Renowned professor, author, and lecturer Dr. Michael Eric Dyson’s message of empowerment through education, civic engagement, and resilience resonated with more than 230 graduates during Claflin University’s Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony. He encouraged the graduates to look to their most important asset as they begin their journey, Claflin alumni. His remarks were infused with Hip Hop lyrics, most notably from rapper TI’s “Let ‘Em Know.”
“Let them know about your brain,” Dyson said. “We live in a time where people are questioning the intellectual capacity of Black people. To pick on Blacks as if we are dumb and stupid defies logic.”
Dyson is a renowned professor, author, lecturer, and prominent media personality. Claflin held its Spring 2026 Commencement Convocation on Saturday, May 9, at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Complex. Dyson has taught at some of the nation’s most distinguished universities, including Brown, UNC Chapel Hill, Columbia, DePaul, the University of Pennsylvania, and Georgetown University. He is presently Distinguished University Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies, College of Arts & Sciences, and Distinguished University Professor of Ethics and Society, The Divinity School, and NEH Centennial Chair at Vanderbilt University.
“And so, let them know about your brain. That's why you came to Claflin -- to get sharper, more insightful, and to understand what the history and tradition of America is about,” Dyson said.
“We understand that America is a great nation. But America has struggled. We talked about what happened with COVID, but it was also about George Floyd. People are attacking DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). The point is that the attack on DEI is a false attack. It’s a red flag,” Dyson said. “They've been attacking Black intelligence since we've been here -- but we knew what to do, even in slavery.”
Dyson has authored over 25 books, including seven New York Times bestsellers. His esteemed literary output earned him the 2020 Langston Hughes Medal, which has previously been awarded to James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, and August Wilson. Dyson has also won an American Book Award, a Southern Book Award, and two NAACP Image Awards.
“High intelligence is to be pursued. Some of us are demonizing others of us, thinking that to be a certain kind of smart is to act white. Black folk have always struggled to be as smart as we can be, Dyson said. and we ain't got to apologize to nobody,” Dyson said. “Brain power got us where we are as a people. Yes. George Washington Carver. Talk about brain power. Speak about Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Septima Clark, Angela Davis, and James Baldwin. They used their brains -- you got to be unafraid to use your brain, too.”
Dyson is an ordained minister and a native of Detroit, Michigan. He graduated magna cum laude from Carson-Newman College with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He earned a Ph.D. in religion from Princeton University.
“Don't just use your brain for rap lyrics. Wrap your mind around the lyrics you need to spit when you make your way to the voting booth to change the world in which we live. Let them know about your heart,” Dyson said. “Get out there and vote. That's right. They're trying to suppress your vote; don't you self-suppress your vote. Let 'em know about your imagination, and they will not reduce us from where we are now. You may try to send us back, but we are going forward. We are going to join hands with white, black, brown, Asian people, and every country in this world.”
The Spring Class of 2026 showcased its academic excellence, with eight scholars achieving a 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA), and The Class collectively registered an impressive 3.57 cumulative GPA. The eight 4.0 GPA graduates were:
Ja’Leah Guenther/Philadelphia, Pa./ Psychology
Tiara Harewood/Spring, Texas/Mass Communications (Valedictorian)
LaNaya Jackson/Newberry, S.C./Accounting
Evan Jenkins/St. Matthews, S.C./Mass Communications
Subash Neupane/Nepal/Computer Science
Grace Oliver/Stone Mountain, Ga./Psychology
Devon Whitehead/Goose Creek, S.C./Sport Management
Melody Woodruff/Boiling Springs, S.C./Political Science
Harewood was selected as the class valedictorian and delivered the Challenge to the Graduating Seniors.
“When I think about the success of this class and all you have done -- Class of 2026 -- you are amazing,” said Warmack, Claflin’s ninth president.
Warmack also recognized Mason McFadden (Digital Design/Effingham, SC), Siri Nicole Davis (Master of Business Administration/ Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Minor in Psychology/ Orangeburg, SC), Evan Jenkins (Mass Communications/St. Matthews, SC); and Joshua Williams (Marketing/Florence, SC), who persevered and overcame health and personal challenges before their phenomenal accomplishments at Claflin.
“Mason became a campus celebrity, not because he sought the spotlight, but because of his unmatched ability to bring people together,” Warmack said. “He was diagnosed with
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at three years old and remained nonverbal until five years old. Whether it was at a campus meltdown, a celebration, or a random moment in the student center, this scholar danced to the beat of his own drum.”
Davis experienced an unexpected loss in her family. However, she remained steadfast in her faith. She completed multiple internships and earned a master’s and a bachelor’s degree – all in four years. She was also a member of Claflin’s women’s volleyball team.
Jenkins is the youngest graduate at 19. He has a 4.0 GPA and earned his degree in two years. He will continue his education in the journalism/mass communications program at the University of South Carolina.
Williams survived a stroke before his Claflin journey and later became president of the Student Government. Association, Mister Claflin, and Mister CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association).
“These outstanding scholars are the epitome of Claflin Magic,” said Warmack.
Claflin also honored 37 graduates from the Golden Class of 1976 and conferred bachelor’s degrees posthumously to Savion Brown and Kamara Chima. Both students – who were members of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College -- passed away in 2025. Brown was a computer science major from Charlotte, N.C. Chima was a computer science major from Gaithersburg, Md. A special tribute was given to Ms. Shirley Hugee ’70, who passed away recently. Hugee was a longtime Claflin administrator and a member of Claflin’s Commencement Convocation Planning Committee.
