Claflin University News September 23, 2013 Claflin Begins National HBCU Week Festivities; Observation Continues Through September 28 Claflin University's student leaders spoke of their love for and pride in attending the historically black university during this year's National HBCU Week Kick-Off. Monday's event officially launched a week of activities at Claflin highlighting the significance of these institutions over the past century and a half, and beyond. "HBCUs have been not only a blessing to the past, but continue to shower prosperity and opportunities for people regardless of their skin color, religion or creed," Mister Claflin University 2013-2014, Darius Stanton, said. "HBCUs must continue to provide the portal to visionary leadership and love for all mankind." Those gathered for the midday ceremony at Panther Plaza were treated to two selections by the Claflin University Gospel Choir "DREAM" and heard President Barack Obama's National HBCU Week Proclamation, delivered by Claflin Vice President for Administration Mr. Drexel B. Ball. "There's a certain type of love and care that you feel on an HBCU campus," Sophomore Class President Miss Aria Dillard said. "You can feel your professors and faculty rooting for you to succeed. The close-knit environment of this HBCU is the driving force behind each student that matriculates on this campus. From President Tisdale to individual deans, the Claflin staff knows you, and it is that sense of belonging that causes HBCU students to flourish and to graduate, and to walk away with more than just a degree, but with a confidence - the Claflin Confidence. "As a student of an HBCU, I trust that Claflin University is preparing me to be able to handle the greatness of the possibilities that lie before me." In addition to Monday's kickoff, National HBCU Week events at Claflin will feature a "Now and Then: Fifty Years Later" panel discussion on Tuesday with community individuals who attended the 1963 March on Washington and, Claflin student who traveled to this year's 50th anniversary March on Washington event, and a "Different Faces, Different Cultures" multicultural gathering Tuesday evening in Ministers' Hall. Claflin is also celebrating its annual Panther Fest Sept. 22-28. The following activities will be held this week at the University: * Sunday, Sept. 22 9:30 a.m. - Worship, James and Dorothy Z. Elmore Chapel 6:00-10:00 p.m. - Movie Night, Grace Thomas Kennedy Auditorium * Monday, Sept. 23 *** Panther Pride Day - Wear Your Panther Gear! *** 12:15 p.m. - HBCU Week Kick-Off, Panther Plaza 5:00 p.m. - Panel Discussion with Bombingham Author Anthony Grooms and Claflin Professor Dr. Millicent Brown, Ministers' Hall 6:00-10:00 p.m. - Movie Night, Grace Thomas Kennedy Auditorium 7:00 p.m. - Claflin University's Got Talent, W. V. Middleton Fine Arts Center * Tuesday, Sept. 24 11:00-11:50 a.m. - Freshman Assembly: Bombingham Author Anthony Grooms, W. V. Middleton Fine Arts Center 7:00 p.m. - HBCU Program: "Now and Then: 50 Years Later," W. V. Middleton Fine Arts Center 8:00 p.m. - HBCU Program: "Different Faces, Different Cultures," Ministers' Hall * Wednesday, Sept. 25 5:00 p.m. - Lyceum Event: Author and Folklorist Dr. Mona Lisa Saloy, Ministers' Hall 6:00 p.m. - International Students Power Hour, James and Dorothy Z. Elmore Chapel 7:00-10:00 p.m. - Reggae Night on the Yard, Panther Plaza * Thursday, Sept. 26 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Fall Career Fest, Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center 1:00 p.m. - Presentation by Nobel Laureate Dr. Wolfgang Ketterle, W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center 6:30-9:00 p.m. - Pep Rally, Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center 9:30-11:00 p.m. - Late Night Breakfast, Campus Dining Center * Friday, Sept. 27 6:00-7:30 p.m. - September Expressions on the Yard (featuring snow cones and popcorn), Panther Plaza 7:30-10:00 p.m. - Unity Greek Stroll Off * Saturday, Sept. 28 3:00-7:00 p.m. - Basketball Tournament, High Rise Court "This week is one where we can appreciate the fact that we have been blessed to attend such a prestigious University, and also appreciate the fact that we will have the honor of becoming Claflin student legacies," Miss Claflin 2013-2014, Bria Spivey, said. "Help us celebrate this week with pride." SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.