The School of Humanities and Social Sciences - Claflin University

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Newsletter
September / October 2007
Volume 7 No. 1
Dr. Peggy S. Ratliff
English professor and dean
Additionally, we welcome several
new faculty members to our
School and Claflin University,
and we look forward to working
with them. You can read
more about them in the section
on “New Faculty” in this newsletter,
as well as contributions
and accomplishments of our
Dr. Peggy Ratliff
other faculty, staff and students.
Please note the following important
dates for programs and other activities:
October 23, 2007 – Forum on Censorship,
Freedom and Responsibility in America sponsored
by Dr. Ronald Neal and the School of
Humanities and Social Sciences
October 25-26, 2007 – English Pedagogy
Conferences, featuring Playwright Judi Ann
Mason
October 26, 2007 – Senior Citizens Awareness
Appreciation Day
October 30, 2007 – Music Dialogue
November 9, 2007 – Humanities and Social
Sciences Festival and Student Poet Laureate
Contest
November 15, 2007 – The Rose Sculpture
Dedication Ceremony
October – November 2007 – “A Claflin
Homecoming: The Art of Leo Twiggs”
January 23, 2008 – Poetry Reading, featuring
Pulitzer Prize-winner Natasha Tretheway
I wish each and every one of you a very productive,
peaceful and joyful semester and academic year.
Claflin University
Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, President
We develop the whole person
Study abroad:
A stepping stone to global marketability
By Mrs. Ingrid Watson-Miller
In the 21
Mrs. Ingrid Miller
st century one term that has
affected every aspect of our lives is globalization.
When we think of globalization,
we think about increasing global
connectivity, integration and interdependence
of the United States with
other countries in the economic, social,
technological, cultural, political, and
ecological arenas. Claflin University is
cognizant of the importance of globalization
and, therefore, has as a part of its mission “to prepare
students for leadership and service in a global and
multicultural society.” Studying abroad is one of the avenues
that the University provides to help our students
achieve this goal.
It is imperative that we convince our students that they
must learn to compete with others, not only academically
but also through experiences. Paul Sandrock, president of
the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages,
states: “The world in which we live is connected
like never before. Proficiency and literacy to function in a
single language and culture is no longer sufficient. We all
need global literacies in layers of differing proficiency in
our native language and culture; in the cultures we study to
advanced levels of proficiency to use in our careers; and in
languages and cultures for global connections – those connections
we will make through travel, exploration of a family
heritage or for accessing resources and conducting research.”
(from The Language Educator 2006)
Exposure to and an understanding of other cultures helps
the student to think outside of his/her own culturally ethno-
See Study abroad, page 10

Page 2
The School of Humanities and
Social Sciences Newsletter
Dean
Dr. Peggy S. Ratliff
Compiler
Mandakini Hiremath
Editors
Linda R. Hill
Mandakini Hiremath
Design and Layout
Mandakini Hiremath
Special Thanks to
Dr. Peggy S. Ratliff, dean of the school
of Humanities and Social Sciences, for
giving me the opportunity to produce the
newsletter.
Ms. Linda R. Hill, assistant professor of
English, for agreeing to work with me
as an editor.
Members of the School and Department
Chairs for their contributions.
Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, president, and Dr.
George E. Miller, III, vice president for
academic affairs, for encouragement.
Finally, I sincerely appreciate all the
compliments of my administrators, coworkers,
students, and friends on the
previous issues of the newsletter and the
columns that are printed in The Times
and Democrat for a job well done. These
encouraging words are a source of motivation
to me.
The School publishes its newsletter
periodically; therefore, please
bring your stories to the compiler,
Mrs. Hiremath. I am in the Writing
Center, GTK, room # 228, ext.
5422. Your stories should be typed
using Microsoft word and saved on
floppy 3.5 diskettes.
You may e-mail attachments @
mhiremath@claflin.edu.
************************************
Humanities and Social Sciences Newsletter
Highlights from the Art
Department
By M. I. Hossain
digital design coordinator
The Department of Art has undertaken new leadership; Professor Habibur
Rahman has been promoted to interim chair and associate professor as we
start the new academic year 2007-2008. Congratulations to Prof. Rahman;
the Department would like to welcome two new full time faculty members,
Ms. Ariadne Albright and Mr. Terrance Robinson, to the Claflin family.
The Department had a busy and quite productive summer. With the tremendous
support of President Dr. Henry N. Tisdale; Dr. Zia Hasan, vice
president for planning, assessment and information services; Dr. George E.
Miller, III, vice president for academic affairs; and Dr. Peggy S. Ratliff,
dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the art department
was able to start the first phase toward NASAD accreditation. Prof. Dennis
Navrat (NASAD consultant) visited the art department as a consultant on
July 8-11, 2007. The Department is studying the consultant’s report thoroughly
and has begun the self study.
We are very pleased to announce that the Department of Art was awarded
a grant to renovate Laymen Hall. Currently, the art department is operating
from Corson Hall due to an unfortunate water leakage during the storm a
few weeks ago. Since then, the physical plant of the university has been
working diligently to prepare the art studios, classrooms and offices for
classes by the first week of October. We, the Department of Art, express
our utmost gratitude to President Henry N. Tisdale, other administrators,
the physical plant and every individual who has portrayed a caring attitude
during this crisis.
The art department is very excited about Dr. Leo Twiggs’ art show entitled
“A Claflin Homecoming: The Art of Leo Twiggs,” which will be
held from September 19, 2007, to November 19, 2007, in the Arthur Rose
Museum. To follow tradition and to show gratitude to the guest artist, Prof.
Habibur Rahman, with the assistance of Mr. M. Hossain, prepared the design
and layout for the postcard mailer, poster and catalogue for Dr. Twiggs’
show.
Finally, we would like to give a warm welcome to new students who
started a new journey and joined Claflin in their endeavor to become complete
human beings. And to those of our students who have been with us,
we would like to say that we are here to help you pursue your educational
dreams and best of luck towards your graduation.
Prof. Rahman would like to thank every member of the art department
for everything that we do. Welcome to 2007-2008 academic year.
All passes. Art alone enduring stays with us. The
Bust outlasts the throne -- The Coin Tiberius.
---Austin Dobson, Art Victrix

Page 3 Humanities and Social Sciences Newsletter
Department of English and Foreign Languages
By Dr. Donald Pace, Interin Chair
Dr. Corrie Claiborne
participated in two seminars/
conferences. She was part of a
team of four sent by Claflin
University to the Council of
Undergraduate Research at the
University of Michigan in May
2007 to investigate ways to
infuse research into our
curriculum across the campus.
Dr. Donald Pace She was also invited to
participate in the week-long
Institute for Community Scholars at Clemson University
(15-21 July 2007). She was one of 20 folklorists, dancers,
singers, artists, teachers, and craftsmen selected to attend
this workshop, which focused on how to engage in cultural
work in South Carolina. She participated in seminars on
documentary filmmaking, oral history writing, building
exhibitions, grant writing, and collaborating with state and
national sources to create exciting cultural products.
In April 2007, Mrs. Annette Grevious performed in an
original production with Hofstra Entertainment entitled
Fashion Statements! The production was performed on
Hofstra’s campus as part of the cultural conference
Defining Culture through Dress. She completed a faculty
exchange with Hofstra University in May and participated
in their commencement exercises as an honorary marshall.
That same month, she received a $3000 summer research
grant from Claflin’s Center for Excellence to conduct
research on a project entitled The Black and White of
Acting Pedagogy, which explores the similarities and
differences between teaching acting to culturally diverse
students at a HBCU versus a majority institution. In June
and July, she worked with Upward Bound’s Summer
Program as a dance instructor and received the honor of
Most Outstanding Fine Arts Teacher. In August, she
received notification that her proposal to present her
summer research at the 2008 Southeastern Theatre
Conference, a nationally recognized conference, has been
accepted.
During the spring 2007 semester, Dr. Peggy S. Ratliff
and Ms. Linda Hill—the co-authors and co-directors of
Claflin’s UNCF/Mellon Foundation Faculty Career
Enhancement Program, funded in the amount of $90,000
over a three-year period—completed the third year of
orientation sessions for new faculty members in the School
of Humanities and Social Sciences. They also co-directed
the mentoring program during the same semester. This
component of the Claflin University UNCF/Mellon
Foundation Faculty Career Enhancement Program served
junior humanities and social sciences faculty. This past
summer, these two veteran Claflin professors completed
activities funded by the grant by co-directing the third
summer seminar for junior faculty members in the School
of Humanities and Social Sciences. Seminar participants
learned to use Blackboard as a tool to enhance their
teaching. On August 17, 2007, these two faculty members
were in charge of a day-long session of orientation
activities for faculty members new to Claflin University
for the 2007-2008 academic year.
In August 2007, Dr. Donald Gene Pace, who has
earned the Ph.D. in both history and Spanish, was named
interim chair of the Department of English and Foreign
Languages. This appointment follows his service for three
years as chair of the Department of History and Sociology.
In 2007, he published “The Confessant of La Mancha:
Don Quixote’s Personal and National Pilgrimage” as a
chapter in Framing the Quixote: 1605-2005, ed. Alvin
F. Sherman, Jr. (Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University
Department of Spanish and Portuguese, 2007): 103-17.
On 20 April 2007, he presented a paper entitled “Lope’s
Attack on Medieval Military Tradition: Fuente Ovejuna,
Calatrava and Monarchy” at the Kentucky Foreign
Language Conference in Lexington, Kentucky. On 25 April
2007, he presented “Every man’s need, but not every
man’s greed”: The Gandhian Vision and Indian Economic
Development” in Providence, Rhode Island, at the annual
meeting of the Economic and Business Historical Society.
His article “‘Es de Lope”: The Drama of Confession and
Fuente Ovejuna” is scheduled to be published in 2008
in the Bulletin of the Comediantes (vol. 60, no. 1). He
continues to serve as associate editor of Essays in
Economic and Business History.
Recently, Dr. Pace and three other Claflin University
faculty members—Dr. Omar Bagasra, Dr. Harpal Grewal,
and Dr. Peggy Ratliff—completed a UNCF Special
Programs grant that enabled the Claflin team to travel to
India to train others in how to prevent HIV/AIDS. The
Claflin University team that traveled to India to enlist the
assistance of the higher education community in the fight
See English and Foreign Languages, page 12

Page 4
Goodbye, hello, and welcome
The ending of one academic year and the beginning of
the next are usually filled with mixed feelings. The months
of May and June are usually sad because we miss our
colleagues. A few retire to say goodbye to tension and hello
to pension and earn the freedom of pursuing their dreams
on their own free will, not because the clock is ticking,
appointments are approaching, commitments are to be kept,
and deadlines are to be met. Others leave to further their
studies, to search for new “cheese” or to be close to their
families and more convenient locations for other concerns.
Wishing them the best, we say goodbye to them. However,
the saga continues. The academy moves on with her vision
and charted plans, accordingly.
The beginning of each academic year is filled with new
aspirations, promises and challenges. It’s time for each one
to adjust and prepare to fulfill God-given potential. We are
delighted to welcome the following members to the School
of Humanities and Social Sciences and look forward to
working together to accomplish Claflin University’s mission.
Ms. Ariadne (Ari) Albright joins us as an assistant
professor of art. She is a graduate
of the University of Washington with
a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in
printmaking. Influenced by her
foundation instruction in Seattle from
the esteemed Jacob Lawrence,
Albright has been a working studio
artist since 1988. Her exhibition
history and commissions include
Ms. Ariadne Albright collections in WA, TX, CO, SD,
NY, MN, NE and CA.
Ms. Albright earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in
painting at the University of South Dakota. Awards include
USD Dean’s Award in 2003 and 2004, and the South
Dakota Arts Council has awarded her an Emerging Artist
Grant and The Visual Artist Grant and, in 2007, added her
to the three-year roster of SDAC Artists in the Schools
and Communities. Her regional exhibitions include the South
Dakota Art Museum, Dahl Fine Arts Center and South
Dakota School of Mines and Technology’ s Apex Gallery.
When asked why she chose Claflin and what she plans
to accomplish, Ms. Albright answered, “I became aware
of this position at Claflin University last summer when my
former USD professor returned from a consultative visit to
CU’s art department. She asserted a match between my
background in the arts, multiculturalism and academia and
Humanities and Social Sciences Newsletter
By Mandakini Hiremath
the current needs of the art department. After I met with
and heard the shared goals of Professor Rahman, interim
chair, Dr. Ratliff, dean, Prof. Keith, Mr. Hossain, Ms. Rose
and Prof. Howard, my decision to move to Orangeburg
was enthusiastically based on the opportunity for massive
contributions at this institution of higher learning.”
After saying, “I am committed to providing students with
safe, dynamic learning environments in studio arts, design
and art appreciation courses,” Ms. Albright mentioned her
three-fold plan: “First, to participate in the artistic and
intellectual growth of the students. Second, grant writing
to support the short-term studio needs and the long-term
development of CU’s art department and third, time in my
painting studio to interpret the arts, history and landscapes
of this region. The change of climate from the high plains
of the Dakotas, to the low country of the South Carolina
is a welcome adventure for my family and me.”
Dr. Christopher M. Curtis joins us as interim chair
of the history and sociology
department. He earned his Ph.D. in
history in 2002 from Emory University,
M.A. in history in 1997 from Virginia
Tech, teacher’s certificate from
Lynchburg College in 1995, and B.A.
in history in 1986 from the University
of South Carolina.
Dr. C. Curtis
When asked about his current
research projects, Dr. Curtis
responded, “I have two books forthcoming: Jefferson’s
Chosen People: Freeholders, Law Reform, and the
Politics of Ownership in the Old Dominion, 1776-1860
and The Underground Railroad, Greenwood Guide to
Historic Events, 1500-1900, Greenwood Press.
My article “A Botch of a Plan: Reconsidering Suffrage
Reform in the 1829-1830 Virginia Constitutional
Convention,” will appear in the February 2008 issue of
the Journal of Southern History.”
Dr. Curtis served as an assistant professor of history at
Iowa State University, 2003-2007; as director of graduate
education, Department of History, Iowa State University,
2004-2006; and as deputy director, Center for Agricultural
History, 2004 – 2007. Prior to that, he was a visiting
assistant professor at the University of West Georgia,
2002-2003. He taught high school for three years before
See Hello and welcome, page 5

Page 5
going to graduate school and spent nearly six years as an
infantry officer in the United State Marine Corps.
When asked why he chose Claflin and what he plans to
accomplish, Dr. Curtis answered, “Coming to Claflin signals
our return home to South Carolina. My wife, Karen, is
from Chapin, South Carolina, and presently serves as the
district manager for the Social Security Administration in
Orangeburg. We have three kids: Lara, Thomas, and
William, and a nine-month-old grandson, Michael.” He
added, “In response to what I wish to accomplish here, I
can think only of the immortal words of Nuke Lalouche
(Bull Durham) – ‘I’m just trying to help the ball team.’”
Dr. Sharynn Owens Etheridge-Logan joins us from
Tennessee State University,
Nashville, Tennessee, as an
assistant professor in the
Department of English and Foreign
Languages. She earned her Ph.D.
in education from the University of
Tennessee, Knoxville (Dissertation:
“Portfolio-Based Writing
Dr. Sharynn Etheridge
Assessment: An Investigation of
Postsecondary Practices”), M. A.
in English from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
(Thesis: “Langston Hughes: A Critical Bibliography, 1977-
1986”), M.A. in history from Emory University, Atlanta,
Georgia (Thesis: “English Jacobitism During the Reign of
William III: An Investigation of the Jacobite Movement,
1688-1697”), and B.A. in history with honors from
Knoxville College, Knoxville, Tennessee.
Conversing about her past academic activities, Dr.
Etheridge said that she has presented research at major
conferences (Modern Language Association, College
Language Association, National Council of Teachers of
English, and Conference on College Composition, and
Communication) on portfolio-based writing and African
American literature. In addition, she is secretary-treasurer
of the Langston Hughes Society, which meets concurrently
with the College Language Association.
When asked why she chose Claflin and what she plans
to accomplish, Dr. Etheridge answered, “I chose a small
church-related liberal arts institution because the
environment will afford me the opportunity to work oneon-one
with students and empower them with the critical
thinking skills needed for success in the twenty-first
century.” And then she added, “I am very passionate about
teaching and working with students in a small group setting,
Hello and welcome - continues from page 4
Humanities and Social Sciences Newsletter
as I have stated previously. Moreover, I plan to do research
and writing for publication within the next three years.”
Dr. Gaynell Gavin joins us from Nebraska as an
assistant professor in the Department
of English and Foreign Languages. She
earn her Ph.D. from the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL); M.A. from
Southern Illinois University at
Carbondale; and J.D. from
Washington University.
Talking about her past academic
activities, Dr. Gavin said, “My review
Dr. Gaynell Gavin
of Sue Silverman’s book
Hieroglyphics in Neon appears in the
most recent issue of Prairie Schooner. My essay
“Choosing” is included in the anthology Risk, Courage,
and Women, which was published in hardcover and
paperback last month by the University of North Texas
Press. No royalties are paid on any of the writing in the
book so that net proceeds from book sales can go to
provide breast cancer treatment to uninsured women. The
anthology has a nice combination of genres and writers,
including some “big names” (of which, alas, mine is not
one), such as Maya Angelou.” After a pause and smile, she
added, “Two poems, “Identification” and “Military Secrets,”
are included in the anthology Nebraska Presence, published
earlier this month by Backwaters Press. My essay
“Leavings” is forthcoming in the fall 2007 issue of North
Dakota Quarterly. Other forthcoming essays include
“Sleeping on the Perimeter” (Bellevue Literary Review
Anthology) and “What We Have” (Prairie Schooner); I
am unsure when these two will be published. “Sundays,” a
poem, is forthcoming in the fall 2007 West Wind Review.”
When asked why she chose Claflin and what she plans
to accomplish, Dr. Gavin answered, “I was browsing
through the Chronicle of Higher Education over the
summer, saw an ad for a lit. and comp. faculty position,
had begun missing being in the classroom teaching, and
(somewhat impulsively) applied for the position. I was
impressed with the information on Claflin’s web site,
especially ClafIin’s venerable history as the first postsecondary
institution in SC to admit any qualified applicant
regardless of race or gender. I was impressed further during
my phone and personal interviews, especially by the
emphasis placed on academics (not parties or sports) as
See Hello and welcome, page 6

Page 6
the primary reason that students are here,” and then she
added, “I am working to develop support for students
interested in law school, and I really enjoy teaching literature
and writing classes.”
Ms. Melissa Pearson joins us as an assistant
professor of English. She joins us
from Chicago, Illinois, where she
taught at a two-year institution as
well as other HBCUs in the state.
She received her B.A. in English/
communications from the
University of Illinois, Urbana-
Champaign (1997) and M.A. in
English with specialization in
Ms. Melissa Pearson
Hello and welcome - continues from page 5
writing studies from UIUC as well
(2000). She is currently pursing a
Ph.D. in English, rhetoric and
composition with a specialization in African American
rhetoric from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
“My research interests are in writing instruction at HBCUs,
which led me to Claflin University,” says Ms. Pearson.
Mentioning her past academic activities, Ms. Pearson
said, “I have researched in the areas of service learning,
African American canonicity, African American Southern
identity, African American popular culture and rhetoric, and
trends in teaching and learning composition in the Historically
Black College and University and the impact of social and
cultural change on the learning environment. My intention is
to continue to build upon these kinds of academic trends in
the JJ Wright Institute while assisting Claflin University in its
growth towards its goals of being competitive and attractive
to future scholars.”
Ms. Pearson is also the executive director of the South
Carolina Council for African American Studies (SCCAAS),
where she provides leadership in professional development
to assist teachers with the incorporation of African American
history in all disciplines, K-12.
When asked why she chose Claflin and what she plans
to accomplish, Ms. Pearson answered, “I am impressed
by the collegiate environment at Claflin and the total college
commitment to academic excellence. I look forward to a
productive and challenging academic career here at Claflin.”
Mr. Terrance Robinson joins us from Augusta, Georgia,
as an assistant professor of art. Before coming to Claflin,
he served at Paine College, Augusta, Georgia. He earned
Mr. T. Robinson
Humanities and Social Sciences Newsletter
his M.F.A. from the University
of Nebraska in 2000 and B.A.
from Mississippi Valley State
University in 1997.
He said his past academic
activities include working with
student organizations,
departmental functions and
faculty committees.
When asked why he chose
Claflin and what he plans to
accomplish, Mr. Robinson answered, “I heard of the Claflin
University experience through individuals that attended
South Carolina State University; additionally, they
mentioned the rich legacy of Claflin University.” And then
he added, “I plan to do my best at instructing and
participating in academic activities that enrich student
leadership and enhance the Department of Art as a team
player and leader.”
Dr. Susan S. Till joins us as an assistant professor in
the Department of English and
Foreign Languages. She earned her
B.A. in English, University of
Georgia, M.A. in English, Idaho State
University, M.Ed. in education,
Georgia State University, and Ph.D.
in education, University of South
Carolina.
Prior to joining us, Dr. Till worked
Dr. Susan S. Till
at the University of South Carolina/
Orangeburg Consolidated School
District 5. After serving as a chair of
the English department at Orangeburg Wilkinson High
School and later as federal programs director, she retired
from OCSD5. She completed her doctoral work at USC
in May 2007. Her area of scholarship is language and
literacy with a particular interest in discourse analysis. Her
most recent publication will appear in the October/
November 2007 issue of Reading Today. The title is “The
Closed Circle: Resegregation in Orangeburg, SC.”
When asked why she chose Claflin and what she plans
to accomplish, Dr. Till answered, “Claflin University has
outstanding academic programs and research opportunities.
It is a privilege to be part of such a prestigious institution,
See Hello and welcome, page 7

Page 7
and I am looking forward to becoming a contributing
member of the Claflin family.” She added, “My first and
foremost commitment is to the students I teach. In addition,
I will continue research on discourse analysis in teaching
and learning in English courses. I plan to publish articles
relating to this area.”
Ms. Clarissa J. Williams joins us as an instructor of
Spanish in the Department of
English and Foreign Languages.
She earned her M.A. from
Howard University, Washington,
DC, B.A. from Winston-Salem
State University, Winston-Salem,
NC, and has completed extensive
coursework at the following
universities: Middlebury College
Intensive Total Immersion
Language Programs: German and
Ms. Clarissa J. Williams
Hello and welcome - continues from page 6
Spanish (Middlebury, VT), El
Tecnológico de Monterrey
(Querétaro, México) and Academia Latinoamericana de
Español (Quito, Ecuador). Prior to joining Claflin University
Ms. Williams taught at Howard University, part-time
Spanish instructor; Trinity University, part-time Spanish
instructor, Upward Bound Program, Spanish teacher;
Metropolitan Tutoring Academy, Spanish tutor; and
Essential Expressions, founder
Ms. Williams made presentations at the Mid-Atlantic
Conference on Latin American Studies (MACLAS) and
Latin American Studies Association (LASA); in addition,
she made presentations at Howard University’s Annual
Modern Languages and Literature Conference and
defended her master’s thesis: Más allá de la música:
mensajes sociopolíticos y socioeconómicos en la música
salsa
In regard to professional development, Ms. Williams
mentioned that she was a program director, on-air
personality at the Middlebury College radio station, member,
La Pluma Inteligente, and president (2005-2006) and
member, Sigma Delta Pi National Honorary Spanish
Language Society
Ms. Williams has received various certificates
acknowledging participation in various conferences
throughout the DC area. She was finalist in the Fulbright
Program.
When asked why she chose Claflin and what she plans
to accomplish, Ms. Williams answered, “When pursuing
Humanities and Social Sciences Newsletter
my undergraduate studies, I chose to attend a smaller
university. I felt that a smaller school was a better choice
for me and would present fewer distractions than a bigger
school in a larger city. The atmosphere at Winston-Salem
State University was very close-knit, like a family away
from home. I thrived in school and built lasting relationships
with my professors. I chose to work at Claflin for the
same reasons. I wanted the opportunity to interact closely
with my students and colleagues, maintaining a supportive
environment that is more commonly found among smaller
universities. I also felt that there was more opportunity for
me to grow professionally at Claflin.” She added, “My
future plans at Claflin University are to motivate and
encourage my students to take an interest in Spanish
language and culture and assist the Foreign Language Club
and to implement new courses/programs designed for
Spanish majors/minors, establish connections between the
Spanish-speaking community and Claflin students with an
interest in Spanish and participate in workshops/seminars/
classes that will further develop my skills as an instructor
of foreign language.”
Dr. Ineatha Williams joins us as a visiting assistant
professor of English. She earned
her doctorate in educational
administration at Nova
Southeastern University, Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, and M.Ed.
and B.A. degrees in English
education from South Carolina
State University. She completed
additional studies at the
University of South Carolina.
Dr. I. Williams
Before joining us, she
worked in various professional
capacities in the public schools
of South Carolina and in higher education at South
Carolina State University. Her professional experience
spans thirty-seven (37) years. Dr. Williams has experience
as a middle school and high school English teacher, an
assistant professor of English, secondary assistant
principal, elementary school principal, curriculum
coordinator, staff development specialist, supervisor of
student teachers, and an elementary media specialist.
In 1993, she was selected as one of the first participants
in the South Carolina Department of Education’s
See Hello and welcome, page 8

Page 8
Internship Program for Principals. Principals selected as
interns are technically on loan for one year from their district
boards of education to the Education Department’s Office
of Professional Development.
When asked why she chose Claflin and what she plans
to accomplish, Dr. Williams answered, “Claflin University
affords me the opportunity to associate with scholars and
to assist young people in their educational development. I
plan to give my students adequate support so that they
will become confident and competent writers.” Dr.
Williams is a native of Orangeburg and a member of Holy
Trinity Catholic Church.
Dr. Julian Williams, a native of Orangeburg, joins
us as an associate professor in the
Department of Mass
Communications. Before joining
Claflin University, he taught at the
University of Florida for 14 years.
Dr. Williams received his Ph.D.
from Indiana University in 1999.
His research interest, he mentions,
is in the area of media and the civil
Dr. J. Williams
rights movement.
Mr. Cedric Rembert, assistant professor of
speech and drama, recently performed onstage at
the Bluebird Theatre with the Orangeburg Part-Time
Players in the comedy production Social Security.
This play is the story of a well-to-do married couple
who work as art dealers enjoying their upper-class
lifestyle when all of a sudden a mother-in-law with a
bad attitude moves in and disrupts “the flow.” The
play was originally staged on Broadway in the mid-
1980s. It opened here in Orangeburg to outstanding
reviews and packed audiences nightly. The play,
which featured Professor Rembert in the lead role,
was the second-highest grossing non-musical in the
history of the Orange Part-Time Players. Also
featured in the juicy role of the mother was another
member of the Claflin Family from the Department
of Human Resources, Mrs. Ellen Easterlin.
Hello and welcome - continues from page 7
Social Security,
Professor Rembert in the lead role
Humanities and Social Sciences Newsletter
Dr. Williams’ professional experience includes work
as a news reporter and producer at television stations in
South Carolina and Georgia.
When asked why he chose Claflin and what he plans
to accomplish, Dr. Williams answered, “I chose Claflin
largely because of a conversation that I had with a friend
of mine at a conference in San Antonio. He was a Claflin
graduate who was studying for a Ph.D. at Penn State
University. He was very excited about the high quality of
education at Claflin and told me that I would see it as a
school that was ‘going places.’ I have since heard glowing
reports about the institution. I am delighted to be a part of
the Claflin family.” He added, “As for what I plan to
accomplish at Claflin, my goal is to achieve excellence in
teaching and research.”
Dr. Williams was elected to the Board of Directors at
the American Journalism Historians Association
convention, October 10-14 in Richmond, Virginia. He
was also moderator of a panel discussion entitled
“Revolution.”
Mr. Cedric Rembert and Mrs. Ellen Easterlin in Social Security

Page 9
By Dr. Christopher Curtis, Interim Chair
Department of History and Sociology
It is with a real sense of excitement that I take over as
chair of the Department of History and Sociology. As most
of you know, Dr. Pace has moved on to take over the
leadership of the Department of English and Foreign
Languages. He leaves this department in tremendous shape,
poised for further growth and committed to fostering a
standard of professional excellence. He was involved in an
array of projects during his time here as chair. Most notably,
he supervised a comprehensive revision of the sociology
curriculum and designed a major program in criminal justice,
which will be presented to the Board of Trustees at their
October meeting. On behalf of the faculty and students of
the Department, I want to extend our sincere gratitude for
his time and efforts and wish him the best of luck in his new
office.
Our department remains one of Claflin’s largest
departments with more than 175 students majoring in either
history or sociology. This semester, our ten full-time and two
adjunct faculty members are teaching a full-time equivalent
of approximately 1150 students in fifty-five courses across a
curriculum that includes political science, gerontology, criminal
justice, and psychology in addition to history and sociology.
Last May, the University awarded 87 Bachelor’s of Arts
degrees in sociology and 3 in history to students from our
department. Five students graduated with honors.
As already noted, the Department has completed an
extensive curriculum revision of the sociology major,
simultaneously making it more structured while affording
students more course choices in designing their individual
programs of study. The new curriculum was implemented
this semester and features four new course offerings on
globalization, terrorism, alcohol and drugs, and a special topics
course, Sociology of the Law. Other new courses pertaining
to the sociologies of deviance, violence, sexuality, and gender
will be offered in upcoming semesters. This curriculum revision
of the sociology major fosters academic equivalency with
similar major programs at peer academic institutions in
anticipation of the accreditation process and with a view
toward our assessment procedures. This fall we are
undergoing a similar revision of the history curriculum and
hope to expand the number of course offerings in political
science and psychology as well. A new assistant professor in
criminal justice will come on board in January, and we are
conducting two national searches for positions beginning next
fall.
Humanities and Social Sciences Newsletter
Also in the works is a collaborative project with the
Jonathan Jasper Wright Institute to avail ourselves of the
plethora of presidential candidates visiting South Carolina
this fall. A special seminar, “Contemporary Issues in
American Politics,” is being organized. It seeks to establish
a dialogue between Claflin students and America’s political
leaders about significant issues concerning American
government and the political process. Look for more
information on the seminar in upcoming weeks.
Our students continue to excel and earn scholarly
accolades. As a group, they are characterized by their
remarkable desire to give something back to the community
and their commitment to social justice. Our graduating
seniors have received job offers from the Social Security
Administration, the South Carolina Department of Social
Services, and the South Carolina Department of Probation,
Parole, and Pardon Services. Others have found jobs in
academic administration, the military, law enforcement, and
the private sector. For some, their Claflin degree served as
a gateway into graduate school. In the past year, our
graduates have been accepted into Carnegie Research-One
programs at the University of South Carolina and the
University of Georgia as well as advanced degree programs
at South Carolina State University, Tufts University, Georgia
Southern, Winthrop, Clark Atlanta, Savannah State, The
Citadel, Francis Marion, and Webster University. They are
working toward graduate degrees in social work, speech
pathology, rehabilitation counseling, psychology, criminal
justice, educational counseling, and museum and archival
management.
Our current students are also engaged in an impressive
host of activities. During the summer, Jelissa Conway
(sociology) attended a summer research program at
Howard University. A number of current seniors are
preparing to take the GRE and LSAT in anticipation of
applying to graduate schools and law schools during the
hectic days of November and December. Finding
internships also occupies much of their extracurricular time.
Crystal Chambers (sociology) has earned a paid internship
at the Methodist Oaks retirement home, and four other
sociology students will be completing an internship program
there this fall as well. Most notably, Dominique Nesbitt
(sociology) received the first endowed scholarship from
See History and Sociology, page 10

Page 10
History and Sociology - continues from page 9
the Methodist Oaks, an award of $10,000 that was
presented during the Matriculation Day ceremonies.
The Department’s faculty continues in its mission to
deliver enthusiastic and top-quality instruction to Claflin
students. Using available technology and old-fashioned
personal interaction, our faculty articulates the University’s
standard for academic excellence on a daily basis, not only
in their classrooms but also in performing their responsibilities
as advisors and mentors. Committed to the idea that
effective teaching is a direct consequence of the active
learning that occurs through scholarly inquiry, most of our
faculty members are engaged in an active research agenda
of their own as well. This summer, Dr. Jackie Booker
participated as a National Endowment for the Humanities
Fellow in a faculty institute on “African American History
as Public History.” Mr. Adam Biggs (history) is currently
on leave while holding a distinguished UNCF/Mellon Faculty
Dissertation Fellowship in order to complete his doctoral
dissertation on the development of the African American
professional medical community. Since last spring, three
professors from the Department have published essays or
articles:
Dr. Booker (history) published three essays on sundry
topics concerning abolition and manumission laws in the
West Indies in The Encyclopedia of Emancipation and
Abolition in the Trans-Atlantic World.
Study abroad -- continues from frontpage
centric box while observing cultural activities from another
culture’s point of view and developing a different
perspective of his/her own.
Over the last ten years, students from Claflin University
have traveled to many countries to obtain an international
understanding of their respective fields. Claflinites
have sojourned to England, Japan, Australia, Ireland,
Kenya, Guatemala and Turkey to observe first-hand scientific
activities, business practices and education policies.
This semester two students are studying in Ireland,
while two others are in Kenya.
If you wish to learn more about our Study Abroad options,
contact Mrs. Ingrid Watson-Miller at #5706.
Humanities and Social Sciences Newsletter
Dr. Mackinem, (sociology) published the article “Tell
Me about the Test: The Construction of Truth and Lies in
Drug Court” in the June issue of the Journal of
Contemporary Ethnography. Dr. Mackinem also has four
books that are currently in press or under contract. His book
Thinking About Deviance, 2d edition, is being published
by Rowan and Littlefield and is due out soon after the new
year.
Dr. Curtis (chair, history) contributed a chapter entitled
“Conflict between Abolitionist and Proslavery Forces” for
the Conflicts in American History Series volume on the
Civil War and Reconstruction. He also has an article
forthcoming in the February 2008 issue of the Journal of
Southern History; it examines the peculiarities of nineteenthcentury
democratic political reforms in slaveholding Virginia.
Department faculty members are also eagerly engaged
in pursuing external grants. Last spring, Mrs. Schiria Wilson
(sociology/criminal justice) was awarded a grant of ten
personal computers and thirty laptop computers from the
federal government’s Technology for the Humanities
program. Dr. Solomon Selvam (sociology) has two grant
applications pending concerning studies of globalization with
the Southern Regional Education Board and with the
National Geographic Society, while Dr. Mackinem
(sociology) and Ms. Anisah Bagasra (psychology) are
working up a collaborative project that will investigate public
health issues at HBCUs.
“God... has formed us as moral agents... that
we may promote the happiness of those with
whom He has placed us in society, by acting
honestly towards all, benevolently to
those who fall within our way, respecting
sacredly their rights, bodily and mentally,
and cherishing especially their freedom of
conscience, as we value our own.”
—Thomas Jefferson to Miles King, 1814. ME
14:197

Page 11
By Dr. Richard House, interim chair
Dr. Richard House
Humanities and Social Sciences Newsletter
Music Department faculty activities
The Claflin University
Concert choir released the CD
Hehlehlooyuh: A Joyful
Expression from the live
recording of their Spring 2007
concert. The CD can be
purchased for $15 and is part
of a fundraiser for a
performance trip to China in
June 2008. Contact Dr. Isaiah
McGee for further information.
May 2007 music graduates are achieving beyond
Claflin’s campus. Joseff Goodwin has begun working on
a master’s degree in music theater at NYU. Travis
Wharton is the band director at College Park Middle
School in Ladson, SC. Faith Jones and Aaron McAfee
are teaching general music at Denmark and Cross
Elementary School, respectively.
After one year as associate professor of music at
Claflin, Dr. Richard House has been appointed as interim
chair of the Department of Music. He continues his duties
as director of university bands and teaches applied
trumpet. A professional trumpeter, Dr. House performed
on several trumpet ensemble selections at the International
Trumpet Guild Conference on May 31, 2007. He was
selected as one of 50 trumpet players from around the
world to perform in the Festival of Trumpets concert. The
ITG conference was held at UMASS-Amherst and was
attended by over 1,500 trumpeters from five continents.
Dr. Meisha Adderley, assistant professor of music,
received a Claflin University Faculty
Summer Research Grant for 2007
entitled “Shared Legacies: Music
of the Indian and African
Diasporas.” For a component of
the grant, Dr. Adderley researched
the music of the Plains Indians at a
Chiefs’ Powwow in Lame Deer,
Montana. Her Plains Indian field
Dr. Meisha Adderley
recordings were used in a
comparative analysis of those of
Indians in the southeastern region
who were known to have blended customs with black
slaves. She also completed a commercial solo piano CD
recording with GEM Records, funded in part by a
generous award from the John and Susan Bennett
Memorial Arts Fund, a subsidiary of the Coastal
Community Foundation of South Carolina, the South
Carolina Arts Commission, which receives funding from
the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Orangeburg
County Fine Arts Center.
Dr. Isaiah McGee, assistant professor of music and
director of university choirs,
completed his Ph.D. in music
education with an emphasis in
choral conducting from Florida
State University in September
2007. His dissertation was
entitled “Origin and Historical
Dr. Isaiah McGee
Development of Prominent
Professional Black Choirs in the
United States.”
Dr. Allen Molineux, composer and professor of
music, has an increased teaching
load of music theory classes this
year. This past May, doctoral
student Aaron Muller, the
University of Maryland, performed
Dr. Molineux’s “Sonata in Two
Movements for Trumpet and
Piano” in one of his recitals as part
of his dissertation entitled
“Consolidation, Revolution and
Reflection: Music for Trumpet
Dr. A. W. Molineux
from Three Decades, 1950’s,
1970’s and 1990’s.” Then in mid-
August a fairly new creation of his,
entitled “Truncated Trio for Flute and Two Violins,” was
presented as part of the 5 th Annual Festival of
Claflin Wind Ensemble – Matriculation Day, Sept. 6, 2007
See Music Department, page 12

Page 12
English and Foreign Languages -- continues from page 3
against HIV/AIDS is currently seeking grant money from
other funding agencies in order to continue their work.
They also plan to continue writing their book on HIV/
AIDS in India.
Dr. Mitali Wong, professor of English, presented a
community guest lecture at the International Studies
Colloquium at Illinois State University, Bloomington, Illinois,
on 26 September 2007. The title of her slide show and
lecture was “Resolving Differences: The Fiction of South
Asians in North America and the Caribbean.”
The Claflin University Theatre Ensemble’s Touring
Company completed its tour, performing for approximately
2,500 elementary students throughout Orangeburg and the
surrounding area. The touring company consists of six
Claflin students with varying majors. They performed
African Tales, two African stories brought to life through
performance, dance, and song
Two Claflin University English majors, Donna
Akuamoah and Kida Salley, completed an internship with
Contemporary Music sponsored by the New Music
Forum. The performance was held at Trinity Chapel,
located in Berkeley, California. And finally, Dr. Molineux’s
recently published work “Eleven Etudes of Expression
for Tuba” was reviewed in the summer 2007 issue of the
International Tuba Euphonium Association’s journal. The
reviewer, Tim Olt from Bowling Green State University,
stated that Molineux’s “harmonic language is interesting
at times, testing the performer’s aural skills” and that
“these etudes will serve as a very accessible and useful
introduction to extended techniques for younger players.”
He concluded that “the etudes are valuable and that [he]
will be incorporating them into [his] teaching.”
The Claflin web site will include many new additions
from the music department, including a current
performance schedule, ensemble photos, and
downloadable sound files from recent choir and band
concerts.
In addition to the normal performance schedule of
evening concerts for the Claflin Wind Ensemble and Jazz
Ensemble, the Claflin Chamber Winds, Saxophone
Quintet, and Jazz Combo are touring area high schools in
Music Department -- continues from page 11
Humanities and Social Sciences Newsletter
the United Nations. Claflin alumna Jamie Butler (’06),
who minored in theatre, completed a tour with Missoula
Children’s Theatre Company in Montana. She toured the
United States, acting, directing, and teaching youth ages
4-19. The company was extremely pleased with her work
and has extended an open invitation to come back and tour
with them at any time. Her pleasurable experiences with
the company and working with the children has inspired
her to attend graduate school to pursue an M.A. in
teaching so that she may become an elementary school
teacher. She plans to continue acting and to attend the
University of South Carolina in the spring of 2008.
We, the members of the department of English and
Foreign Languages, welcome Dr. Sharynn Owens
Etheridge-Logan, Dr. Gaynell Gavin, Ms. Melissa
Pearson, Dr. Susan Till, Ms. Clarissa Williams, and Dr.
Ineatha Williams, who are more fully presented in “Hello
and welcome” .
Charleston and Columbia, SC, in October. Concert dates
and locations will soon be found on the claflin.edu web
site.
The Claflin Choir has begun a campaign to perform in
Beijing, China, from June 9 – 19, 2008. The trip will
feature Claflin Choir performances as well as
collaborations with the USC choir as part of pre-Olympic
choral ceremonies.
Claflin University Concert Choir – September 2007

Page 13
Humanities and Social Sciences Newsletter
Prof. Howard designs for Mt. Zion Baptist Church
By Mr. Damond Howard
By Mandakini Hiremath
Mr. Damond Howard, an assistant
professor of art at Claflin,
drafted thematic, colored
sketches for the five glass windows
in the front of New Mt. Zion
Baptist Church’s new building,
which is being built across the railroad
tracks from Claflin. Mr.
Howard is a member of the
church, and his sketches were
translated into the design for the
windows, which will be installed
as the building nears completion
by the end of this year.
How to succeed with style and grace
Here are a few words of advice for our students on
how to succeed with style and grace.
Sit in the front of the classroom. This will help
you to focus your attention and to develop a positive
attitude toward your education.
Read your assignments before going to class.
By doing so, you will be prepared to answer questions
and will know what the professor is talking
about.
Take notes. Always try to make sense of what
your professor says. While taking notes, do not
use abbreviations that you will forget later. Also,
do not wait until the night before the exam to reread
and study your notes.
Buy your textbooks. Also, heed your professors’
suggestions in regard to outside reading.
Do not ignore exam results. Do not try to hide
or throw test papers away. If you study them,
you might do better next time.
Attend classes on regular basis so that you will
know everything that might be on your exams. Furthermore,
going to class late is not at all graceful or
stylish. However, it’s better to go to class late than
not to go at all.
If you miss a class, be sure to get what you
missed from your classmates or from your professor.
Start term papers ahead of time and put them
together neatly after finishing them. Habits of neatness
and promptness will guarantee you all the
credit that you deserve.
Schedule your classes across the entire day so
that you will have time between classes to think
about and complete assignments but not so much
time that you might give in to the temptation to goof
off.
Visit with each of your professors during the term.
This is a way to get additional valuable information
that might help you.

Page 14
By Mandakini Hiremath
During almost 22 years of tenure at
Claflin University, I have been told
by many students, “I have a mother
at home,” or “Be glad that you are
not my mother,” or, sarcastically,
“Yes, Mom!” or even, “Get a life.”
My responses to them were, “Your
mom is away from you” or “Good!”
or “I have a life, but when I am with
Mandakini Hiremath
you, you are my concern.” However,
most of them came back later and
apologized for snapping at me. Often they have told me
the stories of their lives. A lot is going on in their lives.
Find me guilty. I agree; it’s been my specialty too. I
have persistently bugged them, the young aspiring
geniuses, to do better than their present performance if I
saw their potential and that they were failing to utilize it. I
would talk with and to them relentlessly, until they started
wiggling and said, “I need to go.” I am glad that my
persistence in encouraging students hasn’t all been
negative. Many have taken the time to discuss matters
with me, thanked me for encouragement and guidance,
and improved their scholastic performance. Some, at least
a couple from the business department, promised me that
they will be millionaires one day and will come back to
take care of me. Though I am not waiting for them to
come back to take care of me, I feel blessed. Their loving
gestures and kind concern are secure in my heart.
Though a few of my colleagues who observe me
closely know of this characteristic, I thought it was a wellkept
secret. It was not talked about publicly until a couple
of years ago when a large group of prospective students
and their parents visited the Writing Center. While
introducing the faculty members that were present, my
former colleague Dr. Barbara McIver said, when it came
to my turn, “This is Mrs. Hiremath, who works full time
at the Writing Center; she will be of help when you need
it; and she listens to all your stories.” Feeling rather selfconscious,
I stealthily rolled my eyes around; all eyes were
on me. However, noticing a couple of parents nodding
and smiling at me and feeling their approval, I said to
myself, “OK!”
Each person has amazing power within her/himself that
has not yet been tapped. To keep your willpower mighty,
Dreams and ambitions
Humanities and Social Sciences Newsletter
think of great lives, of the heroes and heroines who have
helped to shape your life or who have motivated you to
surround yourself with challenging people and ideas.
Nurture your mind with great thoughts that will help you to
grow. Growth is evidence of life.
When you study the lives of great people, you will realize
that they did not achieve their successes overnight, nor
were the titles “hero” and “heroine” randomly placed on a
silver platter and bestowed upon them in their honor. Their
perseverance and endurance led them to their desired
destination, but the journey was neither short nor painless.
Remember that Thomas Edison reportedly tested 10,000
light bulbs before finally getting one to work. The late
Colonel Sanders took his chicken recipe to more than
1,000 restaurants before finally convincing anyone that it
was “finger-licking good.” Abraham Lincoln could not do
anything right for the first 28 years of his life. He lost several
jobs, failed in several business deals, and endured
numerous losses while running for public office. Finally, he
won the election that led to his being considered one of
the greatest presidents of the United States. Do not ever
forget: there is no gain without pain.
Many times it is heard, “My friend is a genius; he/she
makes all A’s. I am not that smart.” This attitude is a lame
excuse for not committing to work hard and not accepting
academic challenges. You need to remember, as Thomas
Edison said, “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninetynine
percent perspiration.”
In addition, never forget that however hard you work,
you are going to experience failures now and then. Perk
yourself up by remembering that Ralph Waldo Emerson
said, “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising
up every time we fail.” Rise up to your ambitions; work
tenaciously to bring your dreams to fruition.
Read, reread, and reflect on the ideas presented herein.
Realize that some perceptions are incorrect and can be
corrected. I hope these examples will help inspire positive
attitudes, a sense of perseverance, and a realization that
life is truly what one makes of it.
Finally, let’s not forget that each one of us is born with
dreams and ambitions, and, as Robert F. Kennedy said,
“You can achieve anything in life if you have courage to
dream it, the intelligence to make a realistic plan, and the
will to see that plan through to the end.”