Had he allowed his family, friends and mentors to determine his destiny, Dr. Henry N. Tisdale would have been a medical doctor, not a mathematician.

Tisdale, the eighth president of Claflin University, told the incoming freshman class about his dilemma during the annual Freshman Retreat at White Oak Conference Center in Winnsboro. He recalled that before entering Claflin, everyone who knew him was sure he would be a doctor.

In fact, upon meeting then-President Hubert V. Manning, Tisdale remembers his mentor saying,“This is Henry Tisdale. He’s going to be a medical doctor.”

“When I got to Claflin, I said I’m going to be a medical doctor because that’s what everyone else said.” Tisdale told the freshman class. “I realized my true passion was mathematics. That was my God-given talent.

“I changed my mind. Yes, everyone was disappointed but I haven’t regretted making that decision. Whatever you do, give it your best. Look back and say there’s a reason why I made this decision. It was my decision. That’s what this experience is all about – conceptualizing and seeing your future.”

The Freshman Retreat has been held for the past five years as a means of reflection, self-study and bringing the entire freshman class into the fold of the Claflin family. The retreat is a part of an extensive freshman orientation where, in addition to registering for classes and getting acclimated to campus life, the incoming class is inducted during freshman convocation and participates in several planned activities, including talent shows and other social events.

The culmination of welcoming the class of 2012 and returning students will occur at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, during the university’s annual Matriculation Day Convocation in the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center.

“For some of you, this is a time to make decisions and choices,” Tisdale said during the retreat. “It’s a good time to get in touch with your inner voice and get in touch with who you are and where you’re going. Your journey is a very unique journey – not your roommate’s journey, not your parents’ journey, but your personal journey.”

Each new student comes to Claflin with his own story. While the students bonded during the retreat and other activities during freshman orientation, there are still feelings of uncertainty, fear and maybe even a little insecurity that come with being a freshman. The freshman retreat and orientation activities are designed to make the transition smooth and meaningful.

Equipped with an overnight bag, no cell phones or electronics, members of the freshman class are encouraged to reflect on their purpose for attending college and what they want to accomplish, gain strength to sustain the journey and receive guidance from university officials and a host of speakers and panelists on how to make their college experience a successful one.

“This is our fifth annual retreat. We’ve been doing this since 2003,” said Dr. Daniel Hembee, director of Claflin’s Center for Vocational Reflection and chair of the Philosophy and Religion Department. The Center for Vocal Reflection and the Freshman College co-sponsor the retreat each year.

“We invite the entire freshman class to participate in theological exploration and vocation. We invite them to explore why they are at Claflin, what they’ve been selected to do and what their major will be. These two days are designed to do just that,” Hembee said. “The seminars and workshops with speakers, they will help you begin this journey. Our research shows that students are a lot more focused after leaving this conference.”

Along with reflection, the retreat is a time for bonding among the freshman class. The students live in motel-type rooms with random members of their class. The absence of televisions and other electronics encourages communication. There are also many opportunities to mingle and form new friendships during games, social events and other activities.

“It’s an opportunity for students to reflect, for vocation and for them to bond with their classmates,” said Carolyn Snell, director of Career Development in the Office of Student Development and Services at Claflin.

“Without all of the electronics, they have no choice but to communicate. At school, they are two to a room. Here they are four to a room, which means you make two new friends,” Snell said.

When students leave the Freshman Retreat, the Center for Vocational Reflection hopes students discover what they truly love to do, discover their purpose and calling in life and begin the journey of living out their purpose. Essentially, the retreat aims to help students discover their heart’s desire.

“I believe this experience will be very meaningful as you get involved in becoming the best student you can be,” Tisdale said. “This is the optimal time to peruse and give some thought to your educational journey and make a life, not just a living.”

Charlene Slaughter is Claflin University’s assistant director of public relations.

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