# Claflin University > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Claflin_University > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Claflin_University.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claflin_University > Source revision: 1356601218 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Historically black university in Orangeburg, South Carolina, US}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox university | name = Claflin University | native_name = | image = Claflin University Seal.png | image_size = 180 | motto = "The World Needs Visionaries" | mottoeng = | established = {{start date and age|1869}} | closed = | type = [Private](/source/Private_college) [historically black](/source/Historically_black_colleges_and_universities) [liberal arts college](/source/Liberal_arts_colleges_in_the_United_States) | religious_affiliation = [United Methodist Church](/source/United_Methodist_Church)
[UNCF](/source/United_Negro_College_Fund) | endowment = $72.9 million (2024){{cite web |url=https://www.claflin.edu/docs/default-source/about-doc/pres-rep-v_17_9-6-2024-print_.pdf?sfvrsn=92380a0e_8 |title=President's report: Elevation & transformation 2019-2024 |publisher=[Claflin University](/source/Claflin_University) |date=2024 |accessdate=August 6, 2025}} | president = [Dwaun J. Warmack](/source/Dwaun_Warmack) | students = 1,830 | city = [Orangeburg](/source/Orangeburg%2C_South_Carolina) | state = South Carolina | province = | country = United States | coor = | campus = Urban, {{convert|40|acre|ha|0}} | former_names = Claflin College | free_label = | free = | colors = {{Color box|#CD2C23|border=darkgray}}{{Color box|#52131C|border=darkgray}} Orange & Maroon | sports_nickname = Panthers and Lady Panthers | mascot = | athletics_affiliations = [NCAA Division II](/source/NCAA_Division_II), [Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association](/source/Central_Intercollegiate_Athletic_Association) | website = {{URL|https://www.claflin.edu/|claflin.edu}} | logo =Claflin univ simplelogo.svg | logo_size =200 }} '''Claflin University''' is a [private](/source/Private_college) [historically black](/source/Historically_black_colleges_and_universities) [liberal arts college](/source/Liberal_arts_colleges_in_the_United_States) in [Orangeburg, South Carolina](/source/Orangeburg%2C_South_Carolina), United States. Founded in 1869 after the [American Civil War](/source/American_Civil_War) by northern missionaries for the education of freedmen and their children, it offers [bachelor's](/source/Bachelor's_degree) and [master's](/source/Master's_degree) degrees.{{cite web|url=http://www.claflin.edu/future-students/academic-resources/academic-programs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520065133/http://www.claflin.edu/future-students/academic-resources/academic-programs|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-05-20|title=Academic Programs|work=claflin.edu}} == History == It was originally named Claflin College and was founded in 1869 by [Alonzo Webster](/source/Alonzo_Webster), a minister for the Methodist Episcopal Church (today the [United Methodist Church](/source/United_Methodist_Church)).{{Cite news |date=1994-12-02 |title=Claflin's past a 'revealing slice of Southern history' |page=24 |work=[The Times and Democrat](/source/The_Times_and_Democrat) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120133603/claflins-past-a-revealing-slice-of/ |access-date=2023-03-04 |archive-date=2023-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304030724/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120133603/claflins-past-a-revealing-slice-of/ |url-status=live }} Claflin College opened its doors on October 27, 1869.{{Cite web |title=Claflin University |url=https://www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/claflin-university/ |access-date=2023-02-28 |website=South Carolina Encyclopedia |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228054526/https://www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/claflin-university/ |url-status=live }} thumb|left|Main building of Claflin University, 1899 Webster came from [Vermont](/source/Vermont) to [South Carolina](/source/South_Carolina) as a missionary to teach at the [Baker Bible Institute](/source/Baker_Bible_Institute) in [Charleston](/source/Charleston%2C_South_Carolina), a training school for African American ministers.{{Cite web |date=2010-07-06 |title=Claflin University (1869- ) |url=https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/claflin-university-founded-1869/ |access-date=2023-02-28 |language=en-US |website=[BlackPast.org](/source/BlackPast.org) |archive-date=2023-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228054526/https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/claflin-university-founded-1869/ |url-status=live }} The Baker Biblical Institute in Charleston, was an institution established by the South Carolina Mission Conference of 1866 of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the education of African American ministers. In 1870, the Baker Biblical Institute merged with Claflin University. Webster had received a charter from the state of South Carolina to establish a college freed slaves to take their rightful places as full American citizens. Claflin University is the oldest historically black college or university in South Carolina and touts itself as the first college in the state to welcome all students regardless of race or gender. It was the first Black college to offer architectural drawing courses.{{Cite news |title=The son of a former slave became a groundbreaking architect. This crumbling building is about to come down. |language=en-US |newspaper=[Washington Post](/source/Washington_Post) |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/10/18/son-former-slave-became-groundbreaking-architect-this-crumbling-building-is-about-come-down/ |access-date=2023-02-27 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=2022-11-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128035046/https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/10/18/son-former-slave-became-groundbreaking-architect-this-crumbling-building-is-about-come-down/ |url-status=live }} The institution was named after two Methodist churchmen: Massachusetts Governor [William Claflin](/source/William_Claflin) and his father, Boston philanthropist [Lee Claflin](/source/Lee_Claflin), who provided a large part of the funds to purchase the {{cvt|43|acre|adj=on}} campus. Claflin's first president was Alonzo Webster, who had previously spent time as a member of Claflin's board of trustees. Since the administration of Webster, Claflin has been served by eight presidents. An act by the South Carolina General Assembly on March 12, 1872, designated the South Carolina State Agricultural and Mechanical Institute as a part of Claflin University. In 1896 the S.C. General Assembly passed an act of separation which severed the State Agricultural and Mechanical Institute from Claflin University and established a separate institution which eventually became [South Carolina State University](/source/South_Carolina_State_University).{{cite news|last=Neufeld|first=Rob|date=2018-02-25|title=History of Claflin University|work=[Asheville Citizen-Times](/source/Asheville_Citizen-Times)|url=https://thetandd.com/library/history-of-claflin-university/article_b5587942-c895-5ca8-a1a9-bb1ae530c703.html|access-date=2018-02-26|archive-date=2019-11-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106191923/https://thetandd.com/library/history-of-claflin-university/article_b5587942-c895-5ca8-a1a9-bb1ae530c703.html|url-status=live}} In 2020, American novelist and philanthropist [MacKenzie Scott](/source/MacKenzie_Scott) donated $20 million to Claflin University. Her donation is the largest single gift in Claflin's history.[https://www.mdjonline.com/neighbor_newspapers/extra/news/claflin-receives-20-million-donation-largest-in-university-history/article_5392c2bb-bd19-582d-8169-fedbd376f312.html Claflin receives $20 million donation] {{dead link|date=December 2022}} === Presidents === Presidents of Claflin have included: * [Alonzo Webster](/source/Alonzo_Webster) (1869–1872) * Edward Cooke (1872–1884) * [Lewis M. Dunton](/source/Lewis_M._Dunton) (1884–1922) * [Joseph B. Randolph](/source/Joseph_B._Randolph) (1922–1944) * [John J. Seabrook](/source/John_J._Seabrook) (1945–1955) * [Hubert V. Manning](/source/Hubert_V._Manning) (1956–1984) * [Oscar A. Rogers](/source/Oscar_A._Rogers) (1984–1994) * [Henry N. Tisdale](/source/Henry_N._Tisdale) (1994–2019){{Cite book |last=Thomas |first=June M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RBAtEAAAQBAJ |title=Struggling to Learn: An Intimate History of School Desegregation in South Carolina |date=2022-03-10 |publisher=[University of South Carolina Press](/source/University_of_South_Carolina_Press) |isbn=978-1-64336-260-1 |pages=230 |language=en |access-date=2023-02-28 |archive-date=2023-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228054535/https://books.google.com/books?id=RBAtEAAAQBAJ |url-status=live }} * [Dwaun Warmack](/source/Dwaun_Warmack) (2019–present) ==Academics== [[File:Claflin University Tingley Hall from NNW 1.JPG|thumb|Claflin University's Tingley Hall, designed by alumni [William Wilson Cooke](/source/William_Wilson_Cooke)|alt=Claflin University's Tingley Hall, designed by alumni William Wilson Cooke]] Claflin offers degrees through four schools: *School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics *School of Humanities and Social Sciences *School of Business *School of Education == Student life == === Athletics === thumb|Claflin football team of 1899 Claflin University's athletics teams are referred to as the Panthers. The institution is a member of the [Division II](/source/NCAA_Division_II) level of the [National Collegiate Athletic Association](/source/National_Collegiate_Athletic_Association) (NCAA), primarily competing in the [Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association](/source/Central_Intercollegiate_Athletic_Association) (CIAA) since the 2018–19 academic year. The Panthers have also competed in the [Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference](/source/Southern_Intercollegiate_Athletic_Conference) (SIAC) from 2008–09 to 2017–18; as well as in the defunct [Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference](/source/Eastern_Intercollegiate_Athletic_Conference) (EIAC) from 1983–84 to 2004–05. Claflin competes in ten intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's basketball, baseball, cross country and track & field, and women's basketball, cheerleading, cross country, softball, track & field and volleyball. Claflin has an all-girl cheerleading team that serves as athletics support and ambassadors of the institution as well as their pep band. === Student organizations === There are over 50 student organizations on campus, including several honor societies and chapters for eight of the nine [National Pan-Hellenic Council](/source/National_Pan-Hellenic_Council) organizations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.claflin.edu/student-life/clubs-and-organizations|title=Clubs & Organizations|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=2020-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413004745/https://www.claflin.edu/student-life/clubs-and-organizations|url-status=live}} == Notable alumni == {{AlumniStart}} {{Alum|name=[Robert Charles Bates](/source/Robert_Charles_Bates)|year=MA 1888 |nota=He taught at Claflin University from 1890 to 1897, and designed Fisk Hall (destroyed), T. Willard Lewis Chapel, and other campus buildings.|ref={{cite web|url=http://www.claflin.edu/docs/default-source/default-document-library/claflin_university_history_book_2017-18.pdf?sfvrsn=fbd73b0e_0/|title=Notable Alumni|access-date=2018-04-20|archive-date=2018-04-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421030934/http://www.claflin.edu/docs/default-source/default-document-library/claflin_university_history_book_2017-18.pdf?sfvrsn=fbd73b0e_0/|url-status=live}}}} {{Alum|name=[Gloria Rackley Blackwell](/source/Gloria_Rackley_Blackwell)|year=1953 |nota=Civil rights activist, professor at [Clark Atlanta University](/source/Clark_Atlanta_University).|ref=Carolyn Click, [http://www.claflin.edu/News/templates/Claflin-Full-Article.aspx?articleid=884&zoneid=1 "Orangeburg civil rights icon, and Claflin alumna Dr. Gloria Rackley Blackwell dies"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929183039/http://www.claflin.edu/News/templates/Claflin-Full-Article.aspx?articleid=884&zoneid=1 |date=2011-09-29 }}, Claflin University (December 10, 2010). Retrieved June 2, 2011}} {{Alum|name=[William Wilson Cooke](/source/William_Wilson_Cooke)|year=1893, 1902 |nota=Architect, designed Lee Library (1898) and [Tingley Memorial Hall](/source/Tingley_Memorial_Hall%2C_Claflin_College). He went to Washington, D.C., to become the first black architect in the [Office of the Supervising Architect for the U.S. Treasury](/source/Office_of_the_Supervising_Architect_for_the_U.S._Treasury), and planned and administered federal buildings.|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[Joseph H. Jefferson](/source/Joseph_H._Jefferson)|year=1970 |nota=Member of the [South Carolina House of Representatives](/source/South_Carolina_House_of_Representatives), representing the 102nd District.|ref={{cite web|url=http://www.scstatehouse.gov/members/bios/0924999889.html|title=Joseph H Jefferson|access-date=2011-01-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208130659/http://www.scstatehouse.gov/members/bios/0924999889.html|archive-date=2008-12-08|url-status=dead}}}} {{Alum|name=[E. Roger Mitchell](/source/E._Roger_Mitchell)|year=1993 |nota= Actor in ''[The Walking Dead](/source/The_Walking_Dead_(TV_series))'' and ''[The Hunger Games: Catching Fire](/source/The_Hunger_Games%3A_Catching_Fire)''.|ref={{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0593301/ |title=E. Roger Mitchell |publisher=IMDb |access-date=2015-11-09 |archive-date=2015-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106230732/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0593301/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/claflin-university#ranking-dataset/596947|title=Claflin University|publisher=Times Higher Education|work=World University Rankings|access-date=2017-01-16|archive-date=2017-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118071235/https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/claflin-university#ranking-dataset/596947|url-status=live}}}} {{Alum|name=[Ernest Newman](/source/Ernest_Newman)|year=1948 |nota=First African-American bishop of the Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church.|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[Arthur Rose Sr.](/source/Arthur_Rose_Sr.)|year=1950 |nota=Chair of Art Department (1952-1973) at Claflin University; the Arthur Rose Museum at the university was named for him|ref={{cite web|url=http://thejohnsoncollection.org/arthur-rose/|title=The Johnson Collection - Rose, Arthur 1921-1995|access-date=2015-05-10|archive-date=2015-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518091942/http://thejohnsoncollection.org/arthur-rose/|url-status=live}}}} {{Alum|name=[James S. Thomas](/source/James_Samuel_Thomas)|year=1939 |nota=First African-American bishop of the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[Henry N. Tisdale](/source/Henry_N._Tisdale)|year=B.S. 1965 |nota=Eighth president of Claflin University. First African-American to earn a PhD. In mathematics at Dartmouth College.|ref=}} {{Alum|name=[Leo Twiggs](/source/Leo_Twiggs)|year=1956 |nota=Artist and educator at [South Carolina State University](/source/South_Carolina_State_University); the first African American to receive a doctorate of Arts from the [University of Georgia](/source/University_of_Georgia).|ref={{cite web|url=http://www.hamptoniiigallery.com/index.php?id=420|title=Hampton III Gallery Artist: Leo F. Twiggs (1934- )|access-date=2008-06-09|archive-date=2018-04-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424071734/http://www.hamptoniiigallery.com/index.php?id=420|url-status=dead}}}} {{Alum|name=[Cecil J. Williams](/source/Cecil_J._Williams)|year=1960 |nota=American photographer, founder of the Cecil Williams Civil Rights Museum, publisher, author and inventor best known for his photography documenting the civil rights movement in South Carolina.|ref={{cite web|title=Cecil Williams|website=Sandlapper Publishing|url=http://www.sandlapperpublishing.com/cecil_williams.htm|access-date=2008-06-09|archive-date=2007-11-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071106042106/http://www.sandlapperpublishing.com/cecil_williams.htm|url-status=dead}}}} {{Alum|name=[Bryan Andrew Wilson](/source/Bryan_Andrew_Wilson)|year=2004 |nota=Gospel artist|ref={{cite web|url=http://thegospelsource.com/gospel-veteran-bishop-bryan-andrew-wilson-launches-convocation-this-weekend/|title=Gospel Veteran Bishop Bryan Andrew Wilson|access-date=2014-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212061852/http://thegospelsource.com/gospel-veteran-bishop-bryan-andrew-wilson-launches-convocation-this-weekend/|archive-date=2014-02-12|url-status=dead}}}} {{AlumniEnd}} == References == {{reflist}} == External links == {{commons category}} * {{official website}} * [https://athletics.claflin.edu/ Athletics website] {{navboxes |title = Articles related to Claflin University |titlestyle = background:#6B193F; color:white; border:2px solid #F67D20 |list = {{Colleges and universities in South Carolina}} {{MethodistColleges}} {{HBCU}} {{Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association navbox}} {{Peach Belt Conference navbox}} {{College sports in South Carolina|state=collapsed}} {{National Register of Historic Places in South Carolina}} }} {{authority control}} {{Coord|33|29|54.08|N|80|51|14.53|W|display=title}} Category:Claflin University Category:University and college buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in South Carolina Category:Private universities and colleges in South Carolina Category:Historically black universities and colleges in South Carolina Category:Universities and colleges established in 1869 Category:Methodism in South Carolina Category:Colonial Revival architecture in South Carolina Category:Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Category:African-American history of South Carolina Category:Education in Orangeburg County, South Carolina Category:Buildings and structures in Orangeburg County, South Carolina Category:National Register of Historic Places in Orangeburg County, South Carolina Category:1869 establishments in South Carolina --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Claflin University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claflin_University) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claflin_University?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.