Mr. Manuel O. Loera, a digital design student in the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College, works on a project in his digital design class at the University.

One of the nation's premier Hispanic publications has recognized Claflin University as being among the top 50 colleges and universities in the nation. Hispanic Network Magazine - a lauded resource for Hispanics seeking education and employment opportunities – included Claflin on their “2009 Best of the Best” list for colleges and universities.

“It is an honor for Claflin University to yet again receive national recognition from a distinguished publication,” President Henry N. Tisdale said. “This is a testament to the University's mission of embracing diversity and the dedication of our faculty and staff.”

Mr. Manuel O. Loera, a student in the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College, is one of seven Hispanic students currently matriculating at Claflin. He hails from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, which is along the United States-Mexican border near El Paso, Texas, where Mr. Loera attended high school at the Lydia Patterson Institute.

After indicating he was seeking a diverse higher educational experience, Mr. Loera's high school principal suggested Claflin.

“All of my friends were going to local colleges. I wanted to expand my circle of friends and get to know more people, different cultures and different ethnicities,” he said.

Now a junior digital design major who is an aspiring video game designer, Mr. Loera says the University has exceeded his expectations. “I've met a lot of interesting people from Trinidad, Nigeria and from here in the U.S. It has been very worthwhile,” said Mr. Loera.

He claims all of his professors are very dedicated to helping him learn. However, what he appreciates the most about the University is the brotherhood he has established with other students in his dormitory.

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Mr. Andre R. Rodriguez, a junior mass communications major from Orangeburg, S.C., has a diverse family history. His father's family came from Puerto Rico while his mother was born in the U.S. However, her parents were natives of Trinidad and Tobago.

Mr. Rodriguez was attracted to Claflin because of its reputation as a great school. He received a full scholarship to attend the University's Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College. In addition, Mr. Rodriguez serves as Claflin's own version of A-Rod on the school's baseball team. Last season, he had a .300 batting average while playing the outfield.

“This was an opportunity that I could not pass up,” Mr. Rodriguez said of being a Claflin Panther.

On campus, Mr. Rodriguez actively participates in student activities, community service events and academic retreats. His future plans are to establish himself in both the television and music industries.

“I must say that I have learned very much about being intellectual and very professional,” he said. “My professors have been great and very helpful, both in the classroom and an as actual people outside of the classroom.”

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The University has also made quite an impression on Mr. John Iglesias, a student in the Professional and Continuing Studies program who is working toward a degree in organizational management. His daughter, Alyssa, is a Presidential Scholar at Claflin and enrolled in the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College.

“This institution has showed me that I can accomplish my goals if I'm willing to sacrifice and work hard,” he said. “I have been inspired by the Claflin Family.”

“Everywhere I go I speak highly of Claflin,” said Mr. Iglesias.

Claflin students are not the only group uplifting the University. Nationally known publications are lauding the institution as well.

This most recent national accolade comes on the heels of Claflin being rated as the nation's top Historically Black College or University in Forbes.com's inaugural rankings of higher education institutions in 2009 and again in 2010. For the past 12 years, the University has been selected as one of “America's Best Colleges” by U.S. News and World Report. Additionally, U.S. News rated Claflin as the top school in the South for its commitment to teaching among 80 institutions nationally. When compared to 77 other colleges and universities across the nation, U.S. News's “Top Up-and-Coming Schools” category ranked Claflin as second in the South.

Recent data suggests Hispanic students are fast becoming more prevalent on American college campuses.

Claflin is already ahead of the curve in assisting the emerging influx of Hispanic citizens assimilation into American culture. Dr. Nan Li, assistant professor of education, was awarded a $1 million U.S. Department of Education five-year grant to help Hispanics families integrate into their respective communities through reading and writing programs. Currently, the grant is financing research and allowing 10 Claflin student teachers the training necessary to instruct English for Speakers of Other Languages students at four local school districts.

Claflin University is  a place where international students can take pride in showcasing their diverse cultures.

Mr. Devin Randolph, an admissions counselor at the University, says it's vitally important that the Claflin student body is comprised of a diverse array of students. To that end, the University vigorously recruits students from all walks of life – including students from Trinidad and Tobago, Austria, Vietnam and Nigeria.

Mr. Randolph notes the University has made in-roads with the Hispanic community through relationships with local and regional schools.

Currently, Claflin has 45 international students representing 16 countries.

In its “Best of the Best” rankings, Hispanic Network Magazine rated top business and education entities for Hispanic citizens in a variety of categories, including areas like telecommunications and financial institutions. The list was based on surveys that were collected by the magazine throughout the year.

Hispanic Network Magazine is a Latino lifestyle, business and employment periodical that is published quarterly by Olive Tree Publishing, Inc. and reaches over 1 million readers.

Other higher education institutions that were ranked in the magazine's “Best of the Best” list are: Yale University, Cornell University, Fisk University, Duke University and the University of California-Los Angeles.