Claflin University Receives Prestigious 2025 UNCF Institutional Excellence Award at National UNITE Summit

Claflin University has been awarded the 2025 UNCF Institutional Excellence Award during the national UNITE Summit in Atlanta. The recognition by the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building celebrates Claflin’s bold leadership, strategic innovation, and unwavering commitment to student success, long-term sustainability, and community transformation.

The award was presented on Tuesday, July 22, at the Signia by Hilton Hotel’s Triumph Ballroom before an audience of higher education leaders, partners, and changemakers representing more than 75 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) from across the nation.

“This award celebrates an institution whose steady commitment to quality, performance, and impact is raising the bar for the entire HBCU sector,” said Edward Smith-Lewis, Senior Vice President of the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building. “Claflin University’s achievements and collaborative spirit reflect the very best of what this network can accomplish.”

Claflin President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, who accepted the award on behalf of the university, expressed deep gratitude for the recognition.

“Claflin University is honored to receive the 2025 UNCF Institutional Excellence Award,” said Dr. Warmack. “This recognition affirms the transformative work that has taken place at Claflin over the past six years—from academic innovation and record-setting fundraising to national leadership and unprecedented community partnerships. We are proud to be a model of excellence, not only for HBCUs, but for all higher education.”

Since Dr. Warmack’s appointment in 2019, Claflin has raised more than $110 million in new external funding, including historic gifts from MacKenzie Scott, Google, Zoom, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, and multiple federal agencies. The University has increased its endowment by 248 percent and nearly doubled its net assets. Claflin’s momentum is further evidenced by its consistent top-tier placement in U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings and its #1 ranking for alumni giving among all HBCUs nationwide for a quarter century and counting.

Under Dr. Warmack’s leadership, Claflin has launched numerous new academic programs—including a Master of Science in Biotechnology to address climate change—and has expanded international partnerships with institutions in Italy, the United Kingdom, and across the United States. The University has conferred over 2,000 degrees in the past five years and received reaffirmation of its accreditation through 2032.

Claflin has also made record-breaking investments in its campus infrastructure and technology, including the 2024 opening of an 80,000-square-foot Student Center, one of the largest of its kind in the region. The University’s robust cybersecurity and 5G/LTE wireless initiatives have further positioned it as a 21st-century learning and innovation hub.

UNCF praised Claflin for “exemplifying bold leadership, strategic innovation, and a deep commitment to student success and long-term sustainability,” describing the University’s progress as a model of “what is possible across the HBCU sector”.

Claflin’s reach extends far beyond its campus. Through initiatives such as the Titan Teaching and Nursing Institute, the Pathways from Prison Program, and the University Center for Economic Development, Claflin is helping to expand access to education and opportunity for communities across South Carolina. Its leadership in rural health workforce training and its top-rated Office of Career Development underscore Claflin’s dedication to preparing students for lives of meaning, service, and global impact.

“This award belongs to our students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and community partners,” said Dr. Warmack. “It is the result of a shared vision of elevation and transformation – our commitment to excellence and our steadfast belief in the power of education to change lives.

“I also want to use this moment to thank Dr. Michael Lomax and Lodriguez Murray, not only for their personal leadership, which I value greatly, but also for their masterful advocacy for HBCUs, which continues to open doors and expand opportunities for all HBCUs. We are honored to have our work recognized by UNCF and are inspired to keep climbing,” Warmack said.

The UNITE Summit is UNCF’s premier gathering for institutional leaders, faculty, philanthropic partners, and national policymakers committed to strengthening HBCU capacity and ensuring educational equity.


Photo - Standing (From Left): 

• Mr. Ed Smith-Lewis, Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Institutional Programs, UNCF
• Mr. Willie Jude, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Claflin University 
• Mr. Muhammad Hossain, Director of Instructional Technology, Claflin University 
• Dr. Denver Malcom Key,  Assistant Vice President for Student Development, Claflin University 
• Mr. Abu Khan, Executive Director of Institutional Research, Claflin University 
• Dr. Arthur Doctor, Dean of Students, Claflin University   
• Mr. Timothy Johnson, Director of the Student Center, Claflin University 
• Rev. Dr. Darryl Ann Lai Fang, Assistant Vice President for Transformation Support, UNCF   

Seated (From Left): 

• Mr. Reynolda Brown, Vice President for Enrollment Management, Claflin University 
• Ms. Chicquetta President Reed, Director of 1st and 2nd Year Experience, Claflin University   
• Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, President, Claflin University
• Dr. Michelle L. Mayo, Provost, Claflin University 
• Dr. Teresa Hardee, Interim President, Bennett College 
• Dr. Catherine Binuya, Senior Program Manager, Transformation Support, UNCF