Claflin University President Accepts 2007 Milliken Medal of Quality
Claflin University President Accepts 2007 Milliken Medal of Quality
Vivian Glover - October 25, 2007
Dr. Henry N. Tisdale Acknowledges "Team Claflin" During Acceptance of 2007 Milliken Medal of Quality
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Milliken Vice President for Quality & 6 Sigma Craig Young (l) and Jeffrey Lucas, Deputy Director Baldridge National Quality Program (r), stand with Dr. Tisdale after he received the Milliken Medal of Quality.

 

The audience at the South Carolina Governor’s Quality Award Conference in Columbia, SC yesterday gave Claflin University President, Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, a standing ovation as he accepted the 2007 Milliken Medal of Quality in recognition of his outstanding leadership and vision.

 

“It is a very distinct honor for me to receive this recognition,” Dr. Tisdale said in his acceptance speech to the conference representing statewide corporations, businesses and medical associations. “In 1994, taking on the challenge of leading my alma mater very few people had heard of Claflin University. Yet, Claflin University had all the ingredients of a hallmark institution – history and tradition as the oldest historically black college or university in South Carolina. It had a strong value system steeped in fairness and vision.”

 

Continuing to laud the University’s legacy, Dr. Tisdale informed the audience that Claflin University was the first integrated and the first coed institution of higher education in the state of South Carolina. He went on to list several of the famous men and women who are Claflin graduates including Mrs. Dorothy Z. Elmore, Earl Middleton and former South Carolina Supreme Court Justice Ernest Finney. The

 

President also acknowledged the support of “a committed faculty and staff” and recognized “the vision of alumni and the University’s Board of Trustees.” Dr. Tisdale then expressed his appreciation for the role of the University’s First Lady, Mrs. Alice Carson Tisdale, who was warmly applauded by the audience when recognized by the President.

 

The dream of Claflin University being recognized as one of the premier institutions is a reality,” Dr. Tisdale said in conclusion. “While I get credit today, it is due to the men and women of Claflin University. I accept this award on behalf of Team Claflin and the great University I have had the privilege to serve.”

Dr. & Mrs. Tisdale accepting congratulations from a well wisher as Ms. Liz Zimmerman Keitt, President of Claflin University's International Alumni Association looks on.

 

 

Dr. Tisdale’s closing remarks were greeted by another round of applause and another standing ovation. At the end of the ceremony Claflin’s President was surrounded by and congratulated by well wishers, many of whom were in competition for the Milliken medal, one of South Carolina’s most prestigious awards.

 

The Milliken Medal of Honor recognizes current and former residents of South Carolina for demonstrated leadership, innovation and outstanding achievement in the implementation of quality systems in their organizations. In selecting Dr. Tisdale it was noted that the University’s president is “an inspiration for others to follow in South Carolina.” The award is given to” individuals who demonstrate leadership and vision to move teams and the organizational culture toward world class standards, that are consumer focused and supported by quality systems that empower and equip teams and individuals.” Dr. Tisdale is the first university president to receive the award.

 

Milliken and Company is a privately held textile and chemical company with more than 50 plant locations in the United States and extending to 10 countries worldwide. The first medal went to its namesake, Roger Milliken. 

 

Under Dr. Tisdale’s leadership the University has increasingly been recognized for the quality of its academic programs and for faculty and students’ achievements. Claflin was recently ranked #7 among HBCUs by the first ever listing of U.S.News and World Report’s America’s Best Black Colleges. Claflin was also included in U.S.News & World Report’s 2008 edition of America’s Best Colleges, ranked #10 in the Top Tier among Baccalaureate Colleges in the South and also ranked #3 for Highest Graduation Rate in the South.

 

The University was also singled out for other prestigious rankings recently. Consumers Digest ranked Claflin #3 nationally for “Best Value among Top Private Colleges and Universities.” The Chronicle of Higher Education gave Claflin a #2 ranking in graduation rates for Very Selective HBCUs, corroborated by the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education which also gave the University a #2 ranking.

 

Under Dr. Tisdale’s leadership, the student body of 1800 students is a conglomerate that is a continually evolving and diverse. The typical freshman now has graduated in the top half of his or her class with a GPA of 3.0 or better. The enrolment includes students from 26 states and 15 countries. Last year, the university received 3000 applications for the 400 spaces in class of 2010.

 

The campus has also doubled in size undergoing over $50-million in renovations, classroom and office improvements, including the addition of major new buildings. Its student/faculty ratio is 12:1, with 74% of faculty holding terminal degrees in their fields.

 

 
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