A new endowment from Milliken Advisors is creating expanded opportunities for students in Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, strengthening hands-on learning in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation.
Designed to provide real-world, experiential opportunities, the Milliken Advisors Endowment will support students as they prepare for careers in forestry, land management and environmental conservation. Through field-based learning, internships and applied research, the fund ensures students gain practical experience that directly connects classroom knowledge to industry needs.
“In the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, we are constantly seeking ways for students to benefit from learning experiences that can happen outside of the classroom since we know how much those activities contribute to personal and professional growth,” said Kyle Barrett, interim chair and professor in the department.
“The endowment from Milliken Advisors will open a wide variety of opportunities that otherwise may not have been available to our students. Further, when we can provide these sorts of benefits to our students, it helps us ensure that we are training the next generation of natural resource managers in a way that is second to none.”
Milliken Advisors has been a trusted partner to landowners for more than 70 years, providing forest asset management and consulting services across the Southeast. The company, which evolved from Milliken Forestry Company in 2022, has expanded its work beyond traditional forestry to include nature-based solutions such as carbon markets, water quality, renewable energy and conservation planning.
Today, the firm manages and advises on nearly one million acres of land across South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, helping landowners balance economic goals with environmental stewardship.
This commitment to both commerce and conservation is at the heart of the company’s investment in Clemson students.
Milliken Advisors’ president and CEO, Thurston “Trip” Chavis III, has a deep personal connection to Clemson. A 1994 graduate of Clemson’s forest resource management program, Chavis has built a career spanning more than two decades in the forestry and land management industry.
Under his leadership, Milliken Advisors has broadened its services to include innovative, sustainability-focused solutions, positioning the company at the forefront of modern forestry practices.
“At Milliken Advisors, our work is rooted in the long-term stewardship of land and natural resources, a responsibility that has evolved significantly since my time at Clemson,” Chavis said. “Today’s forestry and land management professionals need a broader perspective that extends beyond the classroom. Experiential learning is essential, giving students real-world exposure to balance commerce, conservation and long-term impact. Supporting Clemson is a meaningful way for us to invest in the next generation of leaders who will steward South Carolina’s forests with both confidence and perspective.”
The Milliken Advisors Endowment will focus on enhancing hands-on experiences that are essential to forestry education. Students in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation will benefit from opportunities such as:
- Fieldwork and applied learning in forest ecosystems
- Exposure to emerging areas like carbon markets and conservation finance
- Collaboration with industry professionals
- Career development experiences that bridge academics and practice
By emphasizing experiential learning, the endowment aligns closely with Clemson’s land-grant mission and the CAFLS’ commitment to prepare graduates who can address complex environmental challenges.
As demand for sustainable land management and innovative environmental solutions grows, the need for well-trained forestry professionals continues to rise. Through this endowment, Milliken Advisors is helping Clemson cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of natural resources.
“Students who graduate after completing internships and other collaborative experiences with industry and agency partners can immediately contribute to workplace productivity and innovation,” Barrett said. “Our students are taught by some of the very best natural resources professors in the country. This endowment allows us to complement that teaching by providing more students with opportunities to put lessons into practice. We believe that students benefiting from these additional experiential learning experiences will be exceptionally competitive in the job market.”
With strong ties to Clemson and a forward-looking vision for the industry, Milliken Advisors’ investment reflects a shared commitment to education, sustainability and the stewardship of natural resources.
