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Greetings from Clemson on building wall in Downtown Clemson

B-Note January 23, 2020

January 23, 2020

Greetings fellow Tigers!

It is a time of reflection at our University and across the nation as we honor an American hero – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  A commemorative service was held Tuesday, and more events were held throughout the week in honor of Dr. King’s legacy. “Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education,” are words spoken by Dr. King that are still relevant to Clemson as we create a culture of diversity and inclusion.

Each year, members of the Clemson family gather with community members and advocates to honor the legacy of Dr. King during the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The Clemson family has gathered throughout the week during several events – a day of service, including a blood drive, the Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative service and the Tunnel of Oppression, a simulation depicting real-life scenarios of power, privilege and oppression. During Tuesday night’s commemorative service, Clemson welcomed keynote speaker Dr. Dorothy Yancy, President Emerita of Johnson C. Smith University and Shaw University.

A selfless staff member who has been with Clemson University for more than three decades, an extraordinary student with a heart for service and a mother who channeled her grief from losing a young son to cancer into a nonprofit that has saved lives received this year’s prestigious Martin Luther King Jr. Awards for Excellence in Service during the commemorative service. The awards are presented each year by the President’s Office and Division of Inclusion and Equity to recognize an employee, a student and a community member who have shown excellence in their service to Clemson and the surrounding community. The award celebrates their advocacy for social or environmental justice and their service above and beyond their direct employment. This year’s staff member to receive the award, Deon Legette, is a district director with Clemson Cooperative Extension who has served in various roles in Clemson’s Extension Service for more than 30 years. Kinsey Meggett, a senior studying medicine in the College of Science, was chosen as this year’s student recipient. The 2020 community award was earned by Seneca resident Mary Tannery, founder of  The Lachlan McIntosh Tannery Foundation, or “Lachlan’s Hope,” a 501(c)(3) non-profit that offers hope and support to children and their families navigating journeys through cancer, from diagnosis to remission. You can read more about this year’s recipients here.

For Michael Puldy ‘84, Clemson was a place of opportunity. The skills he learned would allow him to become the award winning speaker and writer he is today. Beyond serving as a Director at IBM, Michael volunteers at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services assisting suicide survivors, providing guidance and mentoring those who have lost a loved one to suicide. The passing of his first wife by suicide accelerated Michael’s emphasis on choosing to steward gifts to his late-wife’s alma mater, Rollins College, and to his own, Clemson University. In gratitude for his time at Clemson, Michael has created the Michael Lawrence Puldy ‘84 Endowment for the School of Computing to help computer science students have their own unique experiences at Clemson. Michael has chosen to give back to Clemson like the generous strangers who helped him succeed as a student. His legacy gift will bestow students with the same opportunities that he had. You can read more about Michael and his gift to Clemson here.

Michael Puldy

The 2019 football season ended less than two weeks ago for Clemson, but the release of the Tigers’ 2020 schedule has us looking toward next season. The season will kick-off on Thursday, September 3 in Atlanta against Georgia Tech, and the first home game of 2020 will be against Louisville on September 12. You can see the full schedule here.

B – looking forward to the future!
Martin Luther King Jr. taught us important lessons in equality, perseverance and leadership. Clemson University continues to reflect upon Dr. King’s messages as we establish programs and initiatives to create a fully inclusive environment on our campus.

With your unwavering support, Clemson is able to look forward to the future with promise and hope. Our students are thriving at Clemson and making impacts in the world as alumni because of your commitment. Thank you for helping Clemson reach its goals for a “true education.”

Go Tigers!

Brian O’Rourke