Greetings fellow Tigers!
The rivalry between Clemson and South Carolina is one we look forward to across all sports. As usual, it did not disappoint last weekend. Our Clemson Tiger baseball team went head-to-head against the Gamecocks in three different locations. The first pitch was thrown in Columbia on Friday night, with South Carolina winning the first game of the series. On Saturday, the teams competed in Greenville, where the Tigers secured a 5-1 win. The final game on Sunday would decide which team claimed a series victory. And in true rivalry fashion, the game was suspenseful and thrilling. Drew Wharton hit a one-out triple that scored Robert Jolly in the ninth inning to lift No. 7 Clemson to an 8-7 walk-off victory over No. 23 South Carolina. It marked the fourth series win in a row for Clemson over South Carolina. The Tigers extended their winning streak this week with wins against Wofford and Michigan State. Go Tigers!
As members of the Clemson family, we share an unbreakable bond. Our blood runs orange. It’s something only Clemson family members truly understand. And Spencer Glenn, 83, certainly has orange in his blood. Glenn has Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s and lives in a nursing facility where he receives hospice care, but he still has a great love and passion for Clemson. Jaime Hester, director of clinical services for Wren Hospice, learned of Glenn’s love of Clemson and wanted to organize something special for him. She planned a party for Glenn with the sole purpose of keeping his — and his family’s — spirits high. And that is exactly what she did! The Clemson Tiger surprised Spencer Glenn in his room at Patewood Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. Glenn was presented with several gifts from Clemson — signed photos from football coach Dabo Swinney, two-dollar bills stamped with orange tiger paws and a card signed by members of the Clemson football team. Glenn was smiling from ear to ear, and his family could see the pure joy on his face. Glenn attended Clemson University in the 1950s, and he’s been a diehard Clemson fan all his life. You can read an article in the Greenville News about this special alumnus and his exciting day.
George Petersen’s childhood was not what many would expect. But with those challenges and the influence of a strong and resilient mother, Clemson University’s Dean of the College of Education first had an outstanding career in secondary education and now is at the pinnacle of a distinguished 25-year career in higher education. Petersen was named the founding dean of Clemson University’s College of Education in 2014. A recent article describes Petersen’s tumultuous past and how education transformed his future and helped him realize his true passion. You can read the full article describing Petersen’s life and career here.
Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) joined representatives from Clemson’s College of Science and College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences last week to celebrate the eighteen recipients of the SRNL University Scholarship. President Jim Clements and College of Science Founding Dean Cynthia Young spoke on the partnership between SRNL and Clemson University and the value that it brings to students. SRNL donated $144,000 to Clemson to establish the SRNL University Scholars program to award scholarships to qualified students in STEM majors. Click here for more information about the SRNL University Scholarship, including a list of 2017-2018 scholarship recipients. You can view photos from there event here.
B-Ready to Cheer!
What a fun time we had celebrating the men’s basketball win over Georgia Tech on February 24! Many gathered for the 17th annual HOOPS party, where we enjoyed a post-win visit from head coach Brad Brownell.
Clemson fans are known to travel near and far to support our University, our teams and our players. This week has been no exception. Many members of our Clemson family have traveled to New York to cheer for the Tigers as our men’s basketball team enters the ACC Tournament this afternoon. The team will face Boston College at 2 p.m.
Tigers have painted New York orange this week as they toured the city, and our Tiger mascot even made an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Click here to watch the Tiger dance across The Tonight Show stage. With a win today, the Tigers will advance to the semi-finals of the ACC Tournament.
Thank you for cheering Clemson University to many victories!
Go Tigers!
Brian O’Rourke
