Claflin University Prepares for Matriculation Day Convocation; Tisdale Gives State of the University Address as a Highlight

ORANGEBURG, SC --- Kamaria Rivers is a freshman at Claflin University and she will be in the audience when the record-setting Class of 2020 attends the 148th Matriculation Day Convocation  at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 8 in Tullis Arena at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center with the theme “Claflin LEADS: A Shared Vision for the 21st Century.”
 
All students, faculty and staff participate and the general public is also invited to attend. The University has also invited a delegation of international colleagues from Calcutta University, Calcutta India to attend and participate in the Convocation. Dr. Ishita Mukhopadhyay, a professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Calcutta, will bring remarks on behalf of the delegation.

“I am making an adjustment to college life and looking forward to attending this great event at the University,” said Rivers, a biology major from Charleston, S. C.

The Matriculation Day Convocation is one of Claflin’s treasured traditions and marks the official beginning of the new academic year. It is highlighted by the State of the University Address by President Henry N. Tisdale, the installation of Student Government Association officers and performances by the University’s musical groups, including the Concert Choir, DREAM (Gospel Choir) and Wind Ensemble.
Claflin will enroll over 550 new traditional undergraduates for the academic year, the largest entering group in University history.  Claflin’s total enrollment for the academic year is expected to reach an all-time high of 2,000 students.   The profile of the Class of 2020 is dynamic, selected from one of the largest applicant pools. The class also features students from 44 of the 46 counties in South Carolina and from every region of the United States as well as from a number of other countries throughout the world. Thirty percent of the Class of 2020 are pursuing degrees in the STEM disciplines, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  The top majors are biology, business, psychology, computer engineering and sport management.

One of the new developments at the University that President Tisdale most likely will allude to in his address is the launching of the RN (Registered Nurse) to BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program. It is the first of its kind in the state among historically black colleges and universities.

The President is also likely to acknowledge student achievements to include Kingsley Uche White House Initiative All Star, the 2016 SIAC Baseball Tournament champion, and Brandon Valentine-Parris, the 2016 Rio Olympian.

The expectation for the new academic year is to continue the progress toward achieving the vision that Claflin will be recognized as a leading 21st Century institution of higher education that develops a diverse and inclusive community of globally engaged visionary leaders.