B-Note June 25, 2020
June 25, 2020
Greetings fellow Tigers!
Our fiscal year is coming to a close, but you still have time to make your gift to Clemson by June 30 to support our University’s greatest needs and positively impact Clemson students, faculty and staff – today, tomorrow and forever.
Your gift allows our students to have unique experiences, such as the students in a College of Business crisis leadership class. Dean Wendy York and Dr. Mary Anne Raymond, the Thomas F. Chapman ’65 Distinguished Professor of Leadership, led a virtual class on leadership during a crisis. The three-week, virtual class was created and launched in May for students to focus on the responsibilities of leadership and examine if and how it changes in a time of crisis. Students learned about leadership styles, responsibilities and the need to understand stakeholders. The class discussed the critical role of values and culture before a crisis occurs and used case studies and guest speakers to examine decision making without complete information. You can read more here.
While virtual classes like these have been integral to our students’ success this summer, we are eager to have them back in the classroom this fall. Clemson remains in the early stages of bringing employees back to their workspaces, and some student-athletes have returned under rigorous guidelines. Our leadership is fully committed to resuming in-person instruction and campus activities starting in August, and the safety of our students, employees and all those who visit our campuses is paramount. Health and safety protocols are being finalized with the help of outside medical experts and public health professionals. The University is preparing to implement a COVID-19 testing plan and methodologies to alert those exposed to the virus. We are also adjusting our on-campus food service and residence hall structure to help reduce the potential spread of the virus. As we prepare for a fall semester, the importance of social distancing and face coverings continue to be expressed.
Clemson’s iconic symbol has been a lasting source of pride for students, alumni and fans, and this year, we celebrate 50 years of the Tiger Paw as one of the most recognizable logos in the nation. On July 21, 1970, Clemson unveiled the Tiger Paw with a blitz of press conferences around the state, including Florence, Charleston, Columbia and Greenville — plus trips to Charlotte and Atlanta. The caravan included new head football coach Hootie Ingram, new head basketball coach Tates Locke, All-ACC running back Ray Yauger and Wright Bryan, then-vice president for development. Soon after its release, the Tiger Paw was everywhere. That included being painted on all highways headed into Clemson. It did not take long for the Tiger Paw to grow in popularity, especially among other schools with a feline mascot. The Tiger Paw was finally copyrighted after the 1981 National Championship football season when Clemson merchandising exploded. Today, the Tiger Paw is synonymous with Clemson University and is a tangible source of pride for all Clemson fans. You can read the full story in Clemson World here.
B- Committed to the Future!
There’s still time to make your year-end gift to Clemson. You can make your gift online or call 864-656-5896 to make your gift by TUESDAY, JUNE 30 and help us impact future generations of Clemson Tigers and support our dedicated faculty and staff.
As this fiscal year ends, I am reflecting upon the uncertainty and challenges we have all faced throughout the past several months. Together, we have demonstrated our resilience by remaining committed to Clemson’s mission of impacting Clemson students. Though we have all adjusted to this new style of learning, teaching and working, we are looking forward to the fall when we can safely return to the Clemson campus and reconnect with our fellow Tigers.
This year has reiterated how PROUD I am to be a part of the Clemson Family. Thank you for your support and commitment to our University!
Go Tigers!
Brian O’Rourke