MATRICULATION DAY: Panthers urged to be like a panther

Bishop Simeon Moultrie, founder and pastor of The Brook in Columbia, speaks Sept. 10 at Claflin's Matriculation Day. (Photo via Claflin Facebook)

“Panthers don’t make noise, they make moves,” the 2024 Matriculation Day speaker told students.

Bishop Simeon Moultrie, founder and pastor of The Brook in Columbia, defined what it means to be a panther and encouraged students to apply the cat's characteristics to their studies. He spoke Sept. 10 at Claflin University's 156th Matriculation Day at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Wellness Center.

Moultrie defined a panther in four ways: focused, silent, strong and adaptable.

“When a panther moves, he stays focused on his prey and his goals because he realizes he cannot attain what he is trying to reach for if he loses focus," Moultrie said. Panthers do not lose sight of their main objective, survival.

Like panthers, students must maintain a high level of focus amid distractions, Moultrie said.

Students must make wise decisions on time management and understand what they are supposed to do while attending Claflin, Moultrie said.

He said panthers do not tell others what their next step is.

“Panthers don’t make noise, they make moves,” Moultrie said.

Moultrie encouraged students to be cautious of what they post on social media and continue to advance in college silently.

“People always want to post certain things -- 'look at what I’m doing' -- but Panthers don’t make noise, they make moves,” Moultrie said.

Panthers possess a strength like no other, Moultrie said. "Panthers have the ability to attack and handle animals larger than themselves."

So do Claflin students, he said.

“You are in this room today because there is something in you that says I can attack and defeat something bigger than me," Moultrie said.

He told students they will graduate with “degrees and opportunities.”

“When you understand that you have to stay focused on your goal, nothing can defeat you, nothing can stop you. And you will walk across this stage in four years with degrees and opportunities and you will have scholarships to graduate debt-free,” Moultrie said.

Moultrie’s cited adaptation skills as a last panther characteristic. “Panthers know how to thrive, not (just) live, in diverse environments."

Moultrie recommended that Claflin students adapt to their challenges and confront setbacks with the willingness to adjust. He encouraged them to take the next four years learning how to be themselves despite what they see others doing on social media.

“You have to be able to look at your challenges and say, 'I know how to adapt. I know what to do and when to do it.' You need to learn in the next four years to be yourself. Don’t believe the hype, because 70% of the stuff you see people post are lies,” Moultrie said.

He ended by urging students to stay focused, strong and resilient, telling students they are here because they are Claflin Panthers.

“That’s why you’re here because you are a Panther. You’re not a Bulldog, you’re not a Gamecock, you’re a Panther. And because you’re a Panther, I need you to move like a panther,” Moultrie said.

Other Matriculation Day speakers included: Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, ninth president of Claflin; Dr. Karina Liles, department chair of Mathematics and Computer Science; Joshua Williams, the Student Government Association's 66th president; Genesis Morris and Derrion Campbell, Mr. and Miss Claflin University; and Lauren Smalls, freshman mass communication major.