A Word from Dean Richard Goodstein – August 2016

August 5, 2016

Dear Friends,

Warm greetings from campus. As we swelter in the August heat and humidity, there is anticipation in the air for the start of the 2016-2017 school year.  A record number of matriculating freshmen are expected on campus this week and faculty who have been away for the summer are returning to their offices to prepare for the start of the semester.

We did it! In July Clemson announced the successful completion of the $1B “Will to Lead” capital campaign with a grand total of $1,062,528,346. Clemson has the smallest alumni base of any public university in the U.S. to reach a $1B capital campaign goal – an amazing accomplishment that we should celebrate. I thank each and every one of you who helped us exceed this impressive goal. Every gift, from $1 to $100,000, makes a difference in the lives of our students and that is one reason why private giving is so important. I also congratulate our AAH development officers – Donna Dant, Donna Carver, Renee Dooley and Rachelle Beckner – on their dedicated efforts on behalf of the college and Clemson.

On July 1, Clemson reorganized into seven colleges, including a new College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences and a new College of Sciences. The College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities is remaining intact with the exception of the Department of Communication, which is moving to the new College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences. It is bittersweet, saying goodbye to the Department of Communication, but we wish them great success in their new college. We know that communication faculty are excited to be more closely aligned with their colleagues in the social sciences.

There are other changes outside of the College of AAH. With the University’s consolidation of the social sciences under one administrative umbrella, the former College of Business and Behavioral Sciences is now the stand-alone College of Business. Additionally, there is a restructured College of Engineering Computing and Applied Sciences.

Kudos to Provost Jones and the reorganization committee for bringing greater clarity and focus to the University’s academic mission through this administrative restructuring.

The college’s leadership team has concluded a significant strategic planning process conducted over the past year with two overarching academic goals:

1. To prepare talent for the evolving economy and help drive innovation, the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities will emphasize creativity and cultural literacy through teaching, research and service.
2. To serve the public good and prepare citizens for informed participation, the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities will study, understand and create sustainable healthy places, and civic cultures and communities.

As we look to the new school year, these goals will help us continue our quest to empower students through excellence in creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and cultural awareness through engaged learning, research and teaching. What an exciting time to be in the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities!

Best wishes to all and Go Tigers!

Rick