Claflin University President Dr. Henry N. Tisdale presents Mr. Marvin Wright, nephew of Leadership Giving Honoree Mr. Vergil G. Wright, with an award. Mr. Vergil Wright donated $100,000 to Claflin to establish the Rev. Alonzo Webster Wright Annual Lyceum Program at Claflin in honor of his father, a Claflin graduate. Rev. Whittaker V. Middleton, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, stands in the rear.

Anchored by a generous $100,000 donation from Vergil G. Wright, Leadership Giving gifts to Claflin University totaled $811,206.19 this year. The amount represents 142 gifts and all individual participants who made cash gifts of $1,000 and above were recognized at the annual Leadership Giving Luncheon held during Homecoming Weekend.

Mr. Wright, who spent more than 35 years working in the field of education and served as a member of the faculty at Claflin from 1957-1961, was recognized as Claflin University’s 2007 Leadership Giving Honoree during the luncheon. An educator, author, minister, philanthropist and humanitarian, Mr. Wright was honored with the award for his ongoing efforts to improve the quality of lives and broaden the minds of young people.

Mr. Virgil G. Wright	Rev. Alonzo Webster Wright

Mr. Wright’s gift established the Reverend Alonzo Webster Wright Annual Lyceum Program at Claflin in honor of his father, a Claflin graduate. This Lyceum Program will help to nurture the personal and academic growth of students by expanding their intellectual and personal development in social, civic, and academic realms.

“The Leadership Giving Program at Claflin University was established in 1996 to thank those individuals who have made leadership gifts to the University and to encourage a greater number of individuals to consider making leadership gifts to the University,” said Rev. Whittaker V. Middleton, Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “The luncheon is the University’s way of expressing gratitude to those individuals who, by virtue of their belief in the mission of the University, give generously to the institution each year. It also gives donors an opportunity to fellowship with other individuals who also support the institution’s ideals and principles.”

Awards and recognition were given to Kennedy Fellows ($50,000 and above), Middleton Fellows ($25,000 to $49,999), Manning Fellows ($10,000 to $24,999), Walker Fellows ($5-000 to $9,999), 1869 Society ($1,869 to $4,999) and Claflin Associates ($1,000 to $1,868.99). The list of honorees reflects contributions received during the period of October 16, 2006 to October 15, 2007.

Phone-A-Thon Raises More Than $50,000   Claflin called and her alumni answered.   The annual Phone-A-Thon held to solicit donations for the Claflin University Annual Fund raised $55,000 in pledges this year. Student volunteers spent a weekend in September calling alumni and asking for gifts. The first call was made to alumnus Richard Blake, Mayor Pro Tem of Rockledge Fla., who set the pace with a $1,000 pledge. Many followed suit, with more than 1000 people pledging gifts to the University.   “The Phone-A-Thon is one of the major fund raisers for the Annual Fund,” said Marcus Burgess, Director of the Annual Fund and Alumni Relations at Claflin. “It was very successful this year and it not only gives our students an opportunity to volunteer but to make personal contact with out alumni.”   Donations for the 2007 Annual Fund Campaign will be accepted through Dec. 31. For more information, contact Mr. Burgess at 803-535-5348.