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Thank you to all essential workers. We appreciate you.

B-Note May 14, 2020

May 14, 2020

Greetings fellow Tigers!

Thank you to all the essential workers who are keeping us safe and healthy – now more than ever! They are selfless, passionate and steadfast. The Clemson University Alumni Association is honoring the Clemson Family’s heroes, like Brandi Von Dohlen ’14, a registered nurse at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. She typically works on the cardiac and medical stepdown floor, but she is currently serving on the frontline in the COVID unit. Please watch this special tribute video and visit the Clemson Alumni Association’s Facebook page to read more about our healthcare heroes each day, and be sure to leave a comment expressing your appreciation for everything they are doing during these unprecedented times.

The annual Prowl & Growl tour travels to communities across the region to update the Clemson Family on the latest Clemson University and Clemson athletics news. The 2020 tour unfortunately was canceled due to COVID-19, but IPTAY, the Clemson Alumni Association and the Clemson Forever Fund want to bring the tour to you virtually. Visit the Prowl and Growl page to get updates from athletic department administrators, coaches and university officials. In addition, fans can download autograph cards and the 2020 football season poster celebrating the 125th season of Tiger football, download children’s coloring pages and activities, relive exciting athletic action from the 2019-2020 academic year and see how your community is making an impact on Clemson University.

Out of 12,000 applicants, three Clemson University seniors and three graduate students received Graduate Research Fellowships from the National Science Foundation, a highly competitive grant aimed at building tomorrow’s scientific and engineering leaders. The fellowship program, the oldest of its kind, helps to ensure the vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce, recognizing and supporting outstanding graduate students who are pursuing full-time research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. You can read more about Clemson’s recipients here.

Two Clemson University freshmen are thinking outside the box– and shining a light inside it– to combat COVID-19 at the grocery store. Carleigh Coffin and Ashlyn Soule, under the direction of Delphine Dean, the Ron and Jane Lindsay Family Innovation Professor of bioengineering, are designing a device that would be located at supermarket checkout lanes. Groceries would be placed on the conveyor belt and then pass through an enclosed box where they would be exposed to UVC light. Running groceries through the device help could kill off the novel coronavirus, preventing its spread during the pandemic. When it’s over, the device could still be useful, helping kill viruses that cause the flu and preventing contamination from pathogens, such as salmonella. You can read more about their project here.

Students Carleigh Coffin and Ashlyn Soule, under the direction of Delphine Dean, combat COVID-19 at the grocery store.

While many of our students are being affected by the challenges of COVID-19, that isn’t stopping them from honoring our University’s longest tradition – philanthropy. Latinos Unidos at Clemson University, a student group created to serve Clemson’s Hispanic and Latinx community, started a fundraising campaign to aid members of that community affected by the escalating economic impact of the nation’s coronavirus lockdown. The group’s service through cultural, educational or social events is not possible during the pandemic, so they quickly shifted the club’s focus. Deciding that it would be most effective to raise funds and awareness, the club began researching various nonprofits, eventually choosing Hispanic Alliance because they have a similar mission to serve the Upstate Hispanic/Latinx population. The money raised will help those who are most vulnerable to the devastating effects of COVID-19. You can read more here.

B – in the moment!
The Class of 2020 has exemplified the resilient spirit of the Clemson Tiger during these challenging times. They are more prepared than ever to embark on their professional journeys, and they will forever be remembered for their adaptability and incredible resolve. While we could not celebrate our newest graduates at a spring commencement last week, the University was committed to honoring them with a special web page devoted to the Class of 2020, and the deans of Clemson University have also shared special messages for the Class of 2020.

Of the messages shared by our deans, I would like to share with you the words of Anand Gramopadhye, Dean of the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences: “You join a long line of alumni who, since our founding in 1889, have risen to the challenges of their time, answering the call to serve our state and nation. This semester, you, like them, have shown you are ambassadors of Clemson’s All In Spirit, and we will continue to encourage you in your future endeavors, thankful that you have included us in a small part of your journey.” I think we all share the same sentiment expressed by Dean Gramopadhye and are excited to see where our newest alumni’s journeys will take them. Because of the support and commitment of our Clemson Family, these students are pursuing their dreams. And for that, we are forever grateful!

Go Tigers!

Brian O’Rourke