Special Capital Campaign Edition 2014 Honor Roll of Donors Claflin University 2014 Honor Roll of Donors Claflin University Dr. Henry N. Tisdale President Rev. Whittaker V. Middleton Vice President for Institutional Advancement The Honor Roll of Donors is published annually by Claflin University, Division of Institutional Advancement. Comments or suggestions should be addressed to: Editor J. Craig Cotton, Acting Assistant Vice President c/o Office of Communications & Marketing Claflin University 400 Magnolia Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115 803.535.5350 [email protected] If you have any questions about the 2014 Honor Roll of Donors, please contact Mrs. Tamika Bowman-Williams at 803.535.5351. Claflin does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, or age. This non-discriminatory policy covers admissions, financial aid, educational services and employment. Table of Contents President’s Message page 2 Overall Campaign Success Story page 6 Vision Begins at Home page 8 Inner Family’ Gives in Record Numbers page 10 Scholarship Support: Donors Overwhelmingly Invest in Students page 12 Fundraising Edge: New Model Emerges in the Campaign for Claflin University page 14 Technology Enhancements: New Framework is ‘Second to None’ page 16 Research and Faculty Development: Campaign Enhances Overall Learning Community page 18 Donors Contribute $4,389,062.00 to Claflin page 21 The Honor Roll page 21 Honor Roll / 1 Óresident’We are pleased to provides message you with the 2014 Honor Roll of Donors. It is one of the ways the University conveys its appreciation for your support in helping sustain Claflin’s reputation as one of the nation’s leading institutions of higher education. This special edition of the Honor Roll of Donors highlights the success of our capital campaign. In the pages to follow, you will read how you, our donors, provided the support that enabled us to exceed our Phase One goal of $80 million. At the time of this publication, the campaign had raised $98.7 million and we are inspired by your generosity to expand the Capital Campaign goal from $96.4 million to $100 million. Claflin remains keenly aware of the very important role it plays in educating young men and women in a globally competitive world. Support from alumni, friends, and corporate and community partners is key to the institution’s success as a relevant influence in higher education. We are excited and pleased that our annual alumni giving rate remains among the best in the nation. I encourage you to read the pages of this publication. You undoubtedly will note the University’s commitment to access and success, helping students realize their dreams and extending their academic and professional reach well beyond the walls of Claflin University. Your investment in Claflin University is appreciated. It will help make a difference and I invite your continuous support. Henry N. Tisdale ‘65 President 2 / Honor Roll Honor Roll / 3 Claflin University Exceeds Phase One Goal; More than $98 Million Highest Ever – Raised for Endowment, Academic Programs, Facilities 4 / Honor Roll Claflin University announced in March that it has exceeded of Trustees, Board of Visitors, alumni, administrators, faculty, its phase one capital campaign goal. To date, more than $98 staff, students and parents – which has contributed more than million has been raised – the largest amount in the history of the $19 million so far to the Campaign. One hundred percent of University. The funds have been used to build the endowment, the trustees have given over the life of the campaign, and some strengthen academic programs and enhance facilities. 87 percent of alumni have done so. “When we launched the campaign, we were focused on “I have had the honor and privilege of serving on Claflin’s making a strong university even stronger. We wanted to Board of Trustees for over 14 years and I have never been part bolster Claflin’s capacity to serve as a resource for the state of of a more high-performing board,” said Paul Fant, chair of the South Carolina,” said Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, president at Claflin Board of Trustees. “Together, we have given our time, talents University. “This campaign is unique. It is big. It is the most and treasure to help make this campaign a success and we ambitious campaign in the history of the University.” have done so not just because of our duties or obligations as The overall goal for the Campaign for Claflin University board members, we have done so because of our belief in this is $96.4 million, with an $80 million Phase One goal. To date, great institution and the promise that it holds for the future of a staggering $98.7 million has been raised to achieve the our state, nation and world.” University’s vision. An astonishing 98 percent of Claflin’s administrators, “It is bold, but we believe that the founding of the faculty and staff have donated to the cause. The student body University was bold. In 1869, it took quite an imagination for has surpassed its original $100,000 goal, raising $175,000 and those founders to believe that they could establish a degree- is well on its way to achieving a new goal of giving $200,000 to granting University to educate the newly freed slaves in the the capital campaign. Claflin parents are also an integral part state of South Carolina. Therefore, we could do no less to try of the campaign, having surpassed their original $50,000 goal. to continue achieving the dreams and the ambitions of the They are closing in on a new goal of giving $100,000 to the founders of the University. We’re just continuing to imagine capital campaign. and continuing to build on that vision for this “This campaign was about individuals, and believing that great University.” those who were closest to the University would be willing to The campaign’s success can be attributed, in large part, to give first and give the most,” Tisdale said. “I think all who the generosity of Claflin University’s inner family – its Board come to this University really share a vision and mission.” Honor Roll / 5 Imagine the Possibilities Because of the fundraising efforts associated with the “We’re raising money to take Claflin to another level, to campaign, Claflin University made history in 2013 when it invest in the future. We’re really taking it to another level of achieved a record 52.2 percent alumni giving rate – first among imagining the possibilities.” historically black colleges and universities and among the best Of the $98.7 million raised, $20,271,565 has gone to build in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report. the University’s endowment – offering students more financial “We have a culture of giving back on this campus – even aid support than ever before. The number of endowed among the students,” said Rev. Whittaker V. Middleton, vice scholarships at Claflin has doubled, from 100 to more than president of Institutional Advancement. “That’s one of the 200 scholarships offering support to deserving students. reasons we have the highest alumni giving among HBCUs. A Additionally, some $1,685,877 has gone to endow faculty chairs large number of our students are on some type of financial aid, and professorships to continue building a world-class faculty but they are taught that if someone has helped you, then you at the University. must help someone else.” Nearly $7,947,599 has gone to strengthen academic There have also been a number of tremendous gifts from programs by way of much-need technology upgrades both in businesses and individuals who are not a part of Claflin’s inner the classroom and throughout the campus. Claflin’s wireless family, including a $4.35 million gift from Sodexo Campus access and smart classrooms campus-wide make its learning Services – the corporation that provides integrated food and and living environment second-to-none. The University facilities management services for Claflin – to support student has also joined Internet2, providing its faculty and students scholarships, enhance facilities, and promote health and the opportunity to connect and share research with major wellness on campus. Also, famed financier, philanthropist and institutions, government entities and industry officials around South Carolina native Darla D. Moore donated $1,000,000 for the world. the University’s Department of Music through The Rainwater Two of the most significant changes to the physical plant Charitable Foundation. – Claflin’s new Molecular Science Research Center and the “We’re not asking for a handout– we’re asking people to James and Dorothy Z. Elmore Chapel – are products of the invest,” Middleton continued. “In this campaign we have capital campaign, as well. These additions were possible received 15 gifts of one million dollars or more compared to because of the $21,396,000 that has been donated for five in the last campaign. People want to invest in something upgrading facilities at the University. The MSRC has not only that is growing, that is multiplying, that is showing fruits, and been designated a core research facility by the South Carolina when they can see that in our students – in the way that they Research Authority, but it also houses a 700 megahertz NMR walk and their confidence, and the way that they talk – nuclear magnetic resonance – which, until recently, was the and the jobs that they’re getting – people don’t mind making only one of its kind in the state of South Carolina. the investment.” The work at Claflin University isn’t done. The completion of James Bennett, University trustee and chairman of the phase one simply segues into the campaign’s final stretch.