Nieri Family Challenge to elevate Construction and Real Estate Development education

Clemson University’s Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development is poised for a transformative leap forward thanks to a generous challenge gift from Michael and Robyn Nieri and their family. Through the Nieri Family Challenge, the Clemson Family is invited to join in shaping the future of one of the nation’s top construction and real estate development programs. The Nieri family will match 50 cents for every dollar raised, up to $6.39 million, ensuring that gifts have an even greater impact on the program’s success.
“Our family is excited to be a part of the great future of this program,” said Michael Nieri. “Clemson played a pivotal role in my success, and we want to ensure that future generations have even greater opportunities to thrive in this industry.”

The Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development has gained national recognition, recently securing first place at the 2024 Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Management Competition. The department’s undergraduate construction science and management program has also maintained a 100% job placement rate for undergraduates majoring in construction science and management over the past decade, making it one of the most sought-after programs in the country.

“The Nieri family’s influence on our students and programs continues to be profound. Their generosity has been an inspiration to other supporters and our thriving corporate partners program alike. Most importantly, Michael Nieri is a shining example for our students of how to use their construction science and management degree to achieve an incredible level of success in the construction industry and to create opportunities for future Clemson Tigers,” said Ece Erdogmus, founding dean for the College of Architecture, Art and Construction.
But with the growing demand for skilled professionals, there’s more work to do. The Nieri Family Challenge will help:

• Build a new facility with state-of-the-art learning spaces, technology, and hands-on training opportunities

• Expand scholarships to make a Clemson education more accessible to future industry leaders
• Establish endowed faculty positions to attract top educators and strengthen the program’s academic excellence
• Increase student enrollment to meet the industry’s demand for highly skilled graduates

The Nieri Family Challenge is an invitation for alumni, industry partners, and supporters of Clemson University to invest in the next generation of leaders in construction and real estate development.

“The Nieri Family Challenge represents the very best of the Clemson spirit — dedication, generosity and a commitment to shaping the future,” said Brian O’Rourke, Vice President of Advancement. “We are deeply grateful to the Nieri family for their leadership and vision, and we look forward to seeing the lasting impact of this challenge on Clemson, the next generation of construction and real estate development professionals and the industry as a whole.”

This latest challenge gift builds upon the Nieri family’s longstanding commitment to Clemson University. Starting in 2015, the Nieris donated a $2.5 million Athletic Cornerstone Gift to create the Nieri Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center. Additionally, in 2019, Michael and Robyn Nieri made an academic Cornerstone gift of $5 million to name the Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development, which was the first named department in the College of Architecture, Art and Construction. In 2024, the Nieri family made a transformative $12.5 million gift, which resulted in the naming of the Nieri Family Alumni and Visitors Center. Now, with the addition of the $6.39 million Nieri Family Challenge, these contributions create a significant $18.89 million milestone mirroring the $1.889 billion goal of the Fiercely Forward campaign. With a lifetime giving total of over $26 million, the Nieris’ generosity represents a historic investment in Clemson’s future, strengthening its leadership in construction and real estate education and inspiring others to support the next generation of industry leaders.

Click here to learn more or to join the challenge.

About the Nieri Family

Michael Nieri, a 1986 Clemson graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science and Management, is a nationally recognized leader in the homebuilding industry. In 2004, he founded Great Southern Homes, an Irmo-based company that quickly rose to prominence, ranking 44th among the nation’s largest homebuilders by BUILDER magazine in 2020. In 2023, he took the company public, launching United Homes Group, which was honored as BUILDER Magazine’s 2024 Builder of the Year just one year later.

Nieri’s contributions to the housing industry and philanthropy have earned him numerous accolades. He was inducted into the S.C. Housing Hall of Fame in 2018 and was named Builder of the Year twice by the Building Industry Association (BIA). In 2020, he received the Hearthstone Humanitarian Award from BUILDER magazine, a national honor recognizing home builders with a lifetime commitment to public service. He also formerly served as president of the BIA Charitable Foundation. In 2021, Clemson University recognized his outstanding leadership and service with its highest alumni honor, the Distinguished Service Award.

Robyn Nieri, a 1989 graduate of East Carolina University, earned her degree in Child Development and Family Relations, with minors in Child Psychology and Social Welfare. She began her career as a director for Columbia-based GLEAMNS Head Start centers, a community organization dedicated to helping low-income individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency.

Robyn has long been a passionate supporter of Clemson University, but that interest deepened during her children’s time as students and continues to grow each year. She plays an active role in the Clemson community, supporting Dabo Swinney’s “All In Ball” and serving on the University’s Committee on Philanthropy. In recognition of her dedication, the Clemson Alumni Association honored her in 2020 as an Honorary Alumna of Clemson University.

The Nieris have three children: Pennington, Maigan and Patrick. All three received their degrees from Clemson. Pennington graduated in construction science and management in 2015. Maigan Nieri Lincks graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in marketing and Patrick graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Construction science. The Nieris devotion has continued across the generations. Their children and their spouses Pennington ’15 and wife Katie ’15; daughter Maigan ’18 and husband Rob Lincks; son Patrick ’19 and wife Jessica ’19 are active volunteers with the University and enjoy bringing their own children to Clemson events.