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Clemson students wearing masks on campus

B-Inspired to be engaged!

August 6, 2020

Greetings, fellow Tigers!

As more employees begin returning to campus and we prepare to welcome our students back to campus next month, it is more important than ever to do our part to keep our Clemson Family safe. Let’s be “All In” and wear our masks! You can read more about how Clemson is moving forward with the health and safety of our students, employees, staff and surrounding community as our top priority here. Also, please watch a special message from President Clements here.

Last week we celebrated our fourth consecutive year of raising more than $150 million. It is humbling to see year after year how our Clemson Family shows up for one another – no matter the circumstances! As we begin a new fiscal year, I am excited to continue celebrating the Clemson Family and the people who make Clemson the special place we call, “home.”

One example is the Class of 1967 Endowment for Veterans Resources which recently met its goal of raising $100,000. The endowment was established in 2015 to honor the class’s 50th anniversary and to ensure future veterans receive care and support through intentional resources and programs. The funds will be used to maintain operations with the Military & Veteran Engagement Student Center located in Vickery Hall, expand programming support through guest speakers, advising, veteran-specific Orientation, Hail and Farewell graduation celebrations, and to provide support for student veterans attending conferences such as the Student Veterans of America, Men of Color Summit and Women’s Leadership Conference. In addition to the Class of 1967, fundraising support was provided by the Clemson Corps, Alumni Association, Staff Senate and CASE. You can read more here or click here to view all the ways to give and support Clemson student veterans.

Col. Ben Skardon with Veteran at Clemson University

Ed and Kelly Rose also exemplify how the Clemson Family can find meaningful ways to support our fellow Tigers. Ed and Kelly both graduated from Clemson in 1984. The Clemson tradition has continued with their children. Their daughter Erin recently earned a marketing degree, and their son Carter is an engineering major. As alumni and now Clemson parents, Ed and Kelly are committed to impacting current and future generations of Clemson students – both philanthropically and through campus involvement. After Kelly was introduced to the Clemson Family Advisory Board (CFAB), she applied for membership and became an advocate and liaison for Clemson families. It was through this involvement with Student Affairs that she learned about Sam Cadden and the money being raised for the chapel in his memory. Within a couple of weeks, she met Ken and Mary Cadden. The Rose family made a financial contribution and held a fundraising event for the project at their home in Charleston, and they were on site for the groundbreaking ceremony in May 2019. Ed and Kelly also provide support to the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, the College of Business and P.A.W. Journey. You can read more about the Rose family, their commitment to volunteering at Clemson and their gifts to the University here.

Rose family tailgates at Clemson football game

B- Inspired to be engaged!
The stories of the Class of 1967 and Ed and Kelly Rose inspire us to become more engaged with Clemson. They represent the many ways we can give of our time, talent and treasures to impact our University and the future generations of Clemson students who will forever have their lives changed through their involvement with Clemson. As alumni, supporters and fans, we feel the connection among Tigers. It’s a bond that lasts a lifetime.

Thank you for your generosity and unwavering support to Clemson.

Go Tigers!

Brian O’Rourke