thorough grounding in their chosen discipline, significant research and internships programs and valuable community service activities. Undergraduates are encouraged to understand and appreciate religious and cultural values in a universal context. Claflin honor’s the University’s heritage by providing life changing educational and personal opportunities for all her students.
At the graduate level, students are provided instruction to enhance the analytical and comprehensive research acumen necessary for professional growth and leadership. Continuing education programs create avenues for students to complete their educational objectives and develop skills necessary to advance their careers, their defined goals and to achieve personal fulfillment.
Under girding the mission of Claflin University is commitment to excellence in academics, teaching, research and creative expression.”
Part of the Claflin vision is the inclusion of educational technology in its androgological arsenal. That is way I was invited to speak. My first task in preparing for my talk was to read their strategic plan for information technology. I can honestly say I’ve never seen a better one. The more I read it the more excited I became about my upcoming visit.
My day on Claflin’s campus was impressive. Faculty enthusiastically responded to speakers. They attentively listened and asked excellent questions. They were happy to be back from their summer vacations and showed it. There were graduate students working on their research in the labs and the food service staff prepared a world class meal for the community. Everywhere I went there were people happy and their work and proud of their institution. It’s been a long time since I saw faculty this excited about coming back to work.
I left Orangeburg saturday morning knowing one way or another I will be a part of this family.
