Claflin’s annual Baccalaureate Service will be a virtual presentation on Friday, May 6, 2022, at 7 p.m. The service will be available on the University’s
Facebook and
Youtube pages. Rev. Dr. Robin Dease, a 1992 graduate, will be the guest speaker. Dease also serves on the Claflin University Board of Trustees and is also the lead pastor for St. Andrew By The Sea United Methodist Church in Hilton Head and Bluffton, S.C.
Rev. Dr. Dease felt the call to ministry while a student at Claflin University majoring in elementary education. She earned a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Stewardship from Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C. In 1992, Dease joined the South Carolina Conference and was ordained an elder in 2001. She first served as pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, Johns Island (1998-2008), followed by John Wesley UMC, Greenville (2008-2012). In 2012, she became interim chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Claflin University. Dease has held a number of district and conference positions in The United Methodist Church; Chair of the Committee on District Superintendency-Charleston District, Conference Board on Ordained Ministry, District Board on Ordained Ministry-Greenville District (2008-2012), Conference Connectional Table Task Force (2012-2012), Chair of Continuing Education Covenant Groups (2008-2012) and District Study Task Force (2011-present).