Claflin University News September 25, 2018 CLAFLIN COMES TO TOWN SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 25 IN CHARLESTON AT WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Claflin University is taking its "Claflin Comes To Town," fundraiser reception to a place of historic significance: Charleston, S.C. on Thursday, October 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church at 446 Meeting Street. The reception is held for the benefit of The FOCUS100 Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance for deserving students. "A large number of students and alumni are from the Charleston area and Claflin's history is deeply tied to the city, as well,"Claflin University President Henry N. Tisdale said. "Claflin was founded in 1869 and its first president was Dr. Alonzo Webster, a prominent Methodist minister and a teacher at the Baker Theological Institute which was founded in 1866 in Charleston. In 1870, Baker Theological Institute merged with Claflin University." President Tisdale will discuss the impact and importance of FOCUS100 Scholarships at the reception as part of his "Envisioning Excellence Farewell Tour." Tisdale, who has provided visionary leadership at Claflin for 25 years, announced last spring that he will retire on June 30, 2019. Tisdale has stated that increasing funds for FOCUS100 and other scholarship program are among his top priorities. Established in 2004 by the Claflin University Board of Visitors, the FOCUS100 Scholarship Fund has been a major source of support toward helping students fulfill their dreams of graduating from Claflin University. The Board of Visitors has set a fundraising goal of $1 million for this year. The scholarships offer supplemental support for students who experience an unexpected financial crisis, such as a family or health related emergency, that may cause them to withdraw from school without earning a degree. FOCUS100 Scholarships have contributed to the marked increase in the retention rate for first-year students during the past decade. To RSVP for "Clafin Comes To Town," please contact Ms. Tammy McCottry by Friday September 14, at tmccottry@claflin.edu<mailto:tmccottry@claflin.edu> or (803)535-5665. SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. The 8th HBCU Library Alliance Membership Meeting is scheduled at the Atlanta University Center Woodruff Library (GA) on Sunday through Tuesday, October 7-9. Click here<http://www.hbculibraries.org/meeting-2018-info.html> for registration and session details. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/