First row from left: Senior Administrative Assistant Adrenna Glover, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Rev. Whittaker V. Middleton and Administrative Assistant Carol Franklin; second row from left: Assistant Director of Public Relations Lee Tant, Major and Planned Gifts Officer Michelle Manning-Henry, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Database Management Tamika Bowman- Williams and Director of Special Events Fran Boyd.

As Claflin University continues to expand its footprint in the world of higher education, the Division of Institutional Advancement is also increasing in staff and number of donors.

In recent months, six members have been added to the Division in professional and administrative roles, bringing the number of staff to 19.   That is quite a difference from the two people who sought to increase the University’s profile and fundraising capacity in 1982, when the Division was first established on campus. 

Vice President of Institutional Advancement Rev. Whittaker V. Middleton says the increase significantly strengthens the department and lends itself to accomplishing even loftier goals. 

“The addition of these highly skilled staff members is a boon to our already strong Division and allows us to heighten our expectations exponentially,” Rev. Middleton said.  “Despite the economy, our fundraising efforts have continued to be remarkably successful.  That is a tremendous achievement.”

Rev. Middleton pointed out that the University has received close to $500,000 in planned gifts last year.  He expects the percentage of alumni contributing to Claflin to increase well beyond the 36 percent giving who give annually.   In addition, he noted significantly more alumni donated $1,000 or more to the University in 2009 and that more donors are making long-term pledges.

He said the University is steadily moving toward achieving its goal of having 50 percent of its alumni contributing, which would make Claflin the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the nation to do so.

“There have been great strides in the Division of Institutional Advancement since it began,” Rev. Middleton said.  “The correlation between bolstering our staff and increasing our giving from all constituencies cannot be understated.  As history has shown, the sky is the limit for Claflin.”

·         Mrs. Tamika Bowman-Williams

Mrs. Bowman-Williams was named assistant vice president for institutional advancement and database management at Claflin this past September.  She is charged with compiling and maintaining data of alumni, donors, potential donors and friends of the University.

Mrs. Bowman-Williams has worked extensively with software used to enhance fundraising efforts.  Prior to joining Claflin, she was employed by Blackbaud, Inc. in Charleston as an education consultant for the Raiser’s Edge, a fundraising software program.  She also managed the database and prospect reporting system for St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center in Manhattan.

“My expertise and experience in fundraising will enhance the Division’s capability to collectively boost its financial resources,” Mrs. Bowman-Williams said.  “My goal is to increase the effective use of our database in order to maximize the level of donor giving through technology enhancements. “

She received a bachelor’s degree in history at South Carolina State University and her masters in human resources management from Thomas Edison State College. 

·         Ms. Fran Boyd

As director of special events, Ms. Boyd is responsible for planning special events for the University to support and enhance fundraising.

Since coming to Claflin in October, Ms. Boyd has overseen and participated in several major events including the 2009 Leadership Giving luncheon, which recognized major donors, and the 4^th Annual Claflin University Golf Classic which raises money for student scholarships.

 “The possibilities are endless because the morale on campus is so inspiring,” Ms. Boyd said.  “I’m looking forward to working with Claflin alumni as we prepare for our annual conference in Atlanta this year.” 

She brings a wealth of experience to Claflin, having served as the director of special events at South Carolina State University and as an assignment editor at WIS-TV in Columbia.

Ms. Boyd graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in electronic journalism and has a masters in business administration from American Intercontinental University.

·         Mrs. Michelle Manning Henry

As a major gifts and planned giving officer, Mrs. Henry will develop strategies to cultivate and solicit donors who give large or predetermined contributions to the University. 

Mrs. Henry looks forward to advancing the legacy of the University.

“I feel I bring a wide array of experience in the major gifts field,” Mrs. Henry said.

 A 15-year veteran in nonprofit administration, Mrs. Henry was previously the director of development at Michigan State University and the regional development officer for the Midwest at the University of Miami.

 She was educated at Dillard University in New Orleans, where she received a bachelor's degree in chemistry/pre-medicine.  Mrs. Henry obtained her master's degree in family studies/gerontology from Michigan State University. 

·         Mr. Lee Tant

Mr. Tant came on board as the assistant director of public relations in November.  He brings the unique ability to tell the Claflin story in a variety of ways.    Mr. Tant is responsible for expanding the University’s profile through publications and the media, in addition to promoting the activities of the Division.

 “This institution is unmatched in its research faculty, student achievement and visionary leadership.  And I believe the best is yet to come,” Mr. Tant said.

Previously, Mr. Tant worked in the newspaper business as a copy editor and reporter at the Orangeburg Times and Democrat, covering a multitude of topics including higher education and politics.  During his time there, he covered the 2008 and 2009 Masters golf tournaments and interviewed President Barack Obama one-on-one during the 2008 South Carolina Primary.

Mr. Tant is a 2006 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in political science and history. 

·         Mrs. Adrenna Glover

Mrs. Glover is the senior administrative assistant for the Division of Institutional Advancement. She is charged with overseeing the day-to-day functions of the Office of the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and performing clerical duties.

Previously, she worked as an administrative assistant for the Office of Executive Policy and Programs for the South Carolina Governor’s Office.  Mrs. Glover has 25 years of experience in the clerical field with various organizations, such as State Credit Union, The Law Firm of Carl B. Grant, Allstate Insurance and the Times and Democrat.

Mrs. Glover attended Voorhees College in Denmark, S.C., where she majored in secretarial science.

·         Ms. Carol Franklin

Mrs. Carol Franklin has served as the administrative assistant for the Office of the Vice President of Institutional Advancement since September.  She performs a myriad of task within in the Division, including managing the schedule of the Vice President and the Division.

Previously, Ms. Franklin worked as an administrative assistant at the Columbia law firm Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough for 10 years.  She was also a legal secretary at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, and Flom in New York, New York, for 17 years.

She has an associate in applied science degree from LaGuardia Community College in New York.

Commenting on the Division of Institutional Advancement’s staff increase and additional strategic goals, Claflin President Dr. Henry N. Tisdale said the expansion of the Division is a reflection of the University’s success and supports the recently adopted Long Range Plan.

“The Division of Institutional Advancement is a critical thread in the fabric of Claflin University,” Dr. Tisdale said.   “It is vitally important to ensure the Division is as strong as possible.  The addition of these highly-skilled individuals will boost the University’s fundraising reach locally, nationally and internationally.”