B-Note June 20, 2019
June 20, 2019
Greetings fellow Tigers!
Last Thursday and Friday, we welcomed our Golden Tigers to campus for the 50th anniversary of their graduation from Clemson. Each year, Golden Tigers are invited back to campus to reunite with their old classmates and friends to reminisce about their days as students and to learn about what is happening at Clemson today.
The Class of 1969 was honored by being inducted into the Golden Tiger Society – a formal event resembling graduation. Each Golden Tiger was presented with a Golden Tiger lapel pin and an official Golden Tiger Society Induction Certificate to commemorate the day. The Golden Tiger class also presented their Class Gift to the university – a total of $1,551,773 given toward scholarship support, endowed faculty positions, research support for technology, and capital construction.
Throughout the two days, the Class of 1969 enjoyed time with their fellow classmates during tours of the Allen Reeves Football Complex, the Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics, Fort Hill, Watt Family Innovation and Douthit Hills. Classes that have previously been inducted into the Golden Tiger Society also joined them for these exciting activities. Our newest Diamond Tiger (75 years!), Hubert Bowick ’44, received his Diamond Tiger certificate and medallion from President Clements and Wil Brasington.
Melinda Chappell’s passion for Clemson led her to Tiger Town while her childhood experiences led her to a major. Her numerous surgeries as a young child that resulted in physical therapy inspired her to major in recreation and parks administration with an emphasis in therapeutic recreation. Upon graduating, Melinda was able to fulfill her goal and utilize her degree and her passion for helping children and teens struggling with physical disabilities by working for a psychiatric hospital as a recreational therapist.
During her career as a recreational therapist, Melinda has also worked tirelessly with nonprofits, including the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Muscular Development Center in Columbia, Limitless Sports, Coastal Adaptive Sports and Teen Angels. In addition to her involvement with non-profits throughout the area, Melinda is currently the director of the North Myrtle Beach Aquatic and Fitness Center. Considering ways to leave a legacy that reflected both her passion for helping others through sports and her love of Clemson, she created the Melinda E. Chappell ’82 Endowment for Recreational Therapy to provide unrestricted support for the Clemson University Recreational Therapy (CURT) Program – or its successor. When funds are reached to endow this program, a second endowment, the Melinda E. Chappell ’82 Golf Endowment, will be directed to the Clemson Ladies Golf Team. Thank you, Melinda, for your unwavering commitment and passion for Clemson! You can read more about Melinda’s planned gift to Clemson here.
B- Challenged!
Each year when we welcome our Golden Tigers back to campus, I am reminded of the faithful bond among Clemson Tigers. Throughout the weekend, cadence counts erupted spontaneously. Their loyalty to Clemson was almost tangible. It was felt through every memory of the past shared and every new memory made. As they greeted their classmates, it seemed as though they were students on the Clemson campus just yesterday.
Their allegiance and commitment to Clemson fifty years after graduation – which they demonstrated with a gift to our University – is an inspiration to each of us. I encourage each of you to be challenged by their unwavering support to Clemson. Make your annual gift before June 30, and encourage your fellow Tigers to do the same!
If you make your annual gift by the end of this fiscal year, you will receive a free national championship decal. Call us at 864-656-5896 or visit our website!
Go Tigers!
Brian O’Rourke