If you know one thing about Clemson University’s ClemsonLIFE program, it’s that joy permeates everything in its orbit.
Such was the case one early Friday evening earlier this month. Students in the latest cohort to graduate from the College of Education’s acclaimed program for young adults with intellectual disabilities received their graduation stoles during a raucous celebration in the open-air event space on the roof of the Shepherd Hotel in downtown Clemson.
For the second year, Class of 1993 Clemson graduates Ward and Kelly Axford Carson also attended the gala to present each graduate with an additional gift: custom-made Clemson blazers from their company, Pearce Bespoke Charlotte-Carolinas, which specializes in custom suits, sport coats, jeans, trousers, dress shirts and polos.
The chic dark purple jackets boast subtle Clemson Orange finishes on the pocket flaps, cuffs, and lapels, with Clemson Tiger Paw linings, the ClemsonLIFE logo, and their names embroidered on the inside.
“We get a lot of requests from people who want to buy these specific jackets, but we don’t sell them,” says Ward. “They are exclusively for ClemsonLIFE graduates.”
Ward and Kelly, who earned degrees in political science and management with a concentration in finance, respectively, got into the custom suit trade by way of their careers.
“We wore a few suits ourselves for our corporate jobs,” jokes Kelly. “We always had our own made custom, so by the time the opportunity to buy the franchise came up, it was the perfect fit – no pun intended.”
It was their son, Will Carson, a 2024 business graduate, however, who came up with the idea to use their unique resources to give ClemsonLIFE graduates one-of-a-kind blazers that can be worn to job interviews, church services, speaking engagements and any other event in their lives that calls for professional wear.
“We were looking for a meaningful way to give back to our alma mater, and Will came up with the perfect way to do it,” says Ward, noting that part of the corporate mission of the Pearce-Bespoke franchise includes local charitable work, much of it focused on wounded warriors and people with disabilities.
The Carsons created the original design for the jackets with Erica Walters, director of ClemsonLIFE. Walters says the jackets are more than just clothing: They instill confidence and a sense of belonging to a group of people who might otherwise find it difficult to fit into the bustling post-collegiate world.
“Having Ward and Kelly give of their hearts like this is so special. These aren’t just like any blazers – they came and fitted everybody like they were VIP’s,” she says. “It’s not just about celebrating our graduates but sending them on to the next level of success. They will be out there interviewing for jobs and moving on with their lives, and representing the University and ClemsonLIFE dressed to the nines.”
Back at the graduation gala, the late afternoon breeze whipped hair into crazy shapes as it blew through the crowd, which grew to more than one hundred strong, forming a ring around the Shepherd Hotel rooftop. Cheers erupted for each graduate as they made their grand entrance through the elevator doorway and walked into the center of the circle. Some entered like gladiators, unable to contain their excitement, posing and calling to the crowd. Others were a bit more reserved. All received roaring ovations.
The ceremony became a little more serious as the Carsons began handing out the jackets from a rack they wheeled into the event. Ward helped all eighteen graduates into their new garments, one by one, and placed their ClemsonLIFE stoles around their necks. The two pieces look great together – the sharpest ensemble in Tigertown. And guests could can see a transformation in each wearer’s eyes as it touched their shoulders.
“This is now my favorite event of the year. It’s been a wonderful experience for us,” says Ward. “But more importantly, it is an incredible opportunity to spend time with these students as they prepare to take the next step in their journey. We’re very grateful to be a small part of it.”
