2023 Fall Commencement Convocation Program

Claflin History

Their Rightful Place Claflin University was founded in 1869 by Methodist missionaries to prepare freed slaves to take their rightful places as full American citizens. The University takes its name from two Methodist churchmen, Massachusetts Governor William Claflin and his father, Boston philanthropist Lee Claflin, who provided a large part of the funds to purchase the campus.

Dr. Alonzo Webster, a minister and educator from Vermont and a member of Claflin’s Board of Trustees, secured Claflin’s charter in 1869.

The charter forbids discrimination of any sort among faculty, staff and students, making Claflin the first South Carolina University open to all students regardless of race, class or gender.

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Claflin opened its doors with Dr. Webster as its first president.

He came to South Carolina to teach at the Baker Biblical Institute in Charleston, an institution established by the S.C. 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

The charter forbids discrimination of any sort...

Claflin has been served by nine presidents: Dr. Alonzo Webster (1869-1874) Dr. Edward Cooke (1874-1884) Dr. Lewis M. Dunton (1884-1922) Dr. Joseph B. Randolph (1922-1945) Dr. John J. Seabrook (1945-1955) Dr. Hubert V. Manning (1956-1984)

University. 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.

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Dr. Oscar A. Rogers Jr. (1984-1994) Dr. Henry N. Tisdale (1994-2019) Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack (2019-present)

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The Presidential Medallion

A Past to Cherish, A Future to Fulfill The Presidential Medallion is a 23 troy ounce medallion and chain crafted in 1995 by William Frederick, M.F.A., a Chicago metal smith. The sterling silver chain contains 18 links, each faced with a unique cross design. The chain was created by lost-wax casting, a centuries-old process originally used by the Etruscans. The sterling silver medallion, which hangs from the chain, is hand engraved in three layers and silver soldered.

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In addition to an interpretation of the Claflin seal, the medallion contains three elements reflecting the history and heritage of the university: • 1869 - The year of the university’s founding • Torch and Bible: imagery of academic purpose and a Christian heritage.

These signify Claflin’s commitment to provide a liberal arts education in an environment that also encourages the spiritual growth of the student.

Tempus Praeteritum Alendum, Futurum Complendum, Latin for “A Past to Cherish, A Future to Fulfill,” a Claflin motto.

Engraved on the reverse side of the medallion are the names of Claflin’s first eight presidents and their years in office. President Warmack’s name is engraved on the back of the center link, directly connected to the medallion, a position that will be reserved for the name of the governing president.

FUTURUM 5

The Tingley Cupola

The Product of Visionaries Tingley Memorial Hall, like Claflin University itself, is the product of visionary northern Methodist missionaries and laymen and Black South Carolinians. It is a two-story building constructed in 1908, according to the preliminary plans of William Wilson Cooke. It has a copper-clad cupola, which is Claflin’s most recognizable symbol, and was dedicated in 1908 to the memory of Adella M. Tingley, the wife of Samuel Tingley, whose largess benefited higher education.

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The structure is perhaps one of the most historic on the campus.

Mr. Cooke, born in 1871 in Greenville, South Carolina, completed the classical preparatory course at Claflin in 1891. Earning his BS degree at Claflin, he also took courses at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and at Columbia University. He left Claflin in March 1907 to become the first Black senior architectural designer with the United States Supervising Architect’s Office in Washington, D.C., a position he held for 22 years.

This structure is perhaps one of the most historic on the campus. In 1993, Tingley Memorial Hall was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Funds to restore the historic building were obtained through grants from the Black College Fund of the United Methodist Church, the Bush Foundation and the U. S. Department of Education.

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Claflin University Mace

Purpose, Character, & Traditions Claflin’s mace, like those of other academic institutions, represents the solidarity of the academic community and symbolizes the University’s high purpose, character and traditions. The mace bearer carries the mace at all regaled academic functions and indicates the beginning of a session by placing it in full view.

Historically, the mace originated and was first used in Egypt, where it represented creative achievement and assertiveness in man. In the Middle Ages it was used as a weapon of war.

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...the mace represents deputized authority and dignity.

Today, however, the mace represents deputized authority and dignity.

The Claflin University mace was carved from a solid piece of American red oak. The upward portion of the mace was constructed in the shape of a square, which accommodates three of the university seals and a history of leadership since 1869.

Dr. Sam Cobbins, Professor of Technology at Jackson State University, designed and constructed the Claflin University mace in 1984.

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Academic Regalia

Inspired by Monks The history of academic dress goes back to the Fourteenth Century European universities such as Oxford and Paris which grew out of church schools. In the medieval time, both faculty and students were regarded as part of the clergy and wore their caps, gowns and hoods—modeled after the garb of the monks—daily, not just on special occasions.

The gown worn today seems to have evolved from the habit of Benedictine monks. In the United States the gown is usually black, and its pattern varies according to the degree held. The

The head covering of academic regalia developed from the skull cap

White

Copper

Olive Drab

Light blue

Scarlet

Brown

Art, Letters, Humanities Business Administration Divinity/Theology

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bachelor’s gown has long pointed sleeves, and the master’s gown has an oblong sleeve with the rear part square and front part in an arc. The doctor’s gown in the Middle Ages was often furred, a feature that survives today in the ornamentation of velvet panels down the front and three velvet bars across the sleeve. The velvet is usually black, but may be a color designating the subject to which the degree pertains—scarlet, for example, for divinity.

Economics Education Fine Arts

...its color heralding the major fields of learning...

worn to protect the monks’ tonsured heads in cold weather. In universities, the cap acquired a point on top which evolved into the tassel, and in the United States, the cap itself became the mortarboard.

Originally the monk’s hood was worn over the head in inclement weather or draped to the shoulders as a cowl.

At first both faculty and students wore it, but early in the Sixteenth Century it became restricted to graduates, and to this day, it remains a mark of a degree holder. Today

each college or university has added a distinctively-colored hood lining by which graduates may be recognized in academic processions.

Symbolically, the width of the hood’s velvet trimmings designates the level of the degree, its color heralding the major field of learning, and its lining identifying the institution that granted the degree.

Colors indicating fields of study by members of the Claflin University faculty are:

Lemon

Sage Green

Pink

Salmon Pink

Dark blue

Golden Yellow

Library Science Music Philosophy

Physical Education Public Health Science

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Commencement Speaker

DR. MARVA SMALLS Executive Vice President, Global Head of Inclusion, Paramount and Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Nickelodeon Marva Smalls is the Executive Vice President, Global Head of Inclusion at Paramount and Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Nickelodeon. As EVP, Global Head of Inclusion, Smalls reports directly to Paramount’s President and CEO, Bob Bakish. Her role includes implementing strategic initiatives and fostering partnerships that promote and advance diversity, inclusion and belonging for Paramount enterprise-wide, with both internal and external stakeholders globally. As EVP, Public Affairs, Kids & Family Entertainment Brands, Smalls also oversees all corporate responsibility initiatives and relationships with external advocates and regulators for Nickelodeon.

Smalls has more than three decades of leadership experience in the public and private sectors. She previously served in dual roles as EVP, Global Head of Inclusion Strategy, Viacom, and EVP, Public Affairs and Chief of Staff, Nickelodeon. During this time, she developed best-in-class diversity and inclusion initiatives and advisory councils that inspired employee engagement and fostered a collaborative culture, while driving innovation and business results. She established Viacom’s Employee Resource Groups globally and expanded key partnerships in international markets. As Chief Of Staff for Nickelodeon, Smalls also partnered with the network’s President to manage day-to-day operations.

Before joining Viacom in 1993, Smalls was the Chief of Staff for U.S. Congressman Robin Tallon (D-SC) and served in South Carolina Governor Richard Riley’s administration. She was the first African-American Chief of Staff for a white Southern Member of Congress. Smalls is a founding member of the Black Economic Alliance and serves on numerous boards including the American Theatre Wing, the International African American Museum, the James Beard Foundation, the Heisman Trophy Trust, and Synovus Bank/ South Carolina.

Smalls holds graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of South Carolina, where she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities. Additionally, she founded the Marva Smalls Endowment, which has awarded more than $1.5 million to programs for youth and families, as well as a $1 million endowment to the Ronald McNair Center to support aerospace students from underrepresented populations.

She resides in New York and South Carolina.

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Alma Mater When the sun of Carolina Mounts the eastern sky, Proudly stands our Alma Mater, On the hilltop high.

When the evening twilight deepens And the shadows fall, Linger long the golden sunbeams, O’er the western wall.

When the Shades of night shall gather, Dark the heart may be, Still the rays of youth and love Shall linger long o’er thee.

Chorus Orange, Maroon, float for aye Claflin fair o’er thee, *May we all be leal and loyal To thy memory

Words: Etta Butler Rowe (1896-1903) | Harmonized by Dr. Fredericka Young (1962) *Revised by Dr. Isaiah McGee, 2014 | *original text “May thy sons be leal and loyal”

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Hymn

Lift Every Voice & Sing

By James Weldon Johnson

Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us, Facing the rising sun of our new day begun Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who has brought us thus far on the way; Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand.

True to our God, True to our native land.

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PROGRAM PRESIDING

Dr. Karl S. Wright Provost and Chief Academic Officer

PRELUDE

Dr. Eric Crawford Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology

PROCESSIONAL

War March Of The Priests Felix Mendelssohn

POSTING OF THE COLORS

ROTC Color Guard

HYMN

Lift Every Voice and Sing

(CONGREGATION)

Lyrics by James W. Johnson, Music by J. Rosamund Johnson

INVOCATION

Reverend Larry D. McCutcheon, ’72

GREETINGS

Mrs. Lessie B. Price

Interim Chaplain

Vice Chair of the Board

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack

CHALLENGE TO THE GRADUATING SENIORS

Ms. Jada Sina’ Brown, ’23

INTRODUCTION OF COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Mrs. LaKisha L. Warmack

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President

Valedictorian Political Science, BS | Summa Cum Laude

First Lady

COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

Dr. Marva Smalls

PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES

Dr. Karl S. Wright

*CONFERRING OF DEGREES

Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack

INDUCTION OF GRADUATES INTO THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Dr. Marcus Burgess

Executive Vice President, Global Head of Inclusion, Paramount and Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Nickelodeon

Vice President for Institutional Advancement

I do solemnly vow and affirm that as an alumnus of Claflin University, I will do everything within my power to foster the spirit of intelligent inquiry in this University and harmony in mankind in the community in which I live and work, and will act to preserve these attributes at all times.

I do solemnly vow and affirm that as an alumnus of Claflin University, I will propagate and otherwise support the goals of the University and will give moral, mental and financial support, without reservation, willingly and to the fullest extent of my means.

I will, in the interest of Claflin University, assume this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, so help me God.

ALMA MATER

arr. Fredericka R. Young

BENEDICTION

Reverend Larry D. McCutcheon, ’72

RECESSIONAL

“Grand March” from Aida Giuseppe Verdi

POSTLUDE

Dr. Eric Crawford

*The diploma will be issued based on confirmation from the Office of Records and Registration that the student has completed all graduation requirements.

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CLASS OF

Fall Class of 2023

baccalaureate & master degrees

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS dr. nicholas j. hill, dean Amari Yohance Armstead  Business Administration, BS | Magna Cum Laude | Florissant, MD

Dillon Matalon Beckford Business Administration, MBA | Gaston, SC

Tievon Bowman Marketing, BS | Orangebug, SC

Jacobi Kenith Cline-Gates Management, BS | Columbia, SC

Earnestine Cochran Organizational Management, BS | Magna Cum Laude | Orangeburg, SC

Matthew Coverson-Springs Business Administration, MBA | Columbia, SC

Pamela Cramer-Watts Business Administration, MBA | Orangeburg, SC

Tyler J. Durham Management, BS | Wadmalaw Island, SC

Devin Sabraé Escalera Marketing, BS | Magna Cum Laude | Greer, SC

Darrius Ja’Von Genwright Business Administration, BS | Cum Laude | Mullins, SC

Wes Un’Sel Guyton Business Administration, BS | North Augusta, SC

Ambria Henry Business Administration, MBA | Milledgeville, GA

Canesha Nicole Johnson Business Administration, MBA | Orangeburg, SC

Eysis Twyla Johnson Marketing, BS | Magna Cum Laude | Garnett, SC

 Denotes Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College Student 20

Genera Mayes Organizational Management, BS | Orangeburg, SC

MaShala’ Unique McKnight Organizational Management, BS | Charlotte, NC

Kobe Bernard Miller Business Administration, BS | Cum Laude | Chesnee, SC

Olivia Amerie Miller Business Administration, BS | Cum Laude | Hopkins, SC

Sydney Grace-Louise Murdaugh Business Administration, MBA | Orangeburg, SC

Caleb Patterson Business Administration, BS | Columbia, SC

Summer Jenae Paul Business Administration, BS | Rock Hill, SC

Juwan Rashon Reid Management, BS | Columbia, SC

Janelle Sample  Marketing, BS | Cum Laude | Richmond, VA

Amaryah Alyn Seawright Business Administration, BS | Columbia, SC

Wanda Thomas Business Administration, MBA | Summerton, SC

Richardine M. Tyler-Isaac Organizational Management, BS | Cum Laude | Orangeburg, SC

Alexis Michala Williams Business Administration, MBA | Moncks Corner, SC

Karin Michayla Young Business Administration, BS | Orangeburg, SC

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Fall Class of 2023

baccalaureate & master degrees

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION dr. anthony a. pittman, dean Jaylah Claresse Bailey Sport Management, BS | Cum Laude | Ormond Beach, FL

Nathaniel Bookman Jr. Early Childhood Program Administration, BS | Columbia, SC

Marcus Henrico Burgess II Elementary Education, BS | Columbia, SC

DeAndrea Bush Curriculum & Instruction, M.Ed. | North Charleston, SC

Stacey Griffith Davis Early Childhood Education, BS | Orangeburg,, SC

Evan Tyrell Hall Human Performance and Recreation, BS | Aiken, SC

George Warren Johnson Jr. Curriculum & Instruction, M.Ed. | Summerville, SC

Hannah Arielle Mallory-Nash Early Childhood Program Administration, BS | Spartanburg, SC

Chris Davis McKenzie Jr. Curriculum & Instruction, M.Ed. | Orangeburg, SC

Mya Middleton Sport Management, BS | Columbia, SC

Latycia Monique Milton Curriculum & Instruction, M.Ed. | Saint Helena Island, SC

Jordan Nicole Pritcher Early Childhood Program Administration, BS | Magna Cum Laude | Statesboro, GA

Au’Breyonna Dy’Naja Roberts Early Childhood Program Administration, BS | Martin, SC

Imani Rasheed Toomer Human Performance and Recreation, BS | Bamberg, SC

Jayla Jenise Wiggs Human Performance and Recreation, BS | Covington, GA 22

Fall Class of 2023

baccalaureate & master degrees

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES dr. isaiah r. mcgee, dean Lashawn Renee Bingham Criminal Justice, MS | Columbia, SC

Tarik Boyd Criminal Justice, BA | Andrews, SC

Frankie Boyd Jr. Psychology, BA | Aiken, SC

Cynthia D. Bratcher Psychology, BA | Richmond, VA

Taighlor Bryea Broadwater Psychology, BA | North Charleston, SC

Jada Sinai’ Brown Political Science, BA | Summa Cum Laude | James Island, SC

Bridgett Shavonne Burnett Criminal Justice, BA | Orangeburg, SC

Eboni Shayvonia Clark-Corley Psychology, BA | Orangeburg, SC

Tanesha Catina Cook Psychology, BA | Bennettsville, SC

DeAndre’ SanQuan Curtis Psychology, BA | North Charleston, SC

Danita Alexis Donaldson Sociology, BA | Greenwood, SC

Joshua Dupree Downey Integrated Studies, BA | North Charleston, SC

India Ladasia Fleming Political Science, BA | Cum Laude | Kingstree, SC

Au’Jeria Tiyanna Flowers Criminal Justice, BA | Allendale, SC

Destiny Mariah Laverne Floyd Psychology, BA | Jonesville, SC 23

Sabrina Frazier Psychology, BA | Orangeburg, SC

Taronne T. Garland Criminal Justice, BA | Washington, DC

Psychology, BA | Cum Laude | Hopkins, SC

BriShaun Keyona Harper History, BA | Columbia, SC

Michael L. Haynes Jr. Psychology, BA | Fredericksburg, VA

Diamond Henry Psychology, BA | Cum Laude | Orangeburg, SC

Alaysha Demetria Heyward Psychology, BA | Charleston, SC

Shaniya Latia Hunter Psychology, BA | Dalzell, SC

Ishmael Jackson Digital Design, BA | Magna Cum Laude | Florence, SC

Erinn Alexandria James Psychology, BA | Irmo, SC

Jamario Fazonne James Psychology, BA | Neeses, SC

Quinterra Denise Jamison Psychology, BA | Allenhurst, GA

Raven Sade Johnson Psychology, BA | Columbia, SC

Bernard Dwain Johnson II Psychology, BA | Ridgeville, SC

Elani’ Mari Mann Psychology, BA | Long Beach, CA

Shaquana Antinika McFarland Psychology, BA | Florence, SC

Malaysha A’vey Mitchell Criminal Justice, BA | Florence, SC

MiKajiah Elise Moore Criminal Justice, BA | Newberry, SC

TyAsia Nashae Mulky Criminal Justice, MS | Summerton, SC 24

HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES

Erion Aylātan Goodwin

Taja Shanea Nixon Criminal Justice, MS | Jamestown, SC

Marcus Latrell Oliver Psychology, BA | Camden, SC

Criminal Justice, MS | Greensboro, AL

Shekinah Maychel Norice Ruff Psychology, BA | Magna Cum Laude | Rock Hill, SC

Na-Asia D’jon Smalls Criminal Justice & Psychology, BA | Ridgeville, SC

Zikea Hideama Michelle Stewart Political Science & Psychology, BA | Orangeburg, SC

LaMonica Thompson-Stewart Psychology, BA | Orangeburg, SC

Victoria Nooriya Vanish Sociology, BA | Cum Laude | Summerville, SC

Kerri Shevina Walker Criminal Justice, MS | Orangeburg, SC

Tanesha Olivia Walker Psychology, BA | St. Matthews, SC

Trenise Michelle Welch Psychology, BA | Salem, SC

Erykah Jané Weldon Criminal Justice, MS | Summerville, SC

Sha’Nautica Deasia Williams Criminal Justice, BA | Simpsonville, SC

Samoriah Alexandria Williams Criminal Justice, BA | Magna Cum Laude | Greenville, SC

Imani K. Williams Psychology, BA | Denmark, SC

Nataijah Keauna Williams Psychology, BA | Cameron, SC

Shaquari Latrice Williams Psychology, BA | Garden City, GA

Chidera Denae Wilson Psychology, BA | Lexington, SC

Shaquetta Ann Wright Criminal Justice, BA | Fairfax, SC

HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES

Matthew Breon Rox

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Fall Class of 2023

baccalaureate & master degrees

SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES & MATHEMATICS dr. verlie a. tisdale, acting dean Reth Will Abraham Computer Engineering, BS | Cum Laude | Orangeburg, SC

Donovan Jamil Alexander Biochemistry, BS | Hanahan, SC

Jacqueline S. Allen Family Nurse Practitioner, MS | Columbia, SC

Katrina James Anthony Nursing, BS | Blythewood, SC

Aliesha Argrow Biology, BS | Cum Laude | Orangeburg, SC

Jessica Shalonda Barnes Nursing, BS | Villa Rica, GA

Camisa Nicole Bennett Nursing, BS | West Columbia, SC

Kenisha Onitta Marie Brown Nursing, BS | Charlotte, NC

Erika Brown-Blair Nursing, BS | Blythewood, SC

Tyechia La’Quanda Monique Brunson Nursing, BS | Orange Park, FL

Zion Jakiya-Yatae Bryant Biology, BS | Anderson, SC

Candice Patrice Bryant Nursing, BS | Sumter, SC

Destiny Nycole Butler Family Nurse Practitioner, MS | Lexington, SC

Autumn Cheyann Carter Family Nurse Practitioner, MS | Walterboro, SC

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Nursing, BS | Ladson, SC

Keneysha Sharae Cornish Nursing, BS | Columbia, SC

Alexia Sefora-Yvette Echols Biology, BS | Hyattsville, MD

Ashley Michelle Gibbs-Sanders Family Nurse Practitioner, MS | Eutawville, SC

Shantanique Ka’Niece Givens-Franklin Family Nurse Practitioner, MS | Walterboro, SC

Joshua Chase Gordon Computer Engineering, BS | North Augusta, SC

Darius Travell Goss Biology, BS | Johns Island, SC

Carlotta Juliana Gray Family Nurse Practitioner, MS | Fairfax, SC

Micheal Andre Harper Computer Science, BS | Hemingway, SC

Janell Horton Biology, BS | Myrtle Beach, SC

Ashley Ayer Hutto Family Nurse Practitioner, MS | Branchville, SC

Carol Tyler Jackson Nursing, BS | Salley, SC

Cherron J’Neista Jenkins Nursing, BS | State Park, SC

Thelma Tamyra Johnson Clemons Nursing, BS | Aiken, SC

Crystal L. Jones Nursing, BS | Orangeburg, SC

Lystasha Italy Kershaw Biology, BS | Orangeburg, SC

Uriah Marie King Biology, BS | Millville, NJ

Vickie Latrease Lattimore Nursing, BS | Augusta, GA

Jynesis Allyse-Oliviyah Lee

NATURAL SCIENCES & MATHEMATICS

Chanequa B. Cash

Biology, BS | Magna Cum Laude | Summerville, SC 27

Biology, BS | Columbia, SC

Shawnese Brianne Mitchell Nursing, BS | Hollywood, SC

Marquita Danielle Moss Family Nurse Practitioner, MS | Martinsville, VA

La’Tonia Rhianna Murdaugh Biology, BS | Orangeburg, SC

Naiya Mehkai Pettway Biology, BS | Port Orange, FL

Juana Sherri Rambert Nursing, BS | Summerville, SC

Stacey Rosemarie Richardson Nursing, BS | Sumter, SC

Monty Omar Richmond Nursing, BS | Lexington, SC

Mendel Christopher Rivers Management Information Science, BS | Columbia, SC

Tarah Nichole Simmons Family Nurse Practitioner, MS | Walterboro, SC

Adrianne Danyale Smith Nursing, BS | Aiken, SC

James Lester Steedley Nursing, BS | Andrews, SC

Doris Raquale Steele-Harris Family Nurse Practitioner, MS | Fort Mill, SC

Shaquille Akeem Terry Nursing, BS | Orangeburg, SC

Diamonita Naomiyana Franjon Tyler Nursing, BS | Cum Laude | Blythewood, SC

Romika LaShawn Wade Nursing, BS | Columbia, SC

Tiffany Monique Williams Family Nurse Practitioner, MS | Aiken, SC

Crystal Denise Williams Nursing, BS | St. Matthews, SC

Heather Lee Woodenschek Nursing, BS | North, SC 28

NATURAL SCIENCES & MATHEMATICS

Amari Denea McCarty

*The diploma will be issued based on confirmation from the Office of Records and Registration that the student has completed all graduation requirements.

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ACADEMIC HONORS Academic Honors are awarded at graduation to baccalaureate degree candidates who have achieved one of the following cumulative scholastic averages:

SUMMA CUM LAUDE With Highest Distinction

3.90 - 4.00

MAGNA CUM LAUDE With Great Distinction

CUM LAUDE With Distinction

3.75 - 3.89

3.50 - 3.74

The Gold Stole is worn by students who have achieved Academic Honors distinction.

The Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College, a College within the University, offers a stimulating, rigorous learning environment for high-achieving students and for firstyear students who come to Claflin clearly prepared for success in their university-level work. The Honors College provides a program that includes rigorous and coherent learning experiences, intense academic advising, cultural enrichment activities, community-service experiences, and other activities designed to enhance and develop students’ academic and leadership potential. The Gold Cord is worn by students of the Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College.

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Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society was established to promote high scholarship; to encourage sincere and zealous endeavor in all fields of knowledge and service; to cultivate a high order of personal living; and to develop an appreciation for scholarship and scholarly endeavor in others. Alpha Kappa Mu is open to juniors and seniors in all academic fields who have earned a minimum of 30 credit hours at the institution a year prior to induction, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or better. The White Cord is worn by student members of the Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society.

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES James K. Lehman, Esq., Chair of the Board Mrs. Lessie Price, Vice Chair of the Board Mrs. Jessica Aaron Mrs. Aparna Bawa Mr. Keith M. Clarke Bishop Robin Dease, ’92 Dr. Willie L. Frazier, ’75 Artis Hampshire-Cowan, Esq. Dr. John O. Herring, ’77 William H. Johnson, Esq., ’72 Mr. George Loening Ms. Janice W. Marshall, ’69 Mr. Virgil R. Miller Mrs. Hema Patel Dr. Trudie K. Reed Mr. Robert E. Scarborough Rev. Dr. Albert Shuler, ’74 Mrs. Joan Steward Stevens, ’70 William L. Thompson, Esq. Mr. John D. Uprichard (Ret.) Brigadier General Twanda Young, ’89 Mr. Charles Winton Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, Ex-Officio

TRUSTEE EMERITUS Rev. Harold G. Wallace

PRESIDENT’S CABINET Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, President Dr. Karl S. Wright, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Ms. Shirley Biggs, Associate Vice President for Human Resources Mr. Reynolda Brown, Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Marcus H. Burgess, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. Leroy A. Durant, Vice President for Student Development and Services Dr. Teresa Hardee, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Zia Hasan, Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness Mrs. Tijuana R. Hudson, Vice President for Fiscal Affairs Mr. Tony O’Neal, Athletics Director Dr. Cletra Peters, Vice President and Chief of Staff Ms. Melvenia C. Williams, Executive Administrative Assistant to the President 32

MACE BEARER Dr. Randall Harris

GRAND MARSHAL Dr. Peggy S. Ratliff

DEPUTY MARSHALS Dr. Nathan Chaplin Mrs. Marilyn Gibbs Drayton Dr. Candice Idlebird Dr. Karina Liles Dr. Johnny Lowery Dr. Tara Saracina Dr. Shannon Smith Dr. Nesan S. Sriskanda

COMMENCEMENT COMMITTEE Dr. Verlie Tisdale, Chair

Mr. Muhammad Hossain

Mrs. Tanika Beard

Ms. Shirley Hugee

Mrs. Sharon Briggman

Mr. George Johnson

Mr. Reynolda Brown

Mr. William C. Kropff

Ms. Nankwanga Cherry

Mr. Eugene Leboeuf

Mr. Tim Coleman

Mrs. Zelda Lee

Mr. Joseph Cotton

Rev. Larry McCutcheon

Dr. Arthur Doctor

Dr. Isaiah McGee

Dr. Leroy Durant

Dr. Cletra Peters

Captain John Goodwin

Dr. Anthony Pittman

Dr. Vanessa Harris

Ms. Carolyn Snell

Mrs. Helaine Hayes

Mr. Melvin Williams

Mr. Teddy Hayes

Dr. Karl Wright

Dr. Nicholas Hill

Mr. Mike Zeigler

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