Tisdale to Deliver Mid-Winter Address
Dr. Henry N. Tisdale will deliver the keynote address during the Mid-Winter Banquet and Rally at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2010 in the Morris College Garrick-Boykin Human Development Center.
Dr. Tisdale— the eighth president and 1965 magna cum laude graduate of Claflin University— provides dynamic leadership to this progressive UNCF member institution. Elected to the presidency in 1994, he brings to the Office of President leadership that is experienced and energetic, well-rounded and broad-minded.
The trajectory of Dr. Tisdale’s educational pursuit and professional career, traced from his native home of Kingstree, South Carolina, opens a window for all to see the opportunities he took advantage of in preparing himself as an educator and administrator. From a classroom math teacher in the Philadelphia School System to Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at Delaware State University, Dover Delaware, they were roads that would eventually bring him back to an institution of higher learning, his alma mater, he now serves as president with honor, commitment, and distinction.
During his tenure as President of Claflin University, this high energy president has accomplished the following: committed to a vision of Claflin as one of the premier liberal arts institutions in the Southeast; moved the University to “TOP TIER” and “TOP TEN” rankings among comprehensive baccalaureate granting institutions in the South, according to U.S. News and World Report’s “Guidebook to America’s Best Colleges;” enhanced and increased enrollment approximately 70%; added a number of new academic majors to include Mass Communications, Digital Art, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, the Master of Science in Biotechnology, the Master of Business Administration and Master of Education in Educational Studies; achieved national accreditation for Business Administration, Teacher Education, Music and Chemistry; transformed the campus with the new Living and Learning Center, Legacy Plaza, award winning entrances, the Student Residential Center, the Music Center and expanded the campus through property acquisitions including the Russell Street Campus. Throughout the campus, numerous buildings have been totally renovated or restored. Construction of the new James and Dorothy Z. Elmore Chapel was completed in spring 2007.
Dr. Tisdale has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors. The 2008 CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) District III Chief Executive Leadership Award; the 2007 Milliken Medal of Quality Award; 2007 Bellsouth Honoree, I. DeQuincey Newman Humanitarian Award; the NAFEO (National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education) Distinguished Alumni Award; Who’s Who Among Black Americans; the NAACP Educator of the Year Award, and an Honorary Doctorate degree from South Carolina State University (2004) are but a few.
Over the years, Dr. Tisdale served on many Committees, Councils, Boards and Task Forces at both the state and national levels. Additionally, he has published and presented widely in areas of probability theory and issues in higher education.
He is president of the UNCF Council of Presidents and the University Senate of The United Methodist Church. He is a member of the UNCF Board of Directors; the Executive Council of the Commission on Colleges of SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools); the National Association of Schools and Colleges of The United Methodist Church; the Claflin University National Alumni Association; Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity; Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; the Orangeburg Rotary Club; the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, and Trinity United Methodist Church.
Henry N. Tisdale and his wife Alice Carson Tisdale are residents of Orangeburg, South Carolina. They have two children, Danica Camille (Emory University and Miss Georgia 2004) and Brandon Keith (Tennessee State University Graduate and employed by Monroe Harding Incorporated, Nashville, Tennessee.)
The public is cordially invited and the cost to attend is $45.00 per person. For additional information contact the Morris College Office of Institutional Advancement at 803-934-3260.