Kelly and Ed Rose of Charleston, South Carolina were named 2021 recipients of the Herb Coughlan Memorial Family of the Year. The award has been presented annually — with the exception of 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19 — by the Clemson Family Advisory Board (CFAB) since 2001. It is given to a family who has demonstrated dynamic leadership and service to Clemson University.
Kelly Rose is a past chair of CFAB, serving in the position in 2019 and 2020. CFAB is a group of dedicated parents who significantly assist the university as it strives to meet educational and developmental needs of students, while also addressing family needs for involvement, information and support. Kelly also serves as a member of the Advocacy & Engagement Board for the College of Business.
“We are incredibly honored and humbled by this award,” said Kelly Rose. “We are just so happy to have any kind of positive impact on our Clemson Tigers and other young students.”
Kelly is a 1984 Clemson graduate in financial management. She held multiple leadership positions within Alpha Delta Pi during her time at Clemson, including chapter presidency as a senior. Ed is also a 1984 Clemson graduate, earning a degree in civil engineering.
Together, the two have made financial contributions to the University to benefit the Samuel J. Cadden Chapel, P.A.W. Journey and the Powers College of Business. Additionally, Ed serves as a mentor for student-athletes in the P.A.W. Journey program and is a member of the Dean’s Leadership Circle for the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences.
Their children joined them on the field prior to Saturday’s game against Georgia Tech. Erin, their daughter, graduated from Clemson in 2020 with a degree in marketing. Their son, Carter, is a senior mechanical engineering major.
“We are indebted to Kelly and the Rose family for the impact they continue to make on this great University,” said Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Chris Miller. “They are so very deserving of this award, and we were happy to honor them in front of so many appreciative Clemson supporters on Saturday.”