Meet a Tiger: Ann Smith

This Tiger sees Give Day as a chance for the university to create professorships and scholarships, to attract the best educators and students and to offer cutting-edge facilities for an innovative learning environment. Together, she says, the Clemson family can make a difference in just 24 hours.

Meet Ann Smith.

Title: Senior Director, Annual Giving

Years at Clemson: 36

What I do at Clemson: I raise private support through annual gifts to Clemson. My department is responsible for soliciting all members of the Clemson Family for annual gifts to Clemson, whether that is through direct mail, our student phonathon, electronic means or connecting individually with our alumni and friends. Private gifts to Clemson benefit all areas of the campus and are critical for the annual operation of the university.

I would like to encourage all members of the Clemson Family to support the University at any level on Give Day. We’re hoping to reach our goal of 3,600 participants who can make a difference in just 24 hours! Your participation will make a positive impact on student scholarships, the creation of professorships, and our ability to offer cutting-edge facilities, all of which contribute to an innovative learning environment.

What I love about Clemson: Absolutely everything. The students, my fellow alumni, my Clemson Family, my friends, my work, my memories as a student and employee, my ring, my diplomas and the campus. The list is endless.

My defining moment at Clemson: My first day of class in 1978.

Accomplishment I’m most proud of: First, raising two very fine sons and hundreds of Clemson students. Second, reaching number three in the U.S. News & World Report national rankings for alumni participation, which indicates the number of alumni who give back annually to Clemson. Our staff and volunteers had worked so hard and it paid off to see that national ranking.

On a personal note, my father, Louis Batson, served on Clemson’s board of trustees for many years. He was board chairman during one of my graduations, and as I walked on the stage to receive my diploma, I was proud that he was present to hand it to me. My diploma also bears his signature. Not many graduates had that experience.

Where I see myself in five years: Probably right here.

Last thing I watched on TV: A documentary on Formula One self-funded race car drivers.

Guilty pleasure: Art and shoes.

One thing most people don’t know about me: I love to arrange flowers and host friends and family in my home.

Meet more Tigers here, and check out #FacesOfClemson on Instagram.