b'VISIONARY LEADER CELEBRATES LEGACY WHILE CREATING NEW PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS By Tameka Kenan-Norman ImaginetakingthehelmofClaflinUniversity,THE GENESIS OF A LEADERfoundedin1869asSouthCarolinasoldestFor an accomplished leader with more than 20 years HistoricallyBlackCollege/University(HBCU).ofexperienceinhighereducationatsixdifferent Envisionacceptingtheresponsibilityofleadinguniversities, it is surprising that becoming a university aninstitutionthathaspresidentwasnotaninitial preparedgenerationsgoal for Warmack. ofstudentstoexcel inaglobalsociety.Ididntevenknow Contemplateguidingahighereducationwas universitythathasbeenevenacareer,admitted reveredandchampionedtheDetroit,Mich.native. throughout the state, withButthereweresomefolks eightpresidentsbeforewhosawsomethinginme you who became pillars ofthatIdidntseeinmyself. the community.Thats what got me into this LeadingClaflin,profession.steepedinhistoryandWith$25tohisname, tradition,mayseemlikeandneverhavingventured aninsurmountabletask.belowtheMason-Dixon However,Dr.DwaunLine,thethen19-year-old J.WarmackacceptedhoppedonaGreyhound thatchallengein2019. busandbeganthepath Now,fiveyearsafterhistohiscareer.Although appointmentasClaflinstravelingtoadeeprural ninthpresident,theFor 154 years, Claflins mission has includedareainMississippiwasa universityhasachievedserving and enriching the lives of residents ofculture shock for a teenager unprecedentedsuccess.fromtheMotorCity, ThissuccesscanbeOrangeburg and surrounding communities.Warmack said it was a life-attributedtoWarmacksWe plan to expand our commitment by offeringchanging decision. effectiveleadership,educational outcomes for non-college degree myriadof higher educationseeking individuals in the Orangeburg region. IcametoCleveland, experiences,campus- Miss.,butitwastheplace wideacceptanceofhis Dr. Dwaun Warmack thattransformedme, guiding principles, and hisacknowledged Warmack. strategic focus of buildingI grew up very fast, without on a legacy while transcending into the future. areallevelofappreciationfortheSouthernculture and rural America.IMARA11'