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Clyburns’ gift will support master’s degree in the ‘4 + 1 Program’ between Arnold School, Claflin University
October 14, 2010
The James E. Clyburn Research and Scholarship Foundation is giving $100,000 to the University of South Carolina to establish an endowed scholarship at the Arnold School of Public Health, USC officials announced Tuesday (Oct. 12).
From Left: Dr. Harris Pastides, University of South
Carolina President, joins Dr. Tom Chandler,
Arnold School dean, Emily E. Clyburn,
Congressman Jim Clyburn, and
Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, Claflin University
President, for a scholarship announcement
at the Arnold School of Public Health.
The James E. and Emily E. Clyburn Public Health Endowed Scholarship Fund will help students enrolled in the five-year, dual-degree program at USC and Claflin University in Orangeburg. The program allows undergraduate students at Claflin to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in public health from USC’s Arnold School.
“Throughout his career, Congressman Clyburn has dedicated himself to addressing healthcare disparities in the state of South Carolina and has served as a leading proponent for public health education in the United States,” said USC President Harris Pastides, former Arnold School dean, who made the announcement at the Arnold School’s Public Health Research Center.
“This endowed scholarship in public health will serve as a lasting and appropriate legacy for Jim and Emily Clyburn,” he said.
The dual-degree program, also known as the “4 + 1 Program,” is designed to develop public health professionals from under-represented populations who are pursuing careers to address health disparities.
“Emily and I are thrilled that our foundation can make this contribution to get this endowment started and we are pleased to have it named in our honor. It reflects our commitment to reducing health disparities and improving public health for all South Carolinians,” said Clyburn, the House Majority Whip who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1993.
“I thank Dr. Pastides for his vision and USC and Claflin University for partnering on this project,” he said.
Clyburn said the effort between USC and Claflin is a further example of the type of cooperation and regionalism that can improve the state. The dual-degree program, which will increase the number of public health professionals working in South Carolina, will help prevent some of the health issues that plague the state, he said.
“So much of what ails people in South Carolina can be prevented,” Clyburn said.
Arnold School Dean Tom Chandler said the public health community is facing a crisis in workforce. Over the next decade, the nation is projected to have a shortage of about 250,000 public health professionals.
“We need students like these from Claflin University … we need students who are culturally competent to come into the workforce,” Chandler said. “This gift is just a starting point. We will grow this endowment.”
Claflin University President Henry N. Tisdale said the dual degree between his university and USC’s Arnold School of Public Health is an innovative program that fits into the school’s long-range plan.
“Within that plan we have a commitment, a strategic initiative, to continue to build on and strengthen programs that serve the critical needs of our state and the nation,” Tisdale said.
