Claflin President Receives Honorary Doctorate From Hofstra University

Claflin University President Dr. Henry N. Tisdale has been conferred an honorary doctorate from Hofstra University of New York, where he recently delivered the Honors Convocation address.

During his 15 years as president, Archon Tisdale’s reputation for accomplishment, generating momentum, demonstrating commitment and his strategic approach to advancing Claflin have established him as a prominent influence in higher education. Archon Tisdale’s inaugural pledge to place Claflin University among the premier liberal arts institutions in America was achieved in August 2008 when Forbes.com listed the University as the top Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the country and ranked Claflin in the top four percent nationally in their first-ever rankings of “America’s Best Colleges.”

Throughout his career, Archon Tisdale has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors. In September 2008, the Town of Kingstree, S.C., in recognition of the extraordinary achievements of their native son, erected a lasting tribute, six highway markers proclaiming Kingstree, S.C., the “Home of Archon Henry N. Tisdale, The Eighth President of Claflin University.”

Archon Tisdale’s other recent honors include 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, the I. DeQuincey Newman Humanitarian Award, the NAFEO (National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education) Distinguished Alumni Award, Who’s Who Among Black Americans and the NAACP Educator of the Year Award.

Over the years, Archon 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.

Archon Tisdale is President of the UNCF Council of Presidents. He is Vice Chair of the Board of UNCF and Vice Chair of the Executive Committee of the Board. He is also President of the University Senate of The United Methodist Church. He is a member of 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, HBCU-ETS Steering Committee and Trinity United Methodist Church.