Doug and Caroline Davidson of Johns Creek, Georgia have been named recipients of the 2023 Herb Coughlan Memorial Family of the Year award, which is presented annually to a family who demonstrates dynamic leadership and service to Clemson University.
Doug Davidson is a leader in the construction industry and his involvement with Clemson dates back several years as a member of multiple boards connected to the Division of Student Affairs. He also has two children who have graduated from Clemson, Diana ’18 and Douglas ’23. The Davidsons were honored during the first quarter of the Tiger football game on Saturday, Nov. 18 against North Carolina.
“I’m honored and blessed by how good Clemson has been to my two children,” he says. “Their character and confidence are the result of what they’ve done while at Clemson.”
A generous gift a few years ago set the foundation for one of Clemson’s two newest spaces for intramural and club sports at the Snow Complex, the Davidson Family Field. A kickoff event was held Friday, Nov. 17 with a ribbon-cutting followed by a game of intramural soccer. In FY23, more than 5,200 students participated in intramural sports—an incredible testament to their popularity at Clemson.
“As a construction professional, seeing this field being utilized what it was designed for is special,” he says. “We hope this new field creates fellowship for students and enhances their experiences. We’re excited to be a part of it.”
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Chris Miller offered remarks at Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony and presented the Family of the Year plaque the following day.
“As we move through this life journey, we have the good fortune of meeting people from different places,” Miller says. “You rarely meet people who are genuinely righteous, but the Davidsons are just that. They’ve chosen to invest in our students and invest in legacy, and we as an institution are incredibly fortunate and blessed they chose Clemson.”