Advancement

N.C. resident leaves $1.2 million to Clemson University

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Clemson University has received a bequest of more than $1.2 million from the estate of the late Caroline Barton Caughman, formerly of Pinehurst, N.C. The gift will be used to establish a university scholarship endowment and to benefit the library.

Most of the gift – $1,155,000 – establishes the Kenneth and Caroline Caughman Memorial Endowment Fund, which will be used for undergraduate student scholarships. The remaining $90,000 will create the Kenneth “Ken” G. Caughman Jr. ’48 and Caroline Barton Caughman Quasi-Endowment for the Library, which will provide operating funds for R.M. Cooper Library.

“The Caughmans have left a legacy that will benefit generations of future Clemson students,” said Clemson President James F. Barker. “Planned gifts like this bequest are the reason why Clemson exists today. Like our founders Thomas Green and Anna Calhoun Clemson, the Caughmans must have placed a high value on education, and we appreciate them for having the forethought to plan this bequest.”

In addition to the scholarship, a library study room is named in memory of Caughman.

“A gift to support the library is really a gift that benefits all students. Unlike some classroom buildings on campus, it is a place where you will find students of all levels and majors on any given day,” said Kay Wall, dean of libraries. “Despite the fact that many resources can be accessed electronically, the library is still a very important place to students, faculty and community patrons. With more than one million patrons per year, it is very much the heart of Clemson’s campus.”

Caroline was the widow of Clemson alumnus Kenneth Gladstone Caughman, who earned his mechanical engineering degree in 1948. Born in Hartwell, Ga., she grew up in Anderson, and worked for Southern Bell Telephone Company before marrying Kenneth in 1947. The two were married 51 years.

Kenneth, a World War II Air Force veteran, spent most of his career as an engineer with DuPont. In 1971, the Caughmans moved to Texas, where Kenneth became president and part owner of Carruth Dishman construction company. Upon his retirement in 1984, the couple moved to Pinehurst, N.C.

The Caughmans were avid supporters of Clemson athletics and IPTAY members for more than 30 years.

“Ken was a true Tiger fan. He was fanatical about Clemson, and that rubbed off on my sister,” said Don Barton, Caroline Caughman’s brother. “Caroline became very devoted to Clemson, just as Ken was.”

This gift is part of Clemson’s The Will to Lead capital campaign to raise $1 billion to support students and faculty with scholarships, professorships and improved facilities and technology.

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