Spartanburg, SC Councilwoman, Linda Dogan, using the opportunity as guest speaker at the 4^th Annual Greenville HBCU Basketball Classic Community Luncheon, acknowledged her alma mater, Claflin University, for her successful career as an Upstate representative and her position in the vanguard of human rights.

“Claflin allowed me to become what I am today,” Ms Dogan told the audience of local politicians, ministers, senior representatives from school and colleges and other assembled guests. “I can’t say enough about Claflin University,”

Ms Dugan’s accolades were preceded by praises from others on the podium, who also recognized the university’s past and present achievements. The Vice Chair of Greenville County School Board, Dr. Grady Butler, praised Claflin President, Henry N. Tisdale, for his leadership. Greenville Technical College’s Vice President for Administration and Diversity, Curtis Harkness, representing the college’s president, Dr. Thomas Barton, told the audience that Dr. Tisdale was admired in the Upstate for taking Claflin University beyond the boundaries of its campus in Orangeburg. Mr. Brandon Brown, the founder of the Classic, told the audience, “Claflin is dear to my heart.”

Claflin President, Henry N. Tisdale, invited to offer remarks, captivated the audience when he provided a list of current achievements and accolades for the university; the most recent of which was Claflin University’s inclusion into the top 100 producers of biology graduates nationwide, ranked at 36^th.

“We want to move Claflin to a new level.” Dr. Tisdale said, speaking of his new vision for the university. “While people know of Claflin as a select institution in the Midlands, the new Claflin is recognized as one of the premier liberal arts institutions in the country.” And he added, “We have a faculty second to none, coming from prestigious universities across the country.”

Dr. Tisdale’s remarks were followed by loud applause, nods of approvals and comments that Claflin had reached new heights, with others voicing their intentions to visit the campus.

Even though the luncheon, whose sponsors included Arby’s, Allstate and several successful local businesses, including Cesar’s Restaurant, was to encourage higher education in general, the recent nationally recognized achievements of Claflin was repeatedly brought to the attention of the assembled guests.

The four day visit to the Greenville/Spartanburg area by a delegation led by Dr. Tisdale and including staff from the Office of Admissions, the Department of Athletics and the Department of Institutional Advancement has focused on recruiting more students, establishing stronger ties with Upstate alumni and meeting with members and leaders in education and the corporate sector.  The schedule of events is posted on the homepage of the Claflin University website.