University Crowns Mr. Claflin 2013-2014 Darius A. Stanton II

The theme for the event was “Returning to Ethiopia,” with entertainment by African drummers, members of the Claflin University Concert Choir, Pulse Dance Company and others. As a special treat, Mellichamp Elementary School fifth-grader Joshua Matthew Richberg, who won Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5’s first Oratory Competition, delivered his award-winning speech at the ceremony.

Stanton, son of Darius A. Stanton Sr. and Erica Stanton, is a senior environmental science major and political science minor from Bowie, Maryland. He is a United Negro College Fund Mellon/Mays Fellowship recipient; Green For All college ambassador; People to People student ambassador; president of the Delta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.; a student member of Claflin University’s Sustainability Committee, Food and Nutrition Board and Academic Affairs Committee; Friends of the Earth public relations officer, and has served as Mr. Freshman and as a Sophomore Class senator. Stanton has also been a student researcher and worked in Claflin’s Call Center since his freshman year at the University.

Stanton is a member of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College, has been named to the dean’s list on numerous occasions and was a recipient of the Presidential Academic Award with honors. He plans to pursue a doctoral degree in environmental science and policy, and practice environmental law en route to becoming an international environmental activist.