Liz Zimmerman Keitt Elected President of Claflin University International Alumni Association

By Carolyn G. Wigfall

    The International Alumni Association of Claflin University (CUIAA) has elected Ms. Liz Zimmerman Keitt as its president.

    “I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve as your president of the Claflin University International Alumni Association. As we move ahead with our organization, we will keep the alumni abreast of the many projects that are being implemented,” said Ms. Liz Keitt. “The purpose of CUIAA is to coordinate and enhance programs and activities with support for our beloved Alma Mater.”

   A native of Cameron, South Carolina, Ms. Keitt received her Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from Claflin University in 1970 and she earned her M.Ed. degree in education from South Carolina State University in 1974.

   Currently, she is the founder and director of Project Life: Positeen Program. The program was founded in 1992 and is an after school program tutoring and counseling students, ages K-5 – 12^th Grade. Held at 349 Summers Avenue and on the campus of Brookdale Elementary School in Orangeburg, SC, the program is designed to help students with reading, science, math and character building.

   In 1999, Ms. Keitt retired from Claflin University as director of purchasing after 30 years of service.

   For more than 50 years, she has initiated service programs and pioneered the way for women in local government. In 1988, Ms. Keitt became the first African American since reconstruction to be elected to the Orangeburg City Council, where she served for 13 years. She was the first woman ever to serve as Mayor Pro Tem, and served the City of Orangeburg as Mayor for three months.

   In 1992, she became the first woman president of the Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (EIAC). She has received numerous awards including the Governor’s Litter Reduction Award, The Medgar W. Evers NAACP Award, Orangeburg NAACP Award, 2003 & 2007. In 1995, she was inducted into the Claflin University Hall of Fame.

   She is a faithful supporter of Claflin and an active member of Claflin University International Alumni Association where she served as Vice President. Ms. Keitt is a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Beta Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.

   Claflin University, located in Orangeburg, SC, is an independent four-year liberal arts institution accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.  The undergraduate research institution enrolls nearly 1,800 students and offers 33 majors and three graduate programs.

    U.S. News & World Report has ranked Claflin in the top tier as an outstanding comprehensive liberal arts institution in the Southeast region for the past 11 years.  In June 2007, Consumers Digest ranked Claflin number three in the top five best value private colleges and universities in the nation.   Chronicle of Higher Education listed Claflin as having the second highest graduation rate among very selective HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).

   For more information about Claflin University, please visit the university’s website at www.claflin.edu.