Students host ‘Samapalooza’ to raise money for campus chapel

CLEMSON — Clemson University students will celebrate the life of Sam Cadden and raise money for construction of the Samuel J. Cadden Chapel this weekend at the second annual “Samapalooza.”

Events include the Cadden Classic Golf Tournament, social time at the Study Hall rooftop and a concert and silent auction at the Esso Club.

The Samuel J. Cadden Chapel will provide students, faculty and staff with a quiet space for reflection and meditation, as well as a place for the celebration and remembrance of Clemson students. Cadden, a financial management major from Richmond, Virginia, died in a 2015 automobile accident.

His parents gave $1.5 million to establish the chapel. Clemson trustees last month allocated $175,000 to begin design of the non-denominational chapel. The total cost is estimated to be $5 million to be funded with private gifts. It is expected to open in 2020.

Samapalooza starts at noon Friday with the golf tournament at the Walker Course. At 5 p.m., “Proceeds Night” begins at TD’s on College Avenue. There will be social time from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Study Hall downtown followed at 7 p.m. with the concert and silent auction at the Esso Club.

“Last year, the weekend raised more than $30,000 for the Samuel J. Cadden Chapel, and we are hoping to be an even greater success this year,” said Katie Quinn, an English and communication major and event organizer. “The weekend is in remembrance of Sam, as well as other Tigers who so unfortunately passed away before their graduation dates.”

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