Dr. Steve Perry to Deliver Founders’ Day Convocation Address; Appearance Concludes Claflin University’s Homecoming Week 2013

Claflin University’s 2013 Founders’ Day Convocation address will be delivered by renowned educator, speaker and author Dr. Steve Perry.

Perry, who is featured on CNN’s “Black in America” series and is an education contributor for CNN and MSNBC, will speak at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, in Tullis Arena in Claflin’s Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center.

Perry is the founder and principal of Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, Connecticut. The school – lauded as one of the nation’s best by U.S. News and World Report – has sent 100 percent of its predominantly low-income, minority, first-generation high school graduates to four-year colleges every year since its first class graduated in 2006.

Perry, who was born into a third generation of poverty on his mother’s 16^th birthday, believes that the success of a life is determined by where you end, not where you start, and it is that philosophy that inspired him to transform the lives of poor minority children by providing them with access to a college education.

The Essence Magazine columnist is also best-selling author and host of the No. 1 docudrama for TVONE, “Save My Son.” Perry is a strong advocate of personal and civic responsibility in all aspects of life, emphasizing the social issues that aim at building up both the individual and the community so that the next generation can be better contributing members of society. His secrets to success and calls to action are revealed in his new book, Push Has Come to Shove: Getting Our Kids the Education They Deserve – Even if it Means Picking a Fight. For more information, visit http://www.drsteveperry.org.

Claflin’s Founders’ Day Convocation officially wraps up the University’s Homecoming festivities, which begin Sunday, Nov. 10, with the crowning of Miss Homecoming Lia Holman at 3 p.m. in Ministers’ Hall. This year’s Homecoming theme is “Celebrating Visionary Leadership.” Other Homecoming activities include:

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10
6 p.m. —“How Sweet the Sound” featuring Joshua Rogers and Claflin University’s Gospel Choir DREAM; Tullis Arena, Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11
11 a.m.-2 p.m. — Dorm Stroll Off; Panther Plaza
7-9 p.m. — Dorm Step Show; Tullis Arena, Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center
9-11:30 p.m. — Bonfire and Car Smash, DJ; Gravel Lot Adjacent to the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
11 a.m.-2 p.m. — Wild N’ Out; Panther Plaza
7 p.m. — Volleyball Game: Claflin University vs. Paine College, DJ; Tullis Arena, Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center
8:30-11 p.m. — Poetry Café with Courtnay the Poet, Band; Ministers’ Hall

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13
11 a.m.-2 p.m. — Fear Factor; Panther Plaza
6 p.m. — SGA/SAB Power Hour; James and Dorothy Z. Elmore Chapel
7-9 p.m. — Comedy Show featuring C. Dawg Oglesby, Lav Luv and Benji Brown; W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center Auditorium
10 p.m.-Midnight — Late Night Breakfast, DJ; Claflin University Dining Center

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14
11 a.m.-2 p.m. — Greek Switch; Panther Plaza
7 p.m. — Claflin University F.A.M.E., DJ; W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center Auditorium
8-10 p.m. — Concert featuring Mack Wilds and Melanie Fiona; W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15
8 a.m. — CUIAA Executive Meeting; Arthur Rose Museum
8 a.m.-Noon — Images of Success Classroom and Campus Visits
10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Alumni Registration; Multipurpose Room, Student Center
11 a.m.-2 p.m. — Two Minutes to Win It Flip Cup; Panther Plaza
12:30 p.m. — Leadership Giving Luncheon (by invitation only); Ministers’ Hall
4-6 p.m. — Dinner on the Yard with DJ
6 p.m. — Presidential Scholarship Gala and Silent Auction featuring Stephanie Mills; Tullis Arena, Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center
8-11 p.m. — Carnival on the Yard
9 p.m. — Young Alumni Social; The Palmetto Room, The Cinema

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16
(All events at Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center unless otherwise stated)
9:30 a.m. — Homecoming Parade with Parade Marshal the Rev. Dr. Caesar Richburg; Russell Street from Edisto Memorial Gardens to Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center
11 a.m.-5 p.m. — Alumni Registration
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Lambda Sigma Graduate Chapter’s 75th Anniversary Celebration, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; Ministers’ Hall
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Omicron Chapter’s 90th Anniversary Celebration, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity; Orange and Maroon Room
12:30 p.m. — The Panther Den
1:30 p.m. — Homecoming Games: Claflin University vs. Barber-Scotia College
8 p.m. — Greek Step Show featuring Steve Brown
9 p.m.-1 a.m. — Orange and Maroon Dance; The Garden Room, The Cinema

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17
8:30 a.m. — Pre-worship Continental Breakfast for alumni (complimentary); 1869 Club
9:30 a.m. — Worship Service; James and Dorothy Z. Elmore Chapel

For more information about Claflin University’s Homecoming – including ticket and artist information, a photo gallery from last year’s festivities and more – visit our website.