B-Note February 11, 2016
February 11, 2016
Greetings fellow Tigers!
It is such an exciting time to be a part of the Clemson family. I am constantly amazed at all that is being done to make Clemson even greater. One thing we are not doing is resting on our laurels!
Last week the Clemson University Board of Trustees heard positive reports on admissions, capital projects, academic restructuring and athletics during their quarterly meeting. It was a time to reflect and acknowledge Clemson’s past, present and future. President Clements presented a new strategic plan, Clemson Forward, which builds upon the 2020 RoadMap and will move the University into the future. The plan is built on four key foundations: Research, Engagement, Academics and Living.
While looking toward the future, it is also important to remember where we came from. The trustees adopted recommendations made by the task force on the history of Clemson. This task force was appointed to develop guidelines for how we can better tell the University’s complete history. The report recommends short-, medium-, and long-term strategies based on input from faculty, staff, students, alumni and other stakeholders throughout the fall of 2015.
During the trustees’ meeting President Clements posed the question that confirms our path to continuing excellence, “How do we make a great university even better?” Clemson Class of 1963 alumnus and Trustee, Joe Swann, and wife, Bobbi, are certainly doing their part. The Swann family recently added to their history of giving to Clemson with a Cornerstone Gift of $3.3 million to athletics. The Swann’s generous donation will go towards the Littlejohn Coliseum renovations — providing a new addition for the basketball practice court, locker room and coaches’ offices — which will be named Swann Pavilion. See photos from the gift announcement and renderings of Swann Pavilion and watch video from the announcement luncheon.
Lee Gill has been named Clemson’s chief diversity officer (CDO) and special assistant to the president for inclusive excellence. With more than 20 years of experience advising, training and advocating on diversity issues, the veteran professional most recently served as associate vice president for inclusion and equity/chief diversity officer at the University of Akron (UA) since 2008. Through Gill’s leadership, UA received numerous national recognitions and awards that celebrated its commitment to diversity issues. Gill will begin his new position April 18, 2016. Read more.
In other recent news, our vice president of Advancement, Neill Cameron, has stepped aside after many years of service, to focus on two critical areas for the next few months as he plans for retirement: to provide leadership to help us finish our record-breaking Will to Lead campaign by making sure we meet and exceed the goal of $1 billion; and second, to work closely with President Clements and others to implement the restructuring and transition of Advancement. Through this transition of the Advancement division, I have taken on a new role as vice president for Development and Alumni Relations and feel fortunate and blessed to have this opportunity to serve you and my alma mater in this capacity. On behalf of everyone who loves this great university, I want to personally thank you, Neill, for your amazing leadership and legacy. You have and will continue to do great things for Clemson!
B-LOYAL!
Following in the footsteps of alumni like Joe Swann, Thomas ’10 and Lauren ’09 Cleveland have already made giving back to Clemson a valued family priority. The Clevelands began paying it forward right after graduation and continue to give consecutively, making them ‘ever-loyal’ alumni and donors. Learn more about why this young couple decided to give back to Clemson.
We can all be inspired by loyal alumni who understand that our pride in Clemson is made possible by the generosity of donors who want to see Clemson grow and thrive. How do we make a great university even better? By giving back to a place that has given so much to us. As always, I thank you for recognizing that, and for being a part of Clemson’s past, present and future.
Go Tigers!
Brian O’Rourke