B-Note November 14, 2019
November 14, 2019
Greetings fellow Tigers!
On Monday, Clemson University joined the nation in celebrating Veteran’s Day to honor the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Founded as a military school, celebrating our veterans is especially meaningful at Clemson. Our traditions of military excellence and philanthropy are the foundation upon which our University was established, and when these two great traditions converge, it is a true testament to our University’s heritage. If you haven’t had an opportunity to watch the special moments honoring our military during our recent Military Appreciation Day game, please click here.
Supporting our student veterans has been a top priority for Clemson, and our University’s increasing support became more evident this fall with the first veteran-specific scholarship payouts. The scholarship recipients were Mariah Williams, a senior biological sciences major, and John Bitter, a freshman engineering major. The Clemson Veterans Scholarship Endowment was established by the Clemson Student Veterans Association (CSVA). The endowment will pay out two scholarships again in Fall 2020 and more in the future as the overall fund continues to grow.
Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries with headquarters in Virginia, is also impacting student veterans at Clemson by providing merit-based scholarships for Clemson student veterans enrolled in degree programs in the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences with a commitment of $30,000. The partnership is part of their workforce development strategy to increase intern opportunities and recently graduated recruits from Clemson. Newport News Shipbuilding is the country’s sole designer, builder and refueler of aircraft carriers and one of two providers of submarines for the U.S. Navy. Matt Needy — a 1991 Clemson graduate from the mechanical engineering program — has steadily moved up the ranks with the company and now serves as its vice president of operations. As a graduate and member of Clemson’s Department of Mechanical Engineering’s Advisory Board, he believes the creation of these scholarships will allow Newport News Shipbuilding to create a pipeline of talent from his alma mater to support the nation’s growing demand for Navy nuclear aircraft carriers and submarines. You can read more about the company’s gift to Clemson here.
It was an especially cold night in Clemson, but I was excited to join so many members of our Clemson family at Riggs Field last night to support our Clemson Men’s Soccer team. The top-seeded Tigers (16-1-1) defeated the fourth-seeded Pittsburgh Panthers 1 – 0. The win secured the Tigers’ spot in the ACC Championship match. I am headed to WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary N.C., on Sunday to watch our No. 1 Tigers face No. 2 Virginia. We are also celebrating ACC postseason awards for the team. Head Coach Mike Noonan earned the distinction of ACC Coach of the Year, and eight players were recognized, highlighted by Robbie Robinson as Offensive Player of the Year and Malick Mbaye as Defensive Player of the Year. Congratulations, Coach Noonan and players, on these well-deserved awards! And good luck on Sunday. Beat Virginia!
I also hope to see many of you in Tiger Town this weekend for our final home game in Death Valley for the season. Our undefeated football team will face Wake Forest at 3:30 p.m. Go Tigers! Beat Wake!
B- Grateful!
We are thankful for our service men and women every day, but we are fortunate to have special opportunities to express our gratitude for their service and sacrifice. Thank you, veterans, for proudly serving our country! Because of the support and commitment from our donors, Clemson will continue to support our student veterans in their journey for higher education. Thank you, alumni, friends and donors for your dedication to Clemson and to future generations.
Go Tigers!
Brian O’Rourke