Dear Clemson Community,
Monday marked 100 days since I became Clemson University’s 16th president. Marilyn and I are grateful for the welcome our family has received, and we already feel at home.
My assessment after these first few months is simple: Clemson is well positioned for what comes next. We have a mission that matters, people who care deeply about this University and momentum across our teaching, research and service. There is a great deal to be proud of.
This fall, we welcomed the inaugural class of the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine and dedicated its new campus, and we opened the Forestry and Environmental Conservation facility. Clemson faculty and researchers across the University continue to earn national recognition and received $216 million in total research awards in 2026.
This year, our University earned high marks from The Princeton Review, Niche and U.S. News & World Report for academics, student life and career engagement, while our Honors College ranked No. 4 nationally.
Demand for a Clemson education remains high, our staff are leading national professional associations, philanthropic support has exceeded $200 million for six consecutive years, and our students and student-athletes continue to excel in competition, in the classroom and in the community.
These accomplishments are not isolated. They reflect the quality of Clemson’s people, the relevance of our work and the confidence that students, families, partners and supporters place in this University. None of that happens without hard work, and for that I am grateful.
Clemson’s Values – Integrity, Respect, Diversity, Patriotism, Excellence and Self-Reliance – are not simply institutional principles. They guide how we lead. They shape how we approach decisions, how we treat one another and how we carry out our responsibility to serve.
During my first 100 days, I have spent considerable time listening and learning. I have met with students, faculty and staff; visited Clemson teams serving communities throughout South Carolina; talked with alumni and donors; and met with city, state and government leaders about the responsibilities we share. I have also taken part in traditions such as First Friday, Homecoming, Commencement, Clemson Ring Ceremony, and the $2 bill tradition that connect generations of Tigers.
As we look to the future, higher education continues to navigate headwinds. Federal research policies and priorities are shifting. Student loan and international policies are changing, while demographic and enrollment patterns continue to evolve. And families, policymakers and the public are asking increasingly direct questions about the value of higher education.
Leading public land grant universities are well positioned to meet this moment. And, at Clemson, we will do exactly that as a mission-centered university where talented students want to learn, where outstanding faculty and staff want to build their careers, where communities, government and industry see value and seek to engage, and where our impact prominently extends across South Carolina and beyond.
Our recently released financial results provide a strong foundation to build upon the University’s momentum and seize opportunities to support and enhance our mission impact. Likewise, the Voluntary Separation Program will provide flexibility as we align resources with institutional opportunities and create pathways for future investment. And we have already started that work.
New research seed grants are helping faculty advance promising ideas and compete for larger opportunities. Expanded support for faculty travel and staff professional development is helping our people build relationships, strengthen their skills and grow in their careers.
Those are the first steps. In the coming year, we will continue investing in people, programs and experiences that distinguish Clemson. Academics and student success and the pursuit of excellence in our teaching, research, and service will be at the forefront of our collective efforts.
We will work to expand scholarships so that more talented students can access and complete a Clemson degree. We will pursue experiential learning opportunities for every student, making internships, research, service, entrepreneurship, study abroad and industry engagement a foundational part of a Clemson education – producing workforce-ready graduates on Day One.
Clemson is already home to exceptional faculty. By expanding endowed professorships and fellowships, we can better support and retain those outstanding teachers and scholars while attracting others who will strengthen our academic community. As an institutional priority, we will seek to double our endowed faculty positions to attract and retain leading faculty across the University.
Several institutional priorities will also move forward because they reflect Clemson’s strengths and respond to important needs in South Carolina and the nation.
We will translate Clemson’s expertise into meaningful impact for South Carolina by establishing the Clemson University National Security Institute as a leader in research and innovation; expanding the statewide impact of Public Service and Agriculture; advancing the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine to meet critical veterinary workforce, animal health and agricultural needs; growing health research and technology, while developing healthcare workforce and infrastructure for rural communities; and deepening industry partnerships to transform Clemson discoveries into economic growth and real-world solutions.
These areas differ in focus but share a common purpose: putting Clemson’s people and expertise to work on important problems and creating opportunity for those we serve.
My first 100 days have given me a deeper appreciation for what makes Clemson, Clemson – and greater clarity on how we preserve what makes it special and build on it for the future. We will continue to enhance what works, address what does not and make choices that keep quality, people and mission at the heart of everything we do.
Thank you for what you do for Clemson and for the trust you have placed in me. I will continue listening and asking questions in the months ahead. I am proud to serve alongside you and am excited for the future and the great things that we will accomplish together.
Go Tigers!
