Since his arrival on August 1, 2019, as Claflin University’s ninth president, Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack has fostered a culture of “Elevation and Transformation” at South Carolina’s oldest Historically Black College/University (HBCU).
Leadership & Vision
Founded in 1869, Claflin is the first college and university in South Carolina to admit all students regardless of gender, race, ethnic origin, or religion — a proud legacy of diversity and inclusion aligned with its affiliation with The United Methodist Church. Under Warmack’s stewardship, Claflin has experienced record fundraising, innovative virtual learning environments, accelerated faculty and student research, and dramatic expansion of its campus landscape.
In November 2022, Claflin’s Reaffirmation of Accreditation with No Recommendations by SACSCOC explicitly acknowledged the University’s exceptional academic programs and Warmack’s insightful and progressive leadership.
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spring 2020, Warmack built consensus for the University’s agile and effective response, galvanizing the campus community to adopt policies critical to campus safety and the seamless delivery of Claflin’s outstanding academic programs across multiple virtual platforms.
Despite a global pandemic, Warmack wasted little time before addressing essential priorities including increasing the endowment. By promoting Claflin’s proud legacy of academic excellence, student success, and community engagement to industry leaders nationally and abroad, Claflin began its pathway to unprecedented fundraising success — including a $20 million transformational gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott in 2021. The University’s endowment has grown to $77 million from $26.8 million, representing an incredible 187% increase.
“Claflin University Not Only Survives — But Thrives During a Global Pandemic.”
— Dr. Warmack, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, December 2020
Transformative Achievements
Fundraising Excellence
Endowment grown from $26.8M to $77M — a 187% increase — including a $20M gift from MacKenzie Scott and major contributions from Google, Zoom, Gilead Inc., Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, and Dominion Energy.
Campus Transformation
A $44 million, 80,000-sq-ft New Student Center opened March 2024, featuring the only movie theater and largest auditorium in Orangeburg County. A new $17.4M science and technology center breaks ground March 2026.
Academic Distinction
For the 15th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report ranked Claflin among its Best HBCUs in 2025 — No. 1 HBCU in South Carolina, No. 5 among all state colleges, and a Top Performer on Social Mobility.
Community Engagement
The 2021 Downtown Center launch established the Center for Global Education, Center for Social Justice, and the “Pathway from Prison” program — reaffirming Claflin’s leadership in Orangeburg’s economic revitalization.
S O A R S
Strategic Plan 2021–2026: Elevation and Transformation
I.Commitment to Student Engagement and Success
II.Creative Online Global Strategies through Leading-Edge Technology
III.Cutting-Edge Academic Enterprise to promote student competitiveness and success
IV.Consistent Resource Enhancement through Friend-raising and Fundraising
V.Collaborative Strategic Initiatives for Economic and Workforce Development
Honors & Recognition
2026 Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders — HBCU Campaign Fund
2025 NASPA President’s Award — National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
2025 UNCF Institutional Excellence Award — National UNITE Summit
2024 Times and Democrat Person of the Year
2024 All In President Game Changer Award — National College Resources Foundation & Black College Expo, San Diego
Crown Jewel Diamond Award — Supreme Honor in Visionary Leadership & National Impact
Eisenhower Fellowship — International research on incarceration and recidivism reduction
AAC&U Cengage Inclusion Scholarship — Outstanding leadership in advancing liberal education
Board & Civic Service
Warmack serves on the NCAA Division II Presidents’ Council as a Region 2 representative and is a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Board of Directors and the Orangeburg County Development Commission Board of Directors.
Warmack served as president of Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis, Mo., for five years before his appointment at Claflin. He also held administrative leadership positions at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Fla.; Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C.; and Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn. Warmack and his wife LaKisha have one daughter, Morgan.