The fastest growing college at Clemson University, the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business, is pleased to announce that it has received a $2.5M commitment from David Sprouse ’61 and Sandra Sprouse to endow faculty positions in two foundational disciplines. The Sprouses answered the call of the Power of One challenge to create an endowed chair for the John E. Walker Department of Economics. They extended their love for Clemson to generously fund a distinguished professorship in financial management, becoming Clemson University’s most recent Academic Cornerstone Partners. The David W. Sprouse ’61 Endowed Chair in Economics and the David W. Sprouse ’61 Distinguished Professorship in Financial Management will raise the bar and support the development of empowered future business leaders, driving innovative business research and expanding educational and economic impact by transforming lives statewide and beyond.
Exceptional learning begins with outstanding faculty. The John E. Walker Department of Economics and the Department of Finance will benefit greatly from the Sprouses’ gift as this crucial investment in faculty will contribute to the College’s growing reputation as a powerhouse in business education and leadership development.
“We are very thankful for David and Sandra’s investment in our faculty. Their love of learning and their belief in education is reflected in their Cornerstone gift, which will impact every generation of Clemson business students going forward. We are fiercely grateful for their unwavering support and longstanding dedication to Clemson University.” said Brian O’Rourke, Vice President of Advancement.
David Sprouse ’61 excelled from the pitcher’s mound at Clemson to textile mills across the east coast and later as a real estate developer and stock options investor. He studied textile management at Clemson and, immediately upon graduation, started work in the industry that his Slater native parents had worked in all their lives. Along the way, David rose in leadership and met his wife Sandra Jean Motley, a Duke alumna and French language teacher. Together, they would move a handful of times for opportunities for David before settling in South Carolina close to Clemson after he retired from the textile industry. However, that retirement was short-lived as David and Sandra soon combined their skills to build two successful real estate developments. Never one for idle time, David took several courses on stock options and soon found a talent for investments. Before long David, always looking to be of service, was teaching others how to trade stock options.
Humble and generous, the Sprouses have built a values-centered life together. They believe in the power of education. Their commitment to Clemson has only deepened over the years. That belief in Clemson’s mission to advance higher education in South Carolina is what inspired the Sprouses to make both this Academic Cornerstone gift as well as a previous gift to Athletics including the David and Sandra Sprouse Team Room in Doug Kingsmore Stadium and also a significant future gift in the form of an estate plan for Clemson that will create the David W. Sprouse ’61 Baseball Scholarship Endowment and increase their existing Financial Management distinguished professorship to an endowed chair level. In addition, they have made generous provisions to create a named university-wide scholarship.
Prestigious named positions demonstrate Clemson’s commitment to faculty. Endowed chairs and professorships allow universities to attract and support distinguished scholars of international repute who enhance the quality of teaching, research and service.
These important faculty members initiate, inspire and invest in the development of ideas and innovations both individually and as a group. They serve as teachers, mentors and role models for their students elevating the University and equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to lead.
I am grateful to David and Sandra for their outstanding commitment and generosity to Clemson University. As our newest Academic Cornerstone Partners, the Sprouses continue to build on their incredible legacy of service and their dedication to our mission – of transforming lives through the power of education, research and service. Their investment will have a significant impact on the lives of our Tigers for generations to come, and I am thankful that David and Sandra are such a special part of the Clemson Family.
James P. Clements, Ph.D.
President, Clemson University
Through their investment in Clemson faculty, the Sprouses are helping shape the future of business education, expanding opportunities for talented students and strengthening the foundation for Clemson’s continued success and moving the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business Fiercely Forward.
