B-Note November 7, 2019
November 7, 2019
Greetings fellow Tigers!
Last week we celebrated Clemson’s tradition of philanthropy during several special events. On Thursday night, we recognized those who have remembered Clemson University in their gift and estate planning at the Legacy Society Dinner. Through his will, Thomas Green Clemson created what we know and love today as Clemson University. Since then, planned gifts have been critical to our University’s success. You can view photos from the dinner here.
During Legacy Day on Friday, students, faculty, staff, donors and friends enjoyed tours of the Fort Hill grounds and a scavenger hunt. Students were invited to “leave their mark” by signing a special Clemson print that will be in the R.M. Cooper Library alongside prints from previous years. It was a perfect fall day on our campus, and more than 900 students attended the event – a record-breaking number. This event demonstrates that Thomas Green and Anna Calhoun Clemson continue to be an inspiration to the many generations of students who have benefited from their act of generosity.
Following Legacy Day, during a special ceremony under the Second Century Oak at Fort Hill, Jerry and Harriet Dempsey were inducted into the Fort Hill Legacy Society, and a bronze leaf was dedicated in their memory. This society is a prestigious honorary group of those whose visionary generosity leads to a gift of $1 million or more to the University upon their passing. The leaf for the Dempseys was placed under the Second Century Oak, which stands at Fort Hill on the historic site of the University’s first board of trustees meeting. Their gift will support scholarships, the Harriet and Jerry Dempsey CU/GHS Bioengineering Professorship and the Harriet and Jerry Dempsey CU/GHS Industrial Engineering Professorship. A 1954 mechanical engineering graduate from Greenville, Jerry Dempsey started building his corporate career over 28 years with Borg-Warner Corp., where he advanced from salesman to president and COO. He later left Borg-Warner and worked in the executive ranks of WMX Technologies (now Waste Management, Inc.). He went on to serve as CEO for PPG Industries, where he retired in 1997. You can view photos of Legacy Day and the Fort Hill Leaf Dedication here.
President Clements presented a framed leaf to Becky and Courts Cooledge, daughter and son-in-law of Jerry and Harriett Dempsey, during the Legacy Day Bronze Leaf ceremony.
Following Legacy Day and the Leaf Ceremony, we inducted the newest members into the Cumulative Giving Societies during the Gratitude Celebration – and what a celebration it was! The Cumulative Giving Societies at Clemson University are designed to honor those who have demonstrated their faithful support to the University through significant financial gifts over the years. Please view photos from the Gratitude Celebration here and watch a video recapping the night here.
Honoring the men and women who have so valiantly served our country is a valued tradition at Clemson. Our University’s history is steeped in military service, and every year, the Military Appreciation Game is especially meaningful to the Clemson family. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to honor those who have given so much to our country, and Saturday’s game was especially representative of that. From the flyover to the many on-field recognitions to the service members gathering on the field during halftime, it was the perfect day to recognize and express our gratitude to our military. It’s especially meaningful given the location – Memorial Stadium, which was named to honor Clemson’s alumni who “have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of their country.”
Students working in the Clemson University Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics can now output prototypes faster and on a wider range of materials than ever before thanks to a gift from Fujifilm, which includes the Acuity Select 26 digital UV flatbed press and the Illumina LED Retrofit System along with a three-year commitment including training and maintenance support. Students using the new digital printer and LED curing system will be printing their class projects and running trials to build data points around these technologies. The Sonoco Institute is an education and research facility for industry collaboration where packaging science and graphic communications students can discover, develop and deliver advanced solutions for tomorrow’s printing and packaging value chain. The new hardware will provide them with the opportunity to learn on technologies widely used in the industry, better preparing them for their future careers. You can read more about the gift from Fujifilm here.
B- Inspired!
The Clemson University we all know and love today was made possible by the philanthropic spirit and actions of Thomas Green and Anna Calhoun Clemson. They continue to inspire us today so we can make an impact forever. Events like Legacy Day ensure that we are sharing this important message with future generations of Clemson students so they can continue our tradition of philanthropy. Thank you for your support and generosity to Clemson today, tomorrow and forever.
Go Tigers! Beat NC State!
Brian O’Rourke