In 2025, Clemson University celebrated student success, championed groundbreaking research and found new ways to serve South Carolinians and beyond.
See the top stories of faculty, staff and students from the past year, and learn how their efforts are poised to move Clemson Fiercely Forward in 2026.
February 6, 2025
Clemson University drives $6.4 billion economic impact in South Carolina, supporting jobs and growth
An independent economic impact study released at Clemson’s Winter Quarterly Board of Trustees detailed the University’s statewide economic impact at $6.4 billion including operations, capital investment, workforce development, athletics events and student and visitor spending.
Every dollar South Carolina invests in Clemson University generates $35 in economic output, according to the independent report prepared by Econsult Solutions Inc.
The assessment reinforced Clemson’s role as a major driver of economic growth and workforce development and solidifies the institution’s commitment to its mission of teaching, research and service. The total economic output resulted in 37,100 jobs statewide and generated $114.4 million in annual state tax revenue, contributing to the state’s economy.
February 23, 2025
Clemson University launches historic capital campaign to raise $1.889 billion
Clemson University embarked on its most ambitious capital campaign to date,Fiercely Forward: A Campaign for Clemson. With a goal of $1.889 billion, the Fiercely Forward capital campaign positions Clemson to remain steadfast in its commitment to student success, innovation and academic excellence.
March 1, 2025
Gymnast Brie Clark makes history
Brie Clark became the first collegiate gymnast to successfully complete the “Biles I” on floor and was the talk of the “gymternet.” Clark represented Clemson on Good Morning America and SportsCenter to discuss her achievement.
March 5, 2025
University’s impact celebrated at annual Clemson Day at the State House
Clemson University took over capital city Columbia on Wednesday, March 5. Administrative leaders, students, staff and affiliated board members came together to celebrate “Clemson Day at the State House,” an annual event focusing on the University’s impact over the past year.
March 8, 2025
Men’s Basketball sets regular season wins record on Senior Day
Clemson cruised to a 65-47 win over Virginia Tech in the regular-season finale in Littlejohn Coliseum. The Tigers set a program record for regular season wins (26) and tied for the most wins on-court in school history overall and won their 15th ACC game of the season by double-digits, tied for third-most in league history.
March 11, 2025
Thinking rural: Subject-matter experts from broad spectrum of Colleges, departments brainstorm community outreach, future support
The Clemson University Office of Research Development hosted 45 faculty and staff members at the 2025 TigerSphere event, “Exploring, Building and Connecting Research with Rural Community Practice.”
“This event is an opportunity to come together as a Clemson community and uplift conversations around the term ‘rural,’ and better connect research to practice in rural communities,” said Darris Means, the inaugural Dean’s Fellow for Rural Education in the College of Education, whose work has focused on rural education and supporting youth on pathways to and through higher education for more than a decade.
Clemson emerges as national leader in AI research
Industry leaders, researchers and students gathered at the Madren Conference Center April 17–18 for the 2025 Clemson University AI Research Symposium — a two-day exploration of how artificial intelligence is reshaping science, healthcare, infrastructure and ethics.
The event drew participation from multiple Clemson colleges and seven companies affiliated with the University President’s Industry Council companies: Siemens, Johnson Controls, Fluor, Arthrex, IBM, Boeing and Michelin.
Across campus, Clemson researchers are leading the way in AI research and implementation:
- Stephen Foulger, Gregg-Graniteville Endowed Chair and Professor, and his team have developed a new material aimed at making AI more energy and cost effective.
- Christopher Flathmann, an assistant professor in the School of Computing, is focusing on how human beings and AI can best work together, including how to resolve conflict.
- Nathan McNeese, associate vice president for technology and innovation, is playing a leading role in helping state and local governments across the country integrate artificial intelligence into public services and governance processes. The National Academies classified the report as a “rapid expert consultation” and “a special time-critical report.”
April 25, 2025
Clemson celebrates ribbon cutting and dedication of the Nieri Family Alumni and Visitors Center
Clemson University officially opened the doors to its newest and most dynamic campus facility, the Nieri Family Alumni and Visitors Center, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, April 25. The celebration honored the transformational philanthropy of the Nieri family and marked a significant milestone in the University’s history, reflecting Clemson’s vision for a vibrant, welcoming future. Clemson projects that the 98,000‑square‑foot, five‑story facility will serve more than 160,000 visitors annually — including prospective students, returning alumni, families and guests — as the new front door to campus.
April 26, 2025
A night to remember: Savannah Bananas visit Clemson on world tour
Clemson University’s Memorial Stadium — known as “Death Valley”— hosted an unprecedented event in its storied history: a Banana Ball game featuring the Savannah Bananas and the Party Animals, which the Bananas won, 4-3. It marked the first time the stadium was transformed to accommodate a baseball game, which featured a 190-foot left field line and 50-foot-tall netting system. The event drew 81,000 fans, making it the largest attendance in Banana Ball history.
Angeline Scheinbaum, Clemson University Dan Duncan Professor of Sports Marketing, breaks down Banana Ball and its worldwide appeal here.
May 6-9, 2025
More than 5,000 students graduate in May
More than 5,000 students earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Clemson University in May. Doctoral Commencement and Commencement for bachelor’s and master’s graduates were both held in Littlejohn Coliseum.
May 8, 2025
President Clements and First Family talk viral embrace, importance of faith, family and community on TODAY Show
The hug heard around the world.
Clemson University President Jim Clements, his wife, Beth; and his daughter, Grace; joined the TODAY Show and several other national outlets to discuss their viral embrace at Spring Commencement and how the ClemsonLIFE Program transforms lives.
May 9, 2025
Clemson University finds natural way to raise chickens without antibiotics
Consumers want antibiotic-free meat and farmers need reliable ways to keep their flocks healthy. Clemson University is helping meet both goals through new research that explores natural alternatives to antibiotics in poultry production.
The poultry industry is big, bringing in $2.5 billion annually for the South Carolina economy. A common gut disease in chickens, called necrotic enteritis (NE), creates an economic burden due to reduced production, increased mortality and the need for expensive treatments.
Antibiotics are often used to treat this disease. But Clemson University researchers say natural products like black cumin, kefir and bacteriophages may work just as well — and meet the growing demand for antibiotic-free chicken.
May 10, 2025
Softball captures first ACC Championship title in program history
A seventh-inning two-run blast off the bat of sophomore Kylee Johnson secured the 2-1 victory against Florida State for the first ACC Championship title for the Clemson Tigers.
The Tigers landed four on the ACC Championship All-Tournament team with freshman Taylor Pipkins being named the Tournament MVP. Additional Tigers selected included senior Aby Vieira, senior Maddie Moore and senior Brooke McCubbin.
Clemson went on to win the Clemson Regional in the NCAA Tournament to advance to its third Super Regional in the five-year history of the program.
May 16, 2025
Sibling revelry: Midge Smith ’24 finds faith, purpose supporting brother Tanner Smith of Netflix smash “Love on the Spectrum”
If you’re one of the tens of millions of people who have loved watching 2022 ClemsonLIFE graduate Tanner Smith’s beautiful story unfold on Netflix’s smash hit “Love on the Spectrum,” then you’ve no doubt noticed his sister, Midge Smith ’24, who makes regular appearances on the show supporting her brother. If you’re one of Tanner’s millions of followers on social media, you’ve seen her in any number of his posts. Watch the clip of Jack Black surprising Tanner on the Kelly Clarkson Show that went viral earlier this year, and there’s Midge sitting on the couch next to him.
August 4, 2025
Clemson University launches groundbreaking project to boost water efficiency and crop yields in southeastern U.S.
In a step toward advancing sustainable agriculture, Clemson University launched a pioneering research initiative to enhance water use efficiency and crop productivity across the southeastern U.S. Backed by the USDA’s Research Capacity Fund (Hatch), this five-year initiative addresses challenges farmers face in the region, including water scarcity, extreme weather events and saltwater intrusion. The project will deliver science-based, regionally tailored tools to support irrigation scheduling, crop planning and long-term field management.
August 12, 2025
Clemson University unveils Deep Orange 16: A semi-autonomous, off-road rapid response vehicle
Clemson University unveiled Deep Orange 16, a next-generation, semi-autonomous vehicle designed to transform emergency response in extreme conditions, at the Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium (GVSETS) in Novi, Michigan. Developed by graduate automotive engineering students in the University’s acclaimed Deep Orange program, the vehicle merges advanced technology with mission-critical functionality to enhance the speed, safety and efficiency of rescue operations.
August 8, 2025
Clemson welcomes Class of 2029
Clemson University welcomed approximately 5,100 first-year students and 1,800 transfer students to its main campus as well as 2,000 graduate students after another competitive admissions cycle. This year’s group of first-year students includes the second-largest class of South Carolinians, representing all 46 counties, alongside students from 49 states and 34 countries.
August 21, 2025
Good Morning America visits Clemson to showcase community impact, athletics and ClemsonLIFE
Clemson University President Jim Clements, his wife, Beth; his daughter, Grace; Coach Swinney, and dozens of Clemson staff and students appeared on Good Morning America as the show chose the University for its S.C. stop on their 50 States in 50 Weeks series leading up to the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
August 28, 2025
Clemson announces the Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture
Clemson unveiled a new name for its School of Architecture, thanks to an unprecedented gift from the late Richard “Dick” McMahan ’54, HD ’06, a distinguished alumnus, and his beloved wife Mary “Dinky” McMahan. As the school of architecture embarks on its second century, its new name reflects the deep investment and impact of the alumni and supporters of our University. The Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture will carry forward countless legacies who have utilized their Clemson education and experiences to creatively and collaboratively design and build structures that not just serve a purpose but create better communities, improve health and environmental outcomes, and drive change and innovation across the industry.
September 30, 2025
Clemson institute works with industry on new markets for South Carolina timber
With South Carolina’s forestry and forest products industries facing significant headwinds, Clemson University’s Wood Utilization + Design Institute (WU+D) convened industry, government and academic leaders at the Madren Conference Center to explore new products and markets for the state’s abundant timber.
The meeting took place amid a series of high-profile mill closures, including those of International Paper in Georgetown, the WestRock plant in Charleston, International Paper in Savannah, and the Containerboard Mill in Riceboro, which have reduced market capacity and disrupted the wood supply chain.
October 6, 2025
Clemson leads $2.4 million grant to improve agriculture
Researchers at Clemson University and partner organizations received a $2.4 million, four-year grant to map genes that control leaf senescence in corn, work that aims to sustain photosynthesis longer, improve yield stability and support smarter on-farm nitrogen use.
The work is supported by the National Science Foundation through Plant Genome Research Program and the Cross-Directorate Activities program.
October 7, 2025
Clemson to become 126th member of the Association of Research Libraries
The membership of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) voted at its Fall 2025 Association Meeting to invite the Clemson University Libraries to join ARL as the Association’s 126th member, effective January 1, 2026. Christopher Cox, dean of libraries at Clemson, accepted the invitation.
“We are thrilled to be invited to join ARL, which represents the best of the best research libraries in the country,” said Dean Cox. “ARL membership has been a goal for us for a while. Membership will provide Clemson Libraries’ faculty and staff with access to incredible resources and professional development opportunities, which will enable us to do even more to support Clemson University and its research mission.”
October 9, 2025
Clemson’s Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine opens application window for inaugural class
The Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine at Clemson University officially opened its applicationwindow to students, marking an historic milestone.
On October 8, 2025, the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education provided the College with a Letter of Reasonable Assurance, a critical milestone in the accreditation process. With this approval, prospective students were able to start applying to be a part of the College’s first class of veterinary students in Fall 2026, offering a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree designed to prepare graduates to meet critical health needs across South Carolina benefiting animals and people.
October 16, 2025
Interdisciplinary team of researchers and physicians expands program for opioid-dependent mothers and infants in Anderson and Pickens Counties
CBSHS researchers and Prisma Children’s Hospital physicians received funding from the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund (SCORF) to further expand the Managing Abstinence in Newborns (MAiN) program in both Anderson and Pickens Counties. MAiN is a coordinated approach to caring for opioid-dependent mothers and their newborns, who may be at risk of developing NOWS. Its mission is to expand comprehensive, long-term, evidence-based treatment and recovery support for infants with NOWS and establish a continuum of care to ensure infants and mothers receive specialized treatment from pregnancy to delivery and beyond.
Rachel Mayo, professor in the Department of Public Health Services and MAiN team lead for Pickens County, was featured on WSPA during National Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) month in October.
October 17, 2025
Clemson celebrates five years of impact and future growth for the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
Clemson University commemorated the fifth anniversary of the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business, marking half a decade since the monumental $60 million gift from Billy and Ann Powers that named the College and catalyzed its rise as a leader in business education.
The two-day celebration held October 16–17, honored both the Powers family’s legacy and the collective impact of the Clemson Family — alumni, donors, and partners whose ongoing support continues to shape the College’s success.
November 13, 2025
Clemson Rural Health initiatives improve health outcomes in rural communities across South Carolina
As the organizing framework for Clemson’s statewide rural health service delivery and prevention efforts, Clemson Rural Health (CRH) demonstrated measurable success in advancing the goals of Clemson Elevate by improving health outcomes and transforming lives across South Carolina and beyond.
Using enhanced data analysis capabilities, CRH demonstrated that produce prescriptions programs, team-based health care delivery and remote patient monitoring has a statistically significant impact on a patient’s overall health.
November 19, 2025
Clemson Experimental Forest gets new name and strategic plan
The name change reinforces the forest’s full role as a University-managed resource that supports Clemson’s land-grant mission and also recognizes the forest’s value as a recreational and educational asset for the broader community, according to Rob Baldwin, executive director of the Clemson University Forest.
Clemson University President James P. Clements announces retirement
Following 12 years of transformational leadership and service, Clemson University President James P. Clements announced his decision to retire as president, effective December 31.
“We are incredibly grateful for Jim’s extraordinary leadership and tireless dedication,” said Board of Trustees Chair Kim Wilkerson. “President Clements has been more than a leader — he has been a mentor, a friend and an advocate for every member of the Clemson Family.”
Under his leadership, Clemson achieved record enrollment, historic fundraising, national recognition for academic excellence and transformative growth across its campuses. Provost Bob Jones was appointed interim president effective January 1.
