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Claflin University

The World Needs Visionaries By Glenn Carson

“The university’s upward trajectory as a
premier liberal arts institution has produced
national and global recognition through the
achievements of its scholars and world-class
faculty,” said Jo Cotton, Claflin’s Director of
Public Relations. “The dedicated administrators
and loyal alumni have also contributed to Claflin’s
growing prominence.”

U.S. News & World Report ranked Claflin in
the top ten best Historically Black colleges and
universities for the academic year 2022-23. It
has been in the top ten for the magazine for 12
years running. With an average class size of 16
students and 38 undergraduate majors, Claflin
offers an exceptional experience for students
from South Carolina and beyond.

The mission statement sums up the
University’s goals: Claflin is a diverse and
laflin University in Orangeburg, a time of real growth for Claflin. By 1888 Dunton inclusive community of students, faculty,
SC has been a bridge to success had enough support to expand the campus. staff, and administrators who work to cultivate
since 1869. Named for Lee Claflin, New buildings allowed the University to provide practical wisdom, judgment, knowledge, skills,
Ca Methodist layman from Boston more training in industry and trade. The School and character needed for globally engaged
and his son William, who was Governor of of Military Tactics was added, as well as a YMCA. citizenship and effective leadership.
Massachusetts, the University’s founding marked In 1896, the South Carolina Agricultural and Learn more at claflin.edu.
the first time that South Carolina students could Mechanical Institute (now South Carolina State
enroll in an institution of higher education University) and Claflin University separated
into two institutions. That, along with a fire
“regardless of race, complexion, or and fundraising challenges, made Dunton’s
religious opinion.”
tenure as difficult as it was rewarding.
U.S. News
Only four years following the & World Report Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack was
end of the Civil War, this was a named president in 2019.
major landscape change for the ranked Claflin in the Warmack had previously served
Southern state. top ten best Historically as president of Harris-Stowe
Black colleges and State University in St. Louis, Mo.
Dr. Alonzo Webster, Claflin’s universities for the He brings his experience in
first president and professor of academic year program design, development,
systematic theology and moral/ 2022-23. and accreditation to move Claflin
mental philosophy, also served as firmly into the 21st century. Among
the institution’s chief fundraiser. He was his accomplishments, Warmack led a
instrumental in establishing an agricultural multimillion-dollar renovation of the residence halls.
The recipient of numerous awards, Warmack was
and mechanical college at the University.
inducted into Delta State University’s Hall of Fame.

Through the administrations of nine Claflin’s Panthers field teams in 11 sports
presidents over the history of Claflin, the and play in NCAA Division II. Baseball, cross-
University has continued to meet the needs of country, and volleyball are included, with men’s
students in successive generations. The long and women’s basketball making the Panthers
tenure of Dr. Lewis M. Dunton (1884-1922) was truly shine.

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