Claflin University New York Alumni Chapter
Honoring LEADERS OF EXCELLENCE
LEADERSHIP AN ACTION NOT A POSITION
Annual Scholarship Luncheon
Saturday, October 12, 2024
11:45AM
Villa Barone Manor
737 Throgs Neck Expy Bronx, NY 10465
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 Revised by Isaiah McGee, 2014
Welcome to Claflin University New York Alumni Annual Scholarship Luncheon. We sincerely appreciate your support of this event and we look forward to continuing our strong partnerships and alliances that will improve the quality of life for those who aspire to attend Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
As young men and women seek to embrace the future in a solid rock educational context, Claflin’s doors are open to assist them in preparing for an exciting and vibrant future. The New York Chapter, like other chapters around the country expends immeasurable energy in generating funds to support the University’s effort to provide partial scholarships to needy students. We are honored to be a part of such a historic tradition and equally as honored to have you share our vision.
Congratulations to our distinguished honorees: Reverend Stephen Green, Venice Fridie-Kendall, Reverend Norman Coleman, Nicole Finigan-Ndzibah, Ruby Cunningham-Johnson and Veronica Frazier-Howard.
We are so proud to be able to publicly acknowledge you for all you do so tirelessly to help others in your professional career.
Our luncheon is successful every year because of the hard work our Claflin University New York Alumni Chapter puts in every year. Special thanks to our co-chairs: Gertie Tippitt, George Alexander, Rose Anderson, Candis Bugg - President Emerita, Rev. Dr. Bronco W. Crooke, Henry Mack, Shirley Jefferson, and Laura White.
To everyone, thank you, have a wonderful afternoon and may God bless each of you as you continue your journey. Claflin University is better because of you!
Sincerely,
Trinidell White Thomas
Trinidell White-Thomas, ‘72 President and Co-Chair
Dear Fellow Alumni:
am delighted to welcome you to the Claflin University New York Alumni Chapter Annual Scholarship Luncheon. Because of your unwavering support, Claflin continues to reach new levels of excellence in academics, student success, and community engagement. As donors, your generosity has resulted in Claflin achieving a remarkable 40% alumni giving rate, ranking us No. 1 among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) according to U.S. News & World Report. This percentage also places Claflin among the national leaders in alumni giving across all colleges and universities. We sincerely thank you for playing such a vital role in helping the University reach this historic milestone.
As the Director of the Annual Fund and Alumni Relations, I encourage you to visit the Alumni NetCommunity webpage to create and update your profile, keeping connected with University activities and events. Equally important is the Claflin University website (www.claflin.edu), where you can make secure online contributions and register for upcoming University events. Sign up today at http://alumni.claflin.edu.We also encourage you to connect with us on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Stay up to date with the latest news by subscribing to the Claflin University e-newsletter just text CLAFLINU to 22828 to subscribe to @Claflin.
Your steadfast dedication and commitment to Claflin University are deeply appreciated. I look forward to working together to prepare the next generation of diverse, engaged visionary leaders with global perspectives.
Leal and loyal,
Zelda M. Lee, ’77 Director of the Annual Fund/Alumni Relations
Greetings, New York Alumni Chapter Members,
It is my deep honor and privilege, as the Acting Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Claflin University, to extend my highest regards and gratitude to each of you.
Your record of service and generosity is unmatched and helps to make the Claflin University International Alumni Association the envy of institutions of higher education nationwide. In word and deed, you live out Claflin’s values in ways that demonstrate the transformative magic that education and collegial partnerships bring to every situation. Confident. Creative. Caring. The New York Alumni Chapter is changing lives!
As we celebrate this year’s distinguished honorees, and enjoy fellowship years in the making, I am beyond thankful to be a part of the Claflin Family – a body that has extended grace to me in every possible way.
Thank you for centering your work where it will make the most difference – on need-based scholarships for deserving young scholars. When friends ask what the University’s greatest need is, I offer them two. We need scholarship support for deserving students, and we need engaged donors. Through your annual scholarship luncheon, you bring both!
Thank you so very much!
Best Regards,
Dear Alumni and Friends,
On behalf of the Claflin University Board of Trustees and the entire Claflin University community, First Lady Lakisha and our daughter Morgan, I offer congratulations to you on another remarkable year of
s six distinguished honorees, Kendall, Reverend Norman
Howard. Your examples inspire not only other alumni and friends, but our current students and future students as well.
s generous record of financial commitment to the University and her students, I want to share just two pieces of information that highlight the difference your support is making in your beloved Hilltop High campus. In the five years since I joined the Claflin family, the University s endowment has risen from $26.8M to $72.9M. As important as this figure is to the future health of the institution, I am even more pleased to report that our retention rate has increased from 70% in 2019 to 77% this year a figure that speaks directly to the brighter prospects of our students.
There are thousands of more personal stories, of course, the encouraging note from an alum to a student, the long, tight hugs between friends seeing each other at Homecoming, the tender moments between faculty and students or between students and staff members each propelling our community forward. Elevating and Transforming one life at a time, your good work is noticed and very much appreciated!
You are a blessing!
Sincerely,
Dwaun J. Warmack
Dwaun J. Warmack President
Programme
MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
Mrs. Felicia H. Crawford
The Occasion ........................................................................................................Gertie Tippitt, ‘69
Introduction of Mistress of Ceremony Henry L. Mack, ’60
Invocation and Blessing of the Food........................................
Reverend Dr. Bronco W. Crooke, ‘73
The Negro National Anthem ...............................................................................................Audience
Introduction of Chapter President President Felicia H. Crawford, ‘90
Words of Welcome ...............................................................
Trinidell White Thomas, ‘72, President
Introduction of Claflin University Representative Felicia Crawford
Mrs. Zelda Lee, Director of the Annual Fund and Alumni Relations
~HONOREES~
Reverend Stephen Green...............................................................Shirley Jefferson, ’70, Presenter
Venice Fridie-Kendall
Trinidell White Thomas, ’72, Presenter
Reverend Norman Coleman............................................................... Janie Newkirk, ’69, Presenter
MUSIC
~LUNCH IS SERVED~
Introduction of Claflin University Representative .....................................................Felicia Crawford
Ms. Barbara Chappell Acting Vice President
Claflin University Division of Institutional Advancement
~HONOREES~
Nicole Finigan-Ndzibah
Mary E. Murray, Presenter
Ruby Cunningham-Johnson............................................................................Etta White, Presenter
Veronica Frazier-Howard
Candis I. Bugg, President Emerita, ’59, Presenter
Scholarship Awards Presentation............................................................Rose Anderson, Presenter
Madison McDonald and Kymeek Douglas (Recipients)
ALMA MATER
Raffle Drawing George Alexander, Henry L. Mack, Rose Anderson
~Salad~
Caesar Salad w/Focaccia Crostini
~Entree~
Chicken Francese
Shrimp Scampi Oreganata
Broiled Salmon
Served with Fresh Vegetables and Potato Souffle
~Dessert~
Ceremonial Cake Coffee/Tea
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing
J. Rosamond Johnson 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 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 day that hope unborn had died. yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet, come to the place on 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 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 the hand, may we forever stand,
Claflin University New York Alumni Chapter Members
Trinidell White Thomas | President
Gertie Tippett | Vice President
Shirley Jefferson | Secretary
Laura White | Treasurer
Rose Anderson Financial Secretary and Social Coordinator
Reverend Dr. Bronco W. Crooke Chaplain
George Alexander | Parliamentarian
Henry Mack | Charter Member
Candis Bugg | Charter Member, President Emerita
Felicia H. Crawford
Carolyn Williamson Martin | Charter Member
Dr. Cassandra White
Janie Newkirk
John Young Regional Director