HENRY N. TISDALE, PH.D., M.A., M.ED., B.S.
PRESIDENT
CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY
ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA 29115

A native of Kingstree, South Carolina and a 1965 graduate of Claflin University, Dr. Tisdale returned to his alma mater as its eighth president in 1994.

A reserved and dedicated servant leader, Dr. Tisdale has been a high energy president who has accomplished the following: committed to a vision of Claflin as one of the premier liberal arts institutions in the Southeast; moved the University to “TOP TIER” and “TOP TEN” ranking among comprehensive baccalaureate granting institutions in the South, according to U.S. News and World Report’s “Guidebook to America’s Best Colleges;” enhanced and increased enrollment approximately 70%; added a number of new academic majors to include mass communications, black studies, early childhood education, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioinformatics, the Master of Science in Biotechnology, the Master of Business Administration and Master of Education in Educational Studies; achieved national accreditation for Business Administration, Teacher Education, Music and Chemistry; transformed the campus with the new Living and learning Center, Legacy Plaza, award winning entrances, the Student Residential Center, the Music Center and expanded the campus through property acquisitions including the Russell Street Campus. Throughout the campus, numerous buildings have been totally renovated or restored. Construction of the new Claflin University Chapel will be completed in December 2006.

From 1987 to 1994, Dr. Tisdale served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at Delaware State University, Dover Delaware.

From 1986 to 1987, he served as Assistant Academic Dean for Administration, planning and Information Management at Delaware State University.

In 1985 he was selected by the American Council on Education (ACE), Center for Leadership Development, Washington, DC. to serve as an ACE Fellow in Academic Administration. Dr. Tisdale served a full academic year in a mentor/internship relationship with Dr. E. A. Trabant, President, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware.

During his tenure of 24 years, he served Delaware State University in several other titles. These include: Assistant Director of Institutional Research and Planning 1978 – 1985; Professor of Mathematics, 1969-1985; and Instructor, Summer Engineering Institute 1978-1985. Prior to these positions, he taught mathematics in the Philadelphia School System, 1965 – 1969.

Dr. Tisdale was graduated Magna Cum Laude from Claflin University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics (1965). He was graduated from Temple University with a Master of Education degree in Mathematics (1967); a Master of Arts degree in Mathematics from Dartmouth College (1975), and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Mathematics from Dartmouth College (1978). He received an Honorary Doctorate degree from South Carolina State University (2004).

He has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors. The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) Distinguished Alumni Award, Who’s Who Among Black Americans, the NAACP Educator of the Year Award and the I. DeQuincey Newman Humanitarian Award, are but a few.

Over the years, Dr. Tisdale served on many Committees, Councils, Boards and Task Forces at both the state and national levels. Additionally, he has published and presented widely in areas of probability theory and issues in higher education.

He is a member of the Board of Directors, Orangeburg-Calhoun Community Foundation; United Negro College Fund; Council of Independent Colleges; National Association of Schools and Colleges of the United Methodist Church; member of the Claflin University National Alumni Association; member of the Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; President of the University Senate of The United Methodist Church; member of the S.C. Land Legacy Initiative, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the Orangeburg Rotary Club, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, and Trinity United Methodist Church.

Henry N. Tisdale and his wife Alice Carson Tisdale are residents of Orangeburg, South Carolina. They have two children, Danica Camille ( Emory University and Miss Georgia 2004) and Brandon Keith (Tennessee State University Graduate and employed by Nashville Convention Center, Nashville, TN.)