Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As the afterglow of the National Championship has begun to subside (but not by much) and the routine of classes, homework, assignments and studio projects has settled in, the spring semester is well under way – and spring temperatures are in the forecast!
Mark Spede, director of bands at Clemson University, leads the Tiger Band at the National Championship. Image Credit: Tiger Band
It is hard to believe that less than a month ago the Clemson Tigers won their third national football championship, and second in three years. My wife and I were honored to travel with Tiger Band to the National Championship, and we couldn’t have been prouder of the students, faculty and staff who represent our university with such distinction and class. The 355 Tiger Band members had a remarkable post-season, including the rain-soaked ACC Championship, an 18-hour drive (each way) to support the team at the Cotton Bowl and then traveling to Santa Clara, California, and returning as National Champions. Tiger Band represents the best of Clemson University, with academic majors from across the University and sharing a common goal of excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the stands.
To cap off a remarkable season, we learned this week that Tiger Band has been selected as one of only five bands to be chosen for a video presentation at the upcoming College Band Directors National Association Marching Band Showcase. Tiger Band is in rarified air as we join Arizona State, Ohio State, Michigan State and Texas State for this honor. Congratulations to the students, Director of Bands Mark Spede, Assistant Director of Bands Timothy Hurlburt and the entire Tiger Band staff on a job well done and this national distinction.
CAF and HAB host joint reception
Last week, the first joint event sponsored by the Clemson Architectural Foundation and the Humanities Advancement Board was held at the Cigar Factory in Charleston and featured the city’s longtime former mayor, Joe Riley. Clemson alumni from across the state and region attended the event at the Clemson Design Center in Charleston, and heard a great talk and insights offered by former Mayor Riley. I have no doubt he would win another term, or three, if he were to run again. My gratitude to Lee Morrissey, interim associate dean of CAAH, for initiating this joint presentation.
Bessie Hanahan recently presented a major gift to the Historic Preservation program, based in Charleston. Image Credit: Gary Coleman
Hanahan supports historic preservation students
While in Charleston, we celebrated a major gift to our historic preservation program by Bessie Hanahan. Bessie hosted a large group of students, faculty, and friends of our preservation program at her beautiful home, which has been thoroughly renovated with extensive research provided by Richard (Moby) Marks and our HP students. Bessie’s transformational gift is dedicated to student scholarships and she challenged the attendees to help support our students and future students through the gift of scholarships. I want to thank Bessie for her philanthropy, leadership and vision for the future, and hope you join me in promoting student scholarships.
In closing, I join former students and colleagues in sadness at the news of Peter Lee’s passing. An Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Architecture, Peter was a beloved professor and his memory will be preserved in perpetuity by his induction in the CAAH Hall of Fame this spring.
Go Tigers!
Rick
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