When Emmanuel Pressley received his degree from Claflin University in May, it marked the realization of a goal the Hemingway, S.C. native had set for himself long ago.
Pressley made history at Claflin when as a junior, he was named the University’s first-ever Harry S. Truman Scholar. Named after former U.S. President Harry S. Truman, the scholarship is a highly competitive, merit-based award offered to U.S. college students who plan to attend graduate school in preparation for a career in public service.
Pressley was one of 59 Truman Scholars who were selected from among 655 candidates nominated by 293 colleges and universities. Pressley was the only Truman Scholar selected from the state of South Carolina.
"Emmanuel represents the visionary leader with a global perspective we take tremendous pride in producing at Claflin University," said Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, president at Claflin University. "We are confident that his accomplishments, leadership and support of Claflin University will continue as an alumnus."
After graduation, Pressley began an internship at the Pentagon in the Office of Diversity Management & Equal Opportunity. His duties have included addressing compliance and non-discrimination issues within the Department of Defense.
"I helped coordinate a major project on the state of diversity for the U.S. Department of Defense in an effort to strategically diversify the leadership and create pipeline programs for minorities," Pressley said. "It's been very exciting. I have been in meetings with many high-profile government officials such as U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice, Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court Sonia Sotomayor and Clarence Thomas, and former U.S. Secretary of State Collin Powell. When my internship at the Pentagon ends, I will begin my internship in the Truman-Albright Fellows Program."
Pressley can look back and be assured that he truly had a meaningful and impactful presence at Claflin. In addition to his stellar academic achievements, he studied abroad in Brazil and held positions of senator and later chief of staff with the Claflin University Student Government Association (CUSGA).
“Claflin will always be home,” Pressley said. “When I think of Claflin I will always be reminded of Homecoming when everyone – the students and alumni -- gather on the floor in the Edwin Tullis Arena to sing the Alma Mater. I also remember my introduction to the Panther Steps Program where we were challenged to raise the expectations we had for ourselves,” he added. “I know what I had planned for myself but I reassessed my goals. I began to realize that Claflin is a small -- but powerful environment that has everything you need to become a well-prepared and dynamic individual.”
