Bill Cosby at Claflin University's funding gala

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Famed comedian, author and television star Bill Cosby is entertaining at Claflin University's annual gala as part of an effort to raise $1 million.

Thursday's event starts at 6 p.m. at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Tickets are $200 per person.

School officials say the event marks its 20th anniversary. It also is honoring 20 years of service by President Henry Tisdale and Alice Carson Tisdale and employees who have worked at the historically black university in Orangeburg for that length of time.

Claflin was founded in 1869 and is the oldest historically black college or university in the state.

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