‘A glorious day’: Claflin University celebrates opening of student center

A theater with first-run movies, eSports center, meeting/conference rooms, food court with national eateries and what’s believed to be the largest ballroom space in Orangeburg County are all included in the new center located at the corner of Magnolia Street and Goff Avenue.

“It may be a little bit overcast, but it’s a glorious day here in Orangeburg. It’s not only a great day for us, but it’s going to be a life-changing opportunity for so many students for generations to come,” Claflin University Board Chairman James Lehman said.

He said, “You’re going to love this facility. You’re going to love every part of it. It really is about the students. Every corner of the building is designed to help and support our Claflin student body.”

Claflin University President Dr. Dwaun Warmack said, “Our students will have something special and the community, as well.”

He said the theater was going to show “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” on Friday.

“We want to show the community that Orangeburg can sustain a movie theater,” Warmack said.

He thanked Claflin trustee William Johnson for his commitment to securing the property which had initially housed two homes, one of which Williams was born in, and a basketball court.

Warmack said, “He said, ‘This property has sentimental value for me.’ … He said he always promised that he and his wife would come back and do something special for Claflin. So not only did he just broker the relationship to get the property, he paid the money to get the property for us, as well.”

The president also thanked his staff and others who made the project possible, including former USDA Rural Development South Carolina State Director Dr. Saundra Glover, Greenville-based MCA Architecture Inc., the project’s architect and general contractors M.B. Kahn Construction Co. and Metcon Inc.

The three-story center houses not just a 172-seat, handicapped-accessible movie theater that can also be used as an auditorium, but six study rooms, conference rooms and a more than 800-seat ballroom.

The university’s new bookstore and a food court area, which includes QDOBA Mexican Eats, Papa John’s and Starbucks, is also included in the center, along with an open area for students to convene together, complete with amenities such as high-top tables with plug-ins.

Claflin students Jakhia Scott, 19, and Matthew Sanders, 21, are pleased with the additions.

“As a Claflinite, getting the student center was just like a very big accomplishment. Being in Orangeburg, you really don’t have much here. This gave us an opportunity to have new things and see Claflin grow as a whole,” Scott said.

Sanders said, “It’s huge for not only for Claflin, but the Orangeburg community. This is a community that gives so much to Claflin. To be able to have a student center that not only takes care of students’ needs – whether that’s a movie theater, more food options – but it’s also giving back to the community and having it open for them.”

Sanders continued, “It gives them something to do, as well. So we don’t have to travel to a Columbia, to a Charleston to get some of these activities. We have it right here in the community, bringing more dollars to the community and more dollars to the campus.”

Timothy Johnson was hired as the student center’s new executive director. He previously served as the director of the Guerrieri Student Union and student involvement at Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland.

Johnson said student unions are “the heartbeat of a college campus.”

“It’s kind of like the next big step for me. Also, being able to open a new space is like a once-in-a-lifetime career move,” he said.

“Being in the role is to bridge two things: student engagement and community engagement, making sure both can have a really good time in this space and feel safe and then, more importantly, just to bring some revenue to the area,” Johnson said.

Orangeburg County Development Commission Chairman Kenneth Middleton, whose late parents were both Claflin alums, said he was happy to see the new student center open.

“This is not just Claflin and the students, but this is Orangeburg. Every time you look around, there are powerful people trying to get things done. This is one of those places where that’s happening. I’m just exceedingly proud of the leadership and the legacy of many, many folks,” Middleton said.

He said the center will serve as a strong cornerstone of the community.

“This is evidence of present work and a future draw for Orangeburg County. Is also is a testament to the leadership we have in the different segments of our county. So those who voted against Orangeburg County may have voted too soon. We’re really on the move collectively,” Middleton said.