Homecoming 2018: Twiggs says Claflin has much to celebrate

Dr. Leo Twiggs speaks at the Nov. 18 Founders' Day ceremony. (Panther photo by Olanma Hazel Mang)

Claflin University’s artist-in-residence lauded the university for 150 years of accomplishments at its Founders’ Day convocation ceremony at Tullis Arena on Sunday.

Through a brief narration of the university’s history, acclaimed artist Dr. Leo F. Twiggs spoke about Claflin’s successes in art, music, architecture and leadership.

“Tingley Hall is the most distinguished building in Orangeburg,” Twiggs said when he talked about the work of the architect and Claflin alumnus William Cooke. Cooke designed the hall.

Twiggs also commended the president and first lady of Claflin, Dr. Henry N. Tisdale and Alice Carson Tisdale, for their work at the university for the past 25 years.

Twiggs said Henry Tisdale started working quickly to improve the university when his tenure began 25 years ago.

“Within the first month, he created the Center for Excellence in Science and Math,” Twiggs said. “Mrs. Tisdale revitalized the Honors College.”

Earlier this year in April, Henry Tisdale announced that he will be retiring on June 30, 2019. Alice Tisdale will be retiring with her husband.

Twiggs said the couple deserved the retirement because, “they poured their heart and soul into Claflin.”

“We weren’t just getting Dr. Tisdale, we were getting a dynamic duo,” Twiggs said, “a dynamic duo called Alice and Henry.”

After his address, Twiggs dedicated a painting of William Cooke to the university to be hung in Tingley Memorial Hall. Cooke earned a bachelor’s degree in art from Claflin University in 1956.

The theme of the sesquicentennial is “150 years: Celebrating Academic Excellence and Visionary Leadership,” Henry Tisdale said in his welcome speech.

He said the university will continue to strive to maintain its successes in financial discipline and academic achievements by faculty and students.

“Claflin has much to celebrate on this day and the days, weeks and months that will follow,” he said. “We owe it to this great institution to ensure that her legacy lives and spreads throughout the nation and the world.”

MORE FOUNDERS' DAY PHOTOS

SGA President Kayla Hodges speaks at Founders' Day. (Panther photos by Daniel Mang)