Mrs. Elizabeth Rose receives a congratulatory kiss from her son, Arthur Rose Jr., following the 138th Founders’ Day Convocation at Claflin University Sunday. Mrs. Rose was the 2007 recipient of the Bythewood Award, given annually to an individual to recognize extraordinary contributions to the community. Also pictured are, from left, Marcia Rose Hawkins, Loretta Rose, Sara Rose and Bernard Rose. Second row, from left, Matthew Hawkins and Kelaiah Rose.

 

Mrs. Elizabeth Rose receives 2007 Bythewood Award

By Charlene Slaughter 

Claflin University President Dr. Henry N. Tisdale recalled the Founders’ Day Convocation address in 1994, the beginning of his tenure as president, when Bishop Joseph B. Bethea proclaimed that God wasn’t finished with Claflin yet.

Thirteen years later, as Claflin celebrated its 138^th Founders Day, Rev. Caesar Roland Richburg declared, “You ain’t seen nothing yet. God is preparing us for even greater change and deliverance.”

Claflin University’s Founders’ Day Convocation held Sunday, November 18, was the culmination of the University’s week-long Homecoming activities. Rev. Richburg’s address was peppered with words of encouragement as Claflin embarks on A New Era of Transformation. Rev. Richburg urged students, faculty, staff and members of the community present to continue to dream as the founders of the University did in 1869; to decide to act on that dream as nothing happens until a dream is put into action; learn to accept delays for a delay is not a denial and does not destroy God’s plan; and to have faith as God can take the impossible and make remarkable possibilities.

“Rely on what God has said,” Rev. Richburg said. ”Expect God to deliver us. God has brought us from a small circle and taken us beyond the borders of Orangeburg, South Carolina. That’s what God can do. Expect God to do even greater things as the best is yet to come.”

Dr. Tisdale echoed Richburg’s enthusiasm, adding that the state of the university is excellent and never in its history has the University been so competitive – in its academics, student achievement, faculty instruction and aesthetic growth.

“Today we have cause to celebrate,” he said.

The 2007 recipient of the Bythewood Award was Mrs. Elizabeth Rose, a 1950 graduate of Claflin University. Mrs. Rose dedicated 34 years to teaching students, many of whom followed her into the field of physical fitness and health. She was married to the internationally renowned artist, the late Arthur Rose, who also graduated from Claflin in 1950 and for 25 years was Chairman of the Art Department.

The Bythewood Award is given each year in honor of the late Thaddeus Kinloch “T.K.” Bythewood, Sr. in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Claflin and the community. The Bythewood Award is presented on Founders’ Day to an individual selected by the Claflin University Board of Trustees.

“You are in a very special place,” Mrs. Rose told audience members after accepting her award. “I spent many hours at Claflin at I thank this special institution. I encourage you to keep it going – support our institution because we want it to be here for the rest of our lives, our children’s lives and our grandchildren’s lives.”