Clemson held its annual Service Member and Veteran Graduation Celebration on Tuesday, May 6 in the Almeda Jacks Ballrooms of Hendrix Student Center. Undergraduate and graduate students were recognized for their service to the United States military and for preparing to graduate from Clemson in its Spring and Summer Commencement ceremonies. Honorees were presented red, white and blue cords to wear atop their graduation regalia.
“Military heritage is who we are; it’s part of our DNA as an institution,” says Vice President for Student Affairs Doug Hallenbeck. “Clemson is one of the most rigorous academic institutions in this part of the country. To be able to graduate from Clemson is special, and we are proud to honor our military-connected graduating students for this high achievement.”
The Office of Military & Veteran Engagement (M&VE) led a program that included keynote remarks from Secretary Todd McCaffrey of the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs (SCDVA). McCaffrey was named to his role in 2023 and is a veteran of the United States Army, serving for more than 30 years before retiring as a major general.
“I remain awestruck by the culture of veteran and military friendliness expressed at Clemson,” McCaffrey says. “I visit a lot of universities, and there is something unique here. This is a top-tier university, and to graduate from Clemson is a challenge. It speaks to the qualities I like to highlight among our military community. Veterans are highly valued in the workforce because of three unique factors: self-discipline, dedication to the team and experience being trained in something new. We look forward to the continuing contributions of these graduates to our state and nation.”
Military Academic Program Earns Gold from SCDVA
Clemson University was presented with a certificate of gold grade from the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs for its military academic program, the highest grade available. Secretary Todd McCaffrey made the announcement during his keynote remarks, adding that Clemson earned the gold level because of its “commitment to veterans and military-connected students to achieving academic and professional goals.” Clemson was previously ranked as the No. 2 Military Friendly® School this spring among Tier 1 research institutions.
Outstanding Student Veteran Award
Brian Ruete received the Spring 2025 Outstanding Student Veteran Award, which is presented annually to a student who has made a remarkable impact on campus in service to veterans and displayed admirable leadership to military-connected peers. Ruete is a member of both the Student Veterans Association and SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society, and recently earned a graduate assistantship in adaptive sports in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management.
Military Student Leadership Awards
M&VE awarded four students with Military Leadership Awards, which provides $500 to each recipient for building community to overcome challenges that veterans and military-connected students face: Andrea Cerda, Will Durham, Brian Ruete and Dante’ Winfield.
Veteran Impact Award
Peyton Bade-Snead (Fall 2024) and Jairad Hydrick (Spring 2025) were recipients of the Veteran Impact Award. The award is presented annually to individuals who have made positive impacts on the student veteran population and for helping build a veteran-inclusive campus at Clemson. Bade-Snead serves as the assistant director for events in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. She is the office’s designated liaison to military applicants and also serves as vice chair of the University’s veterans commission. Hydrick serves as assistant dean of students and director of the Office of Advocacy and Success. He provides support to Military and Veteran Engagement and assists military-connected students through CARE referral support systems.
Doctoral and Master’s Graduates
Jermaine Johnson
• Architecture
• Native of Columbia, South Carolina served more than six years in the United States Army as a satellite communications systems operator
• Member of several campus organizations, including Graduate Student Government
Tara King
• Corporate MBA
• Native of Nevada, Iowa served six years in the United States Air Force as a senior airman in charge of ground radio maintenance
Amanda Nicks
• Architecture (historic preservation)
• Native of Lewiston, Michigan served more than five years in the United States Navy as a second class petty officer
Teddi Palmer
• Athletic leadership
• Native of Albany, New York currently serves in the National Guard as a sergeant in human resources
• Member of SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society
Brandi Thompson
• Human resource development
• Native of Eastover, South Carolina served seven years in the United States Navy as a second class petty officer and operations specialist
Bachelor’s Graduates
Roy Dail
• Middle level education
• Native of Easley, South Carolina served five years in the United States Marine Corps as a sergeant and maintainer for ground electronics transmissions systems
• Member of Call Me MISTER® and tutor with the Academic Success Center
Skyler Gilbert
• Management (information systems)
• Native of Greenville, South Carolina served four years in the United States Marine Corps as a corporal and infantryman
• Member of SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society
Joshua Goldston
• Political science
• Native of Manhattan Beach, California served five years in the United States Army as a corporal and infantryman
• Member of SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society
Seton Hall
• Biological sciences
• Native of Summerville, South Carolina served six years in the United States Navy as a second class petty officer and avionics electrician
• Member of SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society
Sean McNamara
• Construction science management
• Native of Somerville, New Jersey served five years in the United States Marine Corps as a sergeant and communications specialist
Andrew Patterson
• Computer science
• Native of San Diego, California served four years in the United States Army as an E4 specialist and unmanned aircraft systems operator
Brian Ruete
• Parks, recreation and tourism management (sport management)
• Native of Damascus, Maryland served more than 12 years in the United States Army as an E4 staff sergeant and combat infantryman
• Member of SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society and Student Veterans Association
• Received the Distinguished Ethics Scholar Medallion
Quinn Sullivan
• Industrial engineering
• Native of Long Island, New York currently serving in the South Carolina Army National Guard as a private first class and combat engineer
• Serves as coach of the Clemson Crew team
Carl Tuck
• Computer engineering
• Native of Spartanburg, South Carolina served six years in the United States Navy as a second class petty officer and aviation boatswain’s mate
• Member of SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society