Inside Clemson

Inside NOW: Clemson honors two trustees with Clemson Medallion; call for nominations: Women’s Commission awards; PARKING/TRANSIT: Parking Lot Closures Due to Campus Events

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1.  Clemson honors two trustees with Clemson Medallion
2.  Call for nominations: Women’s Commission awards
3.  PARKING/TRANSIT: Parking Lot Closures Due to Campus Events
4.  Clemson professor interviewed on Anderson Cooper Live
5.  Summer program opportunities for children of Clemson faculty, staff and graduate students
6.  Leaving his mark: George Bennett began many of the customs that the Clemson family holds dear
7.  Seeking volunteer coach for women’s club basketball
8. Clemson University Conference Center & Inn: Recapture the Romance with your special Valentine in February!

1. Clemson honors two trustees with Clemson Medallion

Clemson University is honoring two long-serving trustees —Thomas B. McTeer Jr. of Columbia and Joseph D. Swann of Greenville — with the university’s highest public honor, the Clemson Medallion.

The Clemson Medallion is presented to individuals who have rendered notable and significant service and support to Clemson University and who exemplify the dedication and foresight of university founder Thomas Green Clemson.

“These two gentlemen have devoted so much of their lives to Clemson. From the time they were students, they have been leaders for this university, and it is a great honor to be able to recognize them for their dedication,” said university President James F. Barker. “Clemson would not be the university it is today without their hard work and leadership.”

McTeer, a native of Early Branch in Hampton County, graduated from Clemson in 1960 with a degree in industrial management. Though he has been a Tiger fan since childhood, McTeer almost ended up a Gamecock.

“I was originally going to Carolina on a football scholarship, but at the last minute, Coach Frank Howard offered me a scholarship, so I packed my bags and came to Clemson,” he said.

During his time at Clemson, McTeer was involved with student government, serving as vice president of the senior class and also as vice president of the Central Dance Association. He was a member of Tiger Brotherhood and Blue Key Honor Society, played football and ran track. After graduation, McTeer went into a career in real estate. He is president of McTeer Real Estate Inc. in Columbia. He uses his expertise and experience as a member of Clemson’s Real Estate Foundation board.

McTeer credits two former trustees — the late Jim Self of Greenwood and the late P.W. McAlister of Laurens — with fostering his interest to join the board of trustees.

“The thought had never entered my mind,” McTeer said. “Jim Self was the one who really got me thinking about it.”

McTeer was elected to the board in 1976. He retired in 2012 after 35 years of service, making him one of the longest-serving trustees in Clemson’s history.

“The things Clemson is doing now, nobody envisioned back then,” he said. “We had no idea what this university was capable of. So much of our success goes back to the vision Thomas Green Clemson laid out in his will. He was such a visionary in his time. You don’t see many true visionaries, but he was one.”

All three of McTeer’s daughters graduated from Clemson, as well as one of his grandchildren. One grandchild is currently enrolled, with another one planning to attend Clemson next year.

“Clemson has been a part of my entire life,” he said. “I can’t visualize what my life would be without Clemson. I can never repay Clemson for everything it’s done for me.”

Swann graduated from Clemson in 1963 with a degree in ceramic engineering. The Clio native said that he was a Tiger fan growing up, but that it was Clemson’s strong engineering programs that led him to the college.

As a student, Swann was involved with student government and was a member of the Numeral Society and Tiger Brotherhood. He wrote for the student newspaper, The Tiger, and for the engineering magazine, Slipstick. He served as president of his junior and senior classes.

“I was involved in many of the things that make Clemson a great student experience and learned a lot about self-discipline and leadership,” said Swann. “I was a student when Harvey Gantt enrolled in Clemson, and student government played a large part in working with Dean [Walter] Cox to make Clemson a more welcoming place for him.”

After graduation, Swann left South Carolina to work for Ferro Corp. in the ceramics industry in Cleveland. While there, he earned an MBA from Case Western Reserve University. He later took a job with Reliance Electric, where he held several positions in Ohio and Georgia before returning to South Carolina to live in Greenville in 1981. In 1995, Reliance Electric was acquired by Rockwell Automation, and Swann was named president of Rockwell Automation Power Systems and senior vice president of Rockwell Automation. He retired from the company as president in 2007.

Swann served on Clemson’s board of visitors and was elected to the board of trustees in 1990, with the encouragement of Trustee Emeritus Allen Wood. Like McTeer, Swann’s three children followed in his footsteps, all graduating from Clemson.

“For most of my life, I have attempted to thank Clemson for a great education and a solid start along life’s highway,” said Swann. “Clemson University is a very special place, and the Clemson family is very real and meaningful. It was important to me as a maturing student and helped me gain confidence and have the ability to lead in my business career.”

Swann said it is an exciting time to serve as a trustee for Clemson.

“I am a strong proponent of Clemson’s Top 20 goal and of its mission to help students learn to live healthy lives,” he said. “I strongly believe that as Clemson moves toward Top 20 status, we must ensure that Clemson will still be Clemson.”

The Clemson Medallion recognizes an individual who has had a long and sustained commitment and significant service to Clemson University. Recipients of the Clemson Medallion have earned the respect and admiration of people throughout the university family.

2. Call for nominations: Women’s Commission awards

The President’s Commission on the Status of Women annually honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to improve the status of women. These awards include:

  • Outstanding woman academic faculty member
  • Outstanding woman classified staff
  • Outstanding woman graduate student
  • Outstanding woman undergraduate student
  • Distinguished contributor
  • Thea McCrary Student Award for Outstanding Service, named in honor of the late Thea McCrary, former captain of the Clemson University Police Department and a former chair of the President’s Commission on the Status of Women

Complete nomination packets for all awards must be submitted to the Women’s Commission office in 603 Strode Tower by 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25.

Honorees will be recognized at a reception March 13.

Outstanding Woman; Outstanding Contributor

Recipients of the Outstanding Woman Awards are selected from the following categories: academic faculty, classified staff, graduate student and undergraduate. Honorees in the distinguished contributor category may be male or female alumni, senior administrators, unclassified staff, non-academic faculty, major gift donors or other individuals who have made significant contributions to improving the status of women.

Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Professional achievement within category
  • Service as a role model within the University
  • Service as a role model outside the University
  • Performance in “unique” circumstances of merit
  • Efforts to promote the status of women

To nominate an individual, submit a vita, resume or summary of activities (two-page maximum) and two letters of support, along with a completed nomination form, available at:
http://www.clemson.edu/womenscommission/awards.html.

Thea McCrary Student Award for Outstanding Service

This award honors a student who is engaged in public service or education on matters critical to the lives of women and society in general. Any student (male or female) who, during the previous academic year, has been engaged in community service may be nominated. The recipient will receive a $150 stipend.

To nominate an individual, submit a letter of nomination detailing the student’s service activities and two letters of recommendation, along with a completed nomination form, available at:
http://www.clemson.edu/administration/commissions/womenscommission/studentawards.html.

If you have questions or need additional information, contact Linda Tindal 864-656-1532 or ltindal@clemson.edu.

3. PARKING/TRANSIT: Parking Lot Closures Due to Campus Events

Section of C-11 parking lot (Brooks Center Lot) reserved Jan. 24 – 26

Beginning on Thursday, Jan. 24, one section of the white spaces within the Brooks Center parking lot will be reserved for the South Carolina Honor Band Participants. This reservation will be in place until Saturday, Jan 26.

E-13 (Sheep Barn) parking lot reserved Friday, Jan. 25

The Sheep Barn parking lot is reserved for the Clemson Parent’s Advisory Board Meeting on Friday, Jan 25. At the conclusion of the meeting, the lot will be reopened.

Aisles 1-3 of C-1 parking lot reserved Saturday, Jan. 26

The first three aisles of the C-1 parking lot are reserved for the Clemson Sports Car Club Autocross from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26. Permit holders are asked to vacate these aisles and refrain from parking in the area by 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25.

FREE Men’s Basketball Shuttle Sunday, Jan. 27

Clemson Athletics, in association with Clemson University Student Government and Parking & Transportation Services, will offer Tiger Transit shuttles from select locations on campus to Littlejohn Coliseum in effort to support Men’s Basketball. The service will be offered at all remaining Men’s Basketball home games. Shuttle service will begin two hours prior to tip-off and will run until one hour post-game. Look for the Tiger Transit stop sign at the following pick-up locations and times:

Littlejohn Coliseum                           (:00) (:20) (:40)
Fort Hill House                                   (:03) (:23) (:43)
Clemson House (Rear Entrance)    (:05) (:25) (:45)
Horseshoe (Bryan Circle)                 (:08) (:28) (:48)
Lightsey Bridge Commons               (:14) (:38) (:58)

For a complete schedule of Clemson Men’s Basketball games, visit www.clemsontigers.com.

4. Clemson professor interviewed on Anderson Cooper Live

Joseph Ryan, Associate Director of Research for Clemson University’s Eugene T. Moore School of Education was interviewed last week on Anderson Cooper Live regarding behavior management practices and policies in schools. He discussed the dangers associated with seclusion and restraint procedures with children, and emphasized the importance of parents knowing and understanding the discipline policies and procedures of the school their child attends.

See the Anderson Cooper Live segment on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej-3ehWW1Ho.

5.  Summer program opportunities for children of Clemson faculty, staff and graduate students

It’s never too early to think about summer. Registration is now open for Clemson University’s youth summer programs. Access more information about summer camps and programs at: clemson.edu/summer-scholars.

6.  Leaving his mark: George Bennett began many of the customs that the Clemson family holds dear

The sound of a cannon firing in Death Valley is music to a Tiger fan’s ears. Returning students anticipate the crowds of friends and classmates flooding downtown at the Welcome Back Festival. The $2 bills spent at away games signal pride for Clemson supporters. Most of us might think that whoever started these long-standing traditions is far-removed from Clemson by now.

On the contrary, that person is closer than you think. His name is George Bennett, and he works over in the Jervey Athletic Center.

He will admit that it wasn’t his top priority to make the highest grades on his tests as an undergrad here or to graduate with honors. “I felt like making friends and getting involved, what y’all call networking today, was more important,” Bennett said.

Although he is a Columbia native, home of archrival USC, Bennett’s connection to Clemson started when his family brought him to his first Clemson visit when he was 6. He hasn’t been able to stay away for long ever since.

He didn’t take much time applying to college because he only applied to Clemson. “There was never any doubt in my mind where I was going. I didn’t apply anywhere else. I didn’t even think about going anywhere else,” Bennett said.

His deep involvement during his time at Dreher High School led him to get involved right away at Clemson. He was elected president of the freshman class and was in company B4 — Clemson was an all-male military college at the time. Sophomore year he moved up to company B1 and went out for cheerleading. “That [cheerleading] was the furthest thing from my mind I would ever do,” Bennett commented. By his junior year, he was the first sergeant of company B1.

When he was head cheerleader, Bennett came up with the idea to fire a cannon for touchdowns. In fact, he and his father bought the first cannon.

Senior year, he was named the public information officer for the cadet corps and served on Senior Council. He was also made head cheerleader.

“That was probably the best thing that ever happened to me because once you stand up in front of 20,000 fans and lead cheers, you are never intimidated by anything else the rest of your life,” Bennett said.

His time as head cheerleader affects all those who go to Clemson football games today. Bennett came up with the idea to fire a cannon for touchdowns; a tradition that is still in good use currently. In fact, he and his father bought the first cannon.

Not only was he involved in Clemson’s military, student government and cheerleading, Bennett was also the president of the Blue Key Honor Society, a member of Tiger Brotherhood and president of the Central Dance Association.

Because Bennett was involved in many different organizations, school became secondary. He laughed at how this didn’t bother him as long as he would graduate.

Bennett graduated in 1955 and went straight into the U.S. Army, and he was later appointed as the Commander of the Honor Guard at Fort Knox. After two years, he decided to leave Fort Knox and apply to law school. Once he arrived home in Columbia, he decided that school wasn’t for him at that time and started searching for a job.

He landed a job in the Esso training station; he was transferred frequently and climbed positions rather quickly in the company. After being relocated to North Carolina, he met his wife, Nancy. They had two children, Jeffrey and Bonnie, and continued to move around the state for Bennett’s career. After years of working for Esso, he was promoted to the sales supervisor position over the entire west coast of Florida — providing a nice paycheck and a distant move to Tampa.

After seeing a job advertisement for a Clemson alumni field representative position in the alumni magazine, Bennett started to think that it might be time to find a place where his family could settle down. However, there was a significant decrease in pay that he had to consider. Nonetheless, he interviewed for the position and was offered the job. After a long conversation with his wife, they decided returning to Clemson was the right move.

In June of 1967, Bennett became Clemson’s first alumni field representative. Time passed and he was asked to move over to the athletic department and take over as the executive secretary of IPTAY. During his time in this position, he founded some of Clemson’s most honored traditions, such as the Welcome Back Festival and the $2 bills.

In 1979, Bennett took a job at Vanderbilt University as the associate athletic director. Nobody was more surprised than he was when he left Clemson. “It was one of those economic jobs you do in life. You don’t want to do this, but the money is too good to not do it,” Bennett explained.

Before returning to Clemson again in 1993, he served as the athletic director at Furman University and managed a foundation at Nashville’s Baptist Hospital. As difficult as it was to move his family around again, these jobs really opened his eyes to what was out there and how to be successful at fundraising.

“Bobby Robinson, Clemson’s athletic director at the time, called me and said, ‘Are you ready to come back home?’” Bennett said. Without an interview or copious paperwork, Bennett came back as the executive secretary of IPTAY.

In 2004, a fight with cancer sent him to Houston for treatment. He retired after recovering, but stayed in Clemson as an ambassador and historian for the athletic department.

Today, Bennett represents the athletic department at events and gives tours of the athletic facilities. At 79 years old, he does 60 tours a year for about 5,000 people of all ages. “Being here so long and knowing so many people, I have a lot of stories to tell. I have a speech that I start off with named, ‘73 years of Clemson memories, and I’m only 79,’ ” Bennett laughed.

After hearing this speech, it begged the question of what his favorite memory of Clemson is. “That would be impossible; it really would. That would just be completely impossible,” Bennett said.

There are too many memories to choose from. Clemson is a part of Bennett, but Bennett is also a part of Clemson. He has left his mark and continues to do so every day.

He said, “I love what Jim Barker says: We spend four years trying to get out of here and a lifetime trying to get back.” Bennett has found his way back, and with his family nearby and a fun job at his beloved alma mater, he is here to stay.

7.  Seeking volunteer coach for women’s club basketball

Clemson Women’s Club Basketball is looking for a volunteer coach! This student organization is looking for someone who is willing to donate their time to attend and lead practices twice a week in Fike, as well as travel to weekend tournaments as needed. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact the club president, Casey Cresbaugh at ccresba@clemson.edu.

8.  Clemson University Conference Center & Inn Recapture the Romance with your special Valentine in February!

Steal away for a romantic night at the James F. Martin Inn. Let the Clemson sunset and tranquil beauty of Hartwell Lake result in a night of relaxation and pampering at the leader among Clemson hotels.
Romance Package Includes:
~King executive suite overlooking Hartwell Lake or the Walker Golf Course
~Chocolate, champagne and roses in your room
~Dinner for two at Seasons by the Lake restaurant

The cost is $225 per night. For more information about this or other packages, visit http://www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/madren/inn/packages.html.

Upcoming events

Tunnel of Oppression Jan. 24
http://calendar.clemson.edu/event/tunnel_of_oppression#.UP7lbeghoZ4

Clemson Football Indoor Practice Facility Dedication and Open House Jan. 25
http://calendar.clemson.edu/event/clemson_football_indoor_practice_facility_dedication_and_open_house#.UP7mOOghoZ4

South Carolina Collegiate Honor Band Concert Jan. 26
http://calendar.clemson.edu/event/south_carolina_collegiate_honor_band_concert#.UPcRBLYhoZ5

Free, Non-competitive Martial Art Class Jan. 28 and Jan. 31
http://calendar.clemson.edu/event/free_non-competitive_martial_art_class_9782#.UP6wbmfPt8E

Art Exhibition “Contemporary Conversations: Part I” Now through Feb. 6
http://calendar.clemson.edu/event/art_exhibition_contemporary_conversations_part_i?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=Clemson+University