The Clemson University ClemsonLIFE ™ program graduated 19 students during its recent commencement ceremony, which was held April 25 at NewSpring Church of Clemson.
ClemsonLIFE is a post-secondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities that prioritizes job skills and independent living. The recent ceremony allowed graduates to attend with faculty, staff, family and friends to celebrate the accomplishments of its new alumni.
Among these 19 graduates were eight graduates of ClemsonLIFE’s hospitality certificate program. This employment-based, two-year program combines classroom and employment experience to prepare students for employment in the hospitality industry.
The program welcomed special guests to the ceremony, including Clemson University Interim President Robert H. Jones, Provost Cole Smith, College of Education Dean Kristin Gehsmann, Executive Director and Sue Stanzione Distinguished Professorship for ClemsonLIFE Joseph Ryan and ClemsonLIFE Program Director Erica Walters.
Shawn Poppie, Clemson Women’s Basketball Coach, delivered the ceremony’s commencement address. The audience was filled with donors, community business partners and the Clemson students, including members of sororities and fraternities, whose enthusiasm and encouragement created a joyful atmosphere of support.
Learn more about all of the ClemsonLIFE graduates and what they have planned after graduation.
Basic Program Graduates
Dylan King
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Plans after College: I am moving to Austin to live in the Best Buddies Inclusive Living- Austin. I will be working, living with roommates and keeping a full social calendar!
Edward Tabakin
Montville, New Jersey
Plans After College: I am moving to New Jersey and plan on getting a job with the goal of moving closer to my siblings in New York.
Brooks Taylor
Saint Helena Island, South Carolina
Plans After College: I am moving back to Saint Helena and plan on having a job and getting involved in the community!
Andrew Yeager
Austin, Texas
Plans After College: I am moving to Austin to live in the Best Buddies Inclusive Living – Austin. I will be working, living with roommates and keeping a full social calendar!
Advanced Program Graduates
Jordan Cross
High Point, North Carolina
Plans After College: I am moving to Orlando and got a job with the Disney College program working in the parks and living with roommates! I am so excited – Disney is my dream job!
Daniel Doran
Newton, Massachusetts
Plans After College: I am attending the Hospitality Certificate Program at ClemsonLIFE, living independently and working toward my goal of working at a restaurant.
Liam Egan
Suwanee, Georgia
Plans After College: I am moving to Atlanta, Georgia living with roommates and I want to work at a cool pizza place while living on my own and getting involved in the community!
Matthew Lee
Fulton, Maryland
Plans After College: I am moving to Greenville to live with my friends and work in the restaurant industry. I will be in the ACES program that supports ClemsonLIFE alumni.
Charlie McGee
Newport Beach, California
Plans After College: I am going to move to Newport Beach and plan to work at a gym and get my own apartment. I also hope to get involved in advocacy!
Mary Elizabeth McNair
Greenville, South Carolina
Plans After College: I am moving back to Greenville to live with a roommate! My goal is to work at a boutique downtown as well as the Children’s Hospital.
Timothy VanHeusen
Ballston Lake, New York
Plans After College: I am living in Clemson with my friends and will be in the Hospitality Certificate Program to work toward my goal of working in a restaurant!
Hospitality Certificate Graduates
Garrett Anz
Waco, Texas
Plans After College: I am staying in Clemson to work in the hospitality industry.
Jon Wesley Barber
Greenville, South Carolina
Plans After College: I am moving to Greenville and will be a part of the ClemsonLIFE ACES program. I plan to work in a restaurant in downtown Greenville.
Alex Eveland
Guilford, Connecticut
Plans After College: I am moving to Greenville to be in the ClemsonLIFE ACES program and work in a restaurant kitchen working alongside the chefs!
Chris Garcia
Cibolo, Texas
Plans After College: I plan to continue living in Clemson and have a busy career in the restaurant industry.
Liam Higgins
Braintree, Massachusetts
A Plans After College: I am moving to Greenville to be a part of the ClemsonLIFE ACES program. I want to work in the restaurant industry and volunteer in the Greenville community.
Katherine Jones
Louisville, Kentucky Plans After College: I plan to stay in Clemson and work at Delish Sisters as a server.
Zachary Kroeger
Greensboro, North Carolina
Plans After College: I am staying in Clemson to continue working in the hotel industry.
Tabitha Moran
Six Mile, South Carolina
Plans After College: I am living in Clemson with one of my best friends. I want to continue working in local restaurants and grow as a hospitality professional.
