A Message From the President to Claflin Alumni

Dear Alumni,

I hope you all are doing fine in the midst of the effort to remain safe and healthy from the coronavirus pandemic. This letter is to let you know what’s happening at your alma mater regarding the reopening of the campus for the fall semester.

I have appointed a Task Force to consider options for reopening Claflin in the fall. The Task Force will leave no stone unturned in its deliberations to recommend the best course forward for Claflin. This will include class size, course offerings and, most important, the financial impact to the University on whatever the decision will be. We aim to announce the decision later this month.

You may recall that I announced my desire to visit all alumni chapters during my first year as president. Well, COVID-19 derailed those plans but I look forward to complete that commitment when it is appropriate. You also will recall that the pandemic also forced us to postpone our traditional events, including my first Claflin University International Alumni Association Convention, Commencement and Alumni Weekend. In addition, the Presidential Inauguration was also postponed and we look forward to rescheduling at the appropriate time. I hope the coronavirus hasn’t dampened your enthusiasm to support the University going forward.

As you may surmise, the coronavirus has an adverse impact on the University’s budget. But the administration has been diligent in seeking funds from all available sources to help offset the impact. The uncertainty of the future demands that we continue to be more determined to attract financial support. You can play a key role with your continuous gifts to the University. We still aim to attract and best and brightest to Claflin, but there is robust competition to recruit them in the face of the pandemic.

I can assure you that Claflin is preparing to move forward with an uncompromising commitment to academic excellence on an even higher level before covid-19 struck with unexpected consequences. I am highly optimistic and hopeful that Claflin will resume face-to-face instruction at some point in the fall as well as seeing you back on campus during the 2020-2021 academic year.

In the meantime, continue to stay safe and pray that your alma mater will emerge from the pandemic enhancing its reputation as one of the nation’s leading institutions of higher education. Alumni we need your personal and financial support now, more than ever.


With Panther Pride,

Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack
President