Dear Clemson Family,
It’s officially Spring, and with the change in season comes a certain buzz around our campuses as students, faculty, staff and members of our community enjoy longer days and warmer weather. Our beautiful Clemson Forest is turning green, the ’55 Exchange is scooping up delicious ice cream for people to enjoy, and our students and alumni are posting some of their favorite memories from spring break, whether here at Clemson, around the country or abroad.
As we move into the second half of the semester, I encourage you to take full advantage of all the events and experiences available. From upcoming concerts in Death Valley to our ring ceremonies, University awards and announcements, Give Day and more – there is an opportunity for engagement and connection for everyone.
This spring our Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine selected its first cohort of the state of South Carolina’s veterinary medicine students, and we are thrilled to welcome each of these students to campus this Fall. We also recently celebrated a significant gift from the Darla Moore Foundation, which established the Darla Moore Scholars of Veterinary Medicine, further strengthening Clemson’s unique land-grant mission and commitment to transforming lives across our great state.
Later this week, we will have the official ribbon-cutting for our Advanced Materials Innovation Complex, a cutting-edge facility designed to support and elevate the next generation of innovators, researchers and leaders in advanced materials. And on Saturday, March 28, I look forward to seeing many of our Clemson Family at 8:30 a.m. at the 11th Annual Mile of Honor to remember our fallen veterans before heading to Memorial Stadium for the 1 p.m. kickoff of the Orange vs. White Spring Football Game. Then we will end the day at 5 p.m. with an exciting Lacrosse matchup at our newly named Conklin Field.
Spring is an exciting time for our student-athletes who do an outstanding job in their respective sports, academics and in representing Clemson University. This past weekend, our gymnastics team brought home its first ACC Championship title – which is quite the accomplishment in just three short seasons. And for the first time since the 1997-1998 season, our men’s and women’s basketball teams both competed with a determined spirit in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Our Women’s Indoor Track and Field team won the ACC Championship for the second year in a row, and we have a newly crowned National Champion, Gladys Chepngetich, in the NCAA Indoor Championships. And that just scratches the surface. I encourage you to come out and support your Tigers as they continue to compete at the highest levels.
As we move into the final stretch of the semester, I hope each of you finds moments of joy, connection and inspiration to finish the semester strong. Thank you for everything you contribute to our Clemson Family. Let’s continue pushing Fiercely Forward, supporting one another and striving for the great achievements yet to come.
Go Tigers!
Sincerely,
Robert H. Jones, Ph.D.
Interim President, Clemson University
