About the Author

Dr. Henry N. Tisdale's Biography

Nationally recognized as a transformative leader in higher education, Henry N. Tisdale became the eighth president at Claflin University in 1994, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He received a master’s degree from Temple University in the teaching of mathematics and another master’s in mathematics from Dartmouth College. He further became the first African American to receive a doctorate in mathematics from Dartmouth. Under his distinguished tenure, Claflin University was consistently ranked in the Top Ten among HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) by reputable publications, gained unparallel state, regional and other national distinctions for academic excellence, fiscal stability, increased enrollment,

remarkable retention and graduation rates and enhancements of both its physical infrastructure and research capacity, solidifying his prominence as an exceptional leader. Included among his numerous distinguished awards and honors before retirement in July 2019 are the CASE (Council of Advancement and Support of Education) Chief Executive Award, and the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian award presented by the governor of South Carolina. He remains active in retirement, serving as a member of the Dartmouth College Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies Advisory Board, the South Carolian Governor’s School of Science and Mathematics Board, the Lowcountry Food Bank Foundation Board, the Dominion Energy Environmental Justice Advisory Council, and the Williamsburg County Public School Foundation Board.

INSIDE: "Beyond the Western Wall"

The images below are from the book Beyond the Western Wall by Dr. Henry N. Tisdale. Enjoy the visual journey that complements the rich narratives within the book.

(click on each image below to view the full caption)

Official photo of First Family June 1994. From left: First Lady Alice Carson Tisdale, Danica C. Tisdale and Brandon K. Tisdale.

(From left) Alice (seated) enjoying Gala with my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter (Willar) Tisdale and my sister, Mrs. Lola Tisdale June.

With Dr. Peter Kleist (left) and Dr. James Salley, development officer representing Africa University.

At the October 1997 Capital Campaign Kickoff with (from left) Attorney and Trustee Johnnie Cochran Jr., Maude Lawrence, and Chief Justice and Trustee, Earnest A. Finney Jr.

Dr. Shingara S. Sandhu receives the 1996 South Carolina Governor’s Professor of the Year Award. Dr. Sandhu became the first HBCU faculty to be selected for the honor. With me in the photo are (from left) Jind K. Sandhu, Dr. Shingara S. Sandhu, South Carolina Governor David Beasley, and Terry Green, student government association president.

Meeting with President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton at White House Reception for HBCU Presidents on January 4, 1996 (Official White House Photo).

At the 2005 Miss America Scholarship Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, escorting my daughter Danica, Miss Georgia 2004, onto the runway as she was announced as a top 10 finalist for Miss America. Danica was also a talent competition winner at Miss America and the first woman of color to be crowned Miss Georgia.

On campus with University of South Carolina President, Dr. Andrew Sorensen, as we jointly announced a major grant and the USC-Claflin Export Partnership to Eliminate Health Disparities in Cancer and HIV/AIDS.

700 Megahertz MNR in the Henry N. Tisdale Molecular Science Research Center. In 2007, the Tisdale MSRC was the only higher education facility in South Carolina with a 700 MHz NMR.

Alice and I welcome Senator Barack Obama and Ms. Michelle Obama to a campaign appearance held February 18, 2007, at Claflin University.

In 2008, Alice and I host Democratic candidate and Senator Joe Biden at Dunwalton, the president’s residence.

With Nobel laureate, Dr. Luc Montagnier, distinguished lecturer at Claflin with, (from left) Dr. Omar Bagasra and Dr. Verlie Tisdale. Dr. Montagnier lectured and met with faculty and students on November 10, 2009.

With Nobel laureate Martin Chalfie (center), distinguished lecturer at Claflin with (from left) Dr. Omar Bagasra, Dr. Nicholas Panasik, Dr. Rebecca Bullard-Dillard, Dr. Mohammed Chowdhury, and Dr. Verlie Tisdale. Dr. Chalfie met with faculty and students on April 30, 2010.

Former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young (far right) at Claflin on March 24, 2010, to visit his grandson Kemet and to impart wisdom on the young men of Claflin.

On March 28, 2013, in support of the institution’s historic $96.4 million capital campaign, Alice and I presented a $250,000 gift to the university to establish an endowed professorship in the sciences and provide scholarship support for students. James Bennett, campaign chair (left), and Paul Fant, Board of Trustees chair.

During a September 24, 2014, event celebrating our twenty years of service and held in the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, South Carolina, Alice and I were recipients of the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian award, presented by Governor Nikki Haley.

Emmanuel Pressley, from Hemmingway, South Carolina, and Claflin’s first ever Harry S. Truman Scholar, addresses faculty, staff, students, and family at a reception honoring his achievement in The 1869 Club.

(From left) With Brandon Valentine-Paris who qualified and competed in the 400-meter at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Dr. Jerome Fitch, athletic director and Lincoln London, head track and field coach.

On October 20, 2016, the university celebrated exceeding its capital campaign goal of $96.4 million and raising Over $105 million. (Front row from left) James Bennett, trustee and campaign chair and Rev. Whittaker V. Middleton, vice president for institutional advancement.

Standing with Dr. Michael Lomax (left), UNCF chief executive officer, announcing a $6 million Career Cluster Pathway Initiative grant from UNCF and the Lilly Endowment on February 18, 2017. Others from left: President David Swinton, Benedict College and President W. Franklin Evans, Voorhees College. Claflin University served as the lead institution.

On April 17, 2018, in Ministers’ Hall, I announced my retirement effective June 30, 2019.

With my family at “A Legacy of Visionary Leadership Gala” honoring the president and first lady, on April 1, 2019, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, South Carolina. Back row from Left: Brandon K. Tisdale, Dr. Danica Tisdale Fisher, me, Alice, and Dr. Damany Fisher, son-in-law. Front row from left: Anansa Theodora Fisher and Asa Touré Fisher.