A Word from Dean Richard Goodstein – September 2014

September 10, 2014

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The start of the academic year is always a time of renewed energy and enthusiasm. Whether it’s Tiger Band beginning band camp, the buzz of students and faculty returning to campus or the lack of parking, one can’t help but get excited about the new year in Tigertown (and fall weather to come).

Clemson begins its 122^nd academic year with more than 3,400 freshmen and 1,200 transfer students on-campus. Off-campus, we welcome back our students, faculty and staff in our Greenville, Charleston, Genoa and Barcelona programs. There is a special excitement on campus this fall with construction projects throughout campus including the Watt Family Innovation Center and the core campus replacement of Johnstone and Harcombe Dining Hall and plans being finalized for the Douthit Hills housing development. Additionally, several new parking lot improvements and other beautification projects are nearing completion.

Many of you may have seen the news that Clemson University is ranked #20 in public universities in the U.S. News and World Report rankings that were released this week. This achievement and attainment of the university’s 2020 vision is due in no small part to the outstanding work being accomplished in CAAH.

This is also a fitting tribute to President Emeritus and Professor of Architecture Jim Barker’s inspired efforts over the past 14 years. He set this goal upon taking the presidency, and it is gratifying for his leadership to be recognized with this achievement.

The U.S. News and World Report recognizes Clemson’s initiatives in “writing in the disciplines” for the 12th consecutive year, and identifies the University as one of 11 institutions of higher learning in the nation that “make writing a priority across all disciplines.” This recognition points directly to the work being done in CAAH and the outstanding work in all disciplines, including the Department of English and the Pearce Center for Professional Communication.

The College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities is hosting a series of events this year exploring race and the university. We hope to engage the campus with a series of events, exhibitions and discussions with the goal of creating greater awareness of our history as it relates to race and diversity. I hope you will join us in some of these activities.

The Brooks Center and Department of Performing Arts recently hosted Work Light Productions technical rehearsals of George and Ira Gershwin’s Nice Work If You Can Get It. The cast and crew spent two weeks at the Brooks Center in preparation for their upcoming national tour. Fifteen Clemson students served as production interns for the rehearsals and six Clemson alumni have full-time positions with Work Light. Congratulations to the faculty and staff for this real-life internship and student engagement opportunity.

As the fall semester and football season is off and running, I hope to see you at an upcoming alumni event, football game, Lee Hall exhibition, Brooks Center production, lecture or other event sponsored by the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities. It’s a great time to be at Clemson.

Thank you and Go Tigers,

Rick