Founders' Day: Claflin president touts results of HBCU study

Claflin University capped of a week of homecoming festivities with the 148^th Founders’ Day Convocation on Nov 19.

The purpose of the convocation was to reflect on the history of Claflin, honor those who have contributed to the university, and bring an official closing to homecoming week. The convocation marked the official opening of then-Claflin College in 1869.

“148 years ago, the doors of Claflin University opened to all men and women without consideration of such qualifiers as race, gender, ethnic origin, creed, religious philosophy and the like,” Claflin President Dr. Henry Tisdale said.

Tisdale said Claflin is on an upward trajectory.

“The aim is preserving the legacy, sustaining a commitment to academic excellence and achieving the vision of Claflin being recognized as a leading 21^st century institution of higher education,” he said.

Tisdale also noted that Claflin was a part of a study conducted by the UNCF measuring the university’s economic impact on Orangeburg. The study was done by a research institute at the University of Georgia.

“The study says the annual economic impact of Claflin University to this community is almost $80 million,” Tisdale said. “In the area of jobs, the study revealed that Claflin University generates 835 jobs per year for our community.

The speaker for the convocation was Michael B. Moore, president and CEO for the International African-American Museum in Charleston. Moore offered some words of wisdom to Claflin students.

“If you are here, if you are alive today, that means you are a descendant of the strongest of the strong,” Moore said in regard to enslaved ancestors.

“Your ancestors, whether you realize it or not, gave you a tremendously powerful gift. It’s your birthright, it is the strength that is inside you,” Moore said.