Dear Clemson Family:
I hope 2023 has been a good year so far for you and your families!
The Spring semester is well under way and our faculty, staff and students are hard at work on our main campus and at innovation campuses, research and education centers, extension offices and other locations across the state.
Since my last message, we graduated more than 2,000 students in our December ceremonies, bringing the total number of living alumni to more than 176,000 Tigers across the globe. Our student success metrics, including our student graduation rates, continue to be ranked among the best in the country for public universities. These rankings are a testament to the incredible work of our Clemson community.
In January, we had the honor of hosting the only grandchild of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Yolanda King, at our 41st annual MLK Service Awards Ceremony.
I was able to visit some of our amazing Alumni in Florida and want to thank the South Florida and Treasure Coast Clemson Clubs for coming out and spending time together. I always look forward to the opportunities I have to visit with Alumni groups across the country.
And we were also able to honor Harvey Gantt and his leadership at Clemson as a student and alumnus, at the 60th anniversary gala benefitting the Harvey Gantt Endowment Scholarship.
In February, we held the groundbreaking ceremony for our new Alumni and Visitors Center.
Our Board of Trustees held their winter quarterly meeting during which approvals were granted for the development of new academic centers, several program modifications and multiple facilities projects. Additionally, the Board also reviewed and approved a feasibility study on the establishment of a new college for veterinary medicine.
Clemson University and the City of Clemson came together for The State of Clemson address where Mayor Halfacre and I highlighted our continued partnership, including key projects such as the recycling center at Kite Hill and expansion of Perimeter Road that enhances traffic safety and extends the Green Crescent Trail.
Two weeks ago, at the South Carolina Automotive Summit, we announced that Clemson University has created the first Bachelor of Science degree in automotive engineering in the country and will be welcoming students into the degree program this coming fall. And just last week, we dedicated Andy’s Cottage at the Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science, continuing to fulfill our land-grant mission of education, research, and service to the State of South Carolina and beyond.
It’s been fun cheering on our student-athletes this semester, including our women’s lacrosse team as they begin their inaugural season.
In my last message, I announced that we were working on a new strategic plan. That hard work has continued, and we are looking forward to launching Clemson Elevate this spring. Input from our faculty, staff, and students has been instrumental in creating this plan which will help lead us into the future.
As we look ahead to midterms, Spring Break and the remainder of the semester, I look forward to seeing you on our beautiful campuses and in the community. Thank you for sharing your Clemson spirit across the state of South Carolina, nation and world.
Go Tigers!
Jim Clements
President