B-Note September 5, 2019
September 5, 2019
Greetings fellow Tigers!
From a parade featuring the Budweiser Clydesdales to a Tiger victory over Georgia Tech to Ring Week, it was an exciting week in Tiger Town! The game debuted the new ACC Network, and it was a great victory for our Tigers, led by Travis Etienne with 205 rushing yards. The highlight of the night for both the Tigers and Etienne came on a 90-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter, tying the longest run in school history and the longest run by a Tiger at Memorial Stadium. The Tigers extended their winning streak to 16 games, dating back to the start of the 2018 season. Clemson hosts Texas A&M in Death Valley this Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
A generous $1.25 million gift from the Darnall W. & Susan F. Boyd Foundation to Clemson University’s College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences is giving 80 freshmen the opportunity to participate in a new program that helps them ease into the challenging math courses that too often derail students’ dreams of becoming engineers. The program, Boyd Scholars, targets freshman engineering majors who need a little extra time to complete their required calculus courses. Students will take an extended curriculum that delays their start in calculus, yet keeps them on track to finish their required courses before the start of their sophomore year. The Boyd family said the gift helps honor Darnall W. Boyd, who lived in Columbia virtually all of his life and died in 2015 at 88 years old. You can read more about the Boyd Scholars and the gift from the Darnall W. & Susan F. Boyd Foundation here.
Among the many celebrations and special events last week, the Clemson Alumni Association hosted Ring Week – when many of our Clemson students are invited to the Alumni Center to order their rings. While there are many traditions among the Clemson family, the Clemson University ring is among our most sacred and valued. Our Clemson rings have a way of bringing us together – even when we are thousands of miles away from Clemson, across the nation or around the world. Elements throughout the Clemson ring pay tribute to the University’s land-grant and military heritages, along with the motto, “Who shall separate us now?”
I am looking forward to seeing many of you again this weekend in Tiger Town, beginning with another parade. The First Friday Parade — featuring community groups, university departments, Panhellenic and service sororities, and other student organizations — is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m., preceding Clemson’s first home Saturday football game. The parade will follow a different route than in previous years. Click here to learn more.
This year’s parade theme is “Setting the Stage for Greatness” and aims to highlight how alumni contributions to Clemson have fostered greatness on and off the football field. From school spirit to networking to packing Death Valley seven Saturdays during the fall semester, Clemson is a special place because of the dedication and commitment of our Clemson alumni. Nancy O’Dell (’90) will serve as this year’s grand marshal. The Emmy Award-winning journalist has put together a noteworthy career as a host, author, producer and entrepreneur. She co-hosted “Entertainment Tonight” over the past nine years and “Access Hollywood” from 1996 to 2009.
The Clemson Young Alumni Council and the Clemson Alumni Association invite you to the Clemson Fall Band Party Reunion this Friday night, Sept. 6, at Swanson’s Warehouse in Greenville. As you’re heading into town this weekend for the Texas A&M game, join your fellow Tigers and enjoy live music, a food truck, games and a silent auction. You can read more about the event and buy tickets here.
B-Thoughtful.
Please keep all those affected my Hurricane Dorian in your thoughts and prayers as some recover from destruction and others prepare to weather a tremendous storm. I know our Clemson family will be among those leading the way to offer assistance to those who need it. During the last week, and for months to come, we will see many powerful moments as our nation comes together to help one another.
Times of hardship can inspire us to give back – of our time, money and resources. Clemson was built upon the spirit of giving, and the power of philanthropy is resilient at Clemson. But it’s important to remember that our tradition of generosity extends far beyond our campus.
I hope to see you all in Clemson this weekend as we welcome Texas A&M to Death Valley!
Go Tigers! Beat the Aggies!
Brian O’Rourke