Greetings fellow Tigers!
The Clemson experience is made up of unforgettable moments – the first of which is walking to the mailbox, seeing an envelope covered in orange and white tiger paws and learning that you are Tigertown Bound! The Class of 2023 is sharing their excitement across every platform imaginable. We look forward to welcoming our newest Clemson family members to campus in the fall – when they will embark on an incredible new journey. Welcome to the family, Class of 2023!
Paul Barnett recently made a significant commitment in honor of his mother, Bonnie P. Barnett, and his father, Dr. Bob Barnett, former Head of Poultry Science and Professor Emeritus at Clemson. He feels strongly that Clemson helped raise him to be the man he is today. Paul’s journey to making this gift started in Clemson, where he and his twin brother, Ron, grew up. His father was a professor at Clemson, and his mother was a musician who started the Barnett Music Center, where she, Paul and Ron taught guitar lessons. Eventually, Paul decided to pursue a career in aviation, and he returned to Clemson where he was accepted into Clemson’s Department of Psychology. Paul indulged his passion for flying as a member of the Clemson University Aero Club – founded in 1918. After graduation, he remained in Clemson after being hired as an ROTC pilot instructor. Later, he was a pilot for Eastern Airlines and FedEx – where he worked until his retirement in December 2015. Paul married his wife, Janice, a former pharmaceutical representative, in 2015. Together, they split their time between homes in Fort Myers, Florida and Highlands, North Carolina. Thank you, Paul, for being such a loyal and generous supporter of Clemson! You can read more about Paul and his recent commitment to Clemson here.
Igor Luzinov of Clemson University is the first recipient of the Kentwool Distinguished Professorship in Natural Fibers, an honor named for a 176-year-old textile company that remains committed to innovation and excellence in natural fibers, specifically wool. A $250,000 gift from Kentwool in 2009 enabled Clemson to receive a matching gift from the lottery-funded SmartState program creating the endowment that made the professorship possible. Kentwool is headquartered in downtown Greenville, South Carolina, and has a 135,000-square-foot yarn production plant in Pickens County. Kentwool’s generosity and the SmartState program will open new opportunities for students, enhancing their educational experience. You can read more here.
Clemson University students, faculty and staff can now learn and innovate using state-of-the-art 3D printing technology alongside General Electric (GE) engineers in the new Additive Manufacturing Lab at GE Power’s Advanced Manufacturing Works facility. Unveiled at a ceremony with leaders and constituents from GE and Clemson yesterday, the 1,000-square-foot space is Clemson’s first additive manufacturing lab housed at a corporate partner’s site. The lab is part of a strategic partnership between Clemson and GE that will accelerate innovations in additive manufacturing, provide expanded educational opportunities for Clemson undergraduate and graduate students and create a robust engineering talent pipeline for industry across the state. Graduate students in the automotive engineering department will be the first to take advantage of this new lab. Through the Deep Orange program, Clemson students work with automotive manufacturers to engineer and build a car from concept to reality within two years. You can read more about the partnership of GE and Clemson here.
B-Proud!
As we see the many faces of those who are Tigertown bound, we get a glimpse into the future of Clemson. Although we may see many changes happening around our campus, our bond as Clemson Tigers remains the same. Our mission of powerfully impacting the future for our students is at the core of our Tiger pride. We are fierce, proud, passionate and loyal.
Thank you for your shared vision and support for Clemson University.
Go Tigers!
Brian O’Rourke
