Month: November 2016

Dear Friends,

Creativity is one of the core values of our college — woven into every program, bearing fruit in countless ways. In November, the creativity of our students and faculty was on full display in notable ways.

First, the Clemson Players’ production of John Cariani’s romantic comedy Almost, Maine was brilliant. The acting, lighting, sound and sets were all excellent — all the work of our undergraduate students. Kudos to the entire cast and crew and a special thanks to Professor Shannon Robert, who directed the play. You can track the Clemson Players’ and their spring productions here.

Earlier in the month, I met with the college’s Creativity Professors for a discussion about their ongoing research. Each year, through a competitive application process, the college awards Creativity Professorship grants to members of the faculty who are actively engaged in research and integrating that research into their teaching. The breadth of scholarship among this year’s group is fascinating and inspiring — ranging from multi-disciplinary 3-D printing on clay to designs for a new university equine center to the redevelopment of the Greenville News site in downtown Greenville. I look forward to the spring, when once again we’ll see a group presentation of their research and its impacts on their teaching.

As I sit here in my office writing this, I am surrounded by a variety of fine art created by BFA and MFA students in our visual arts programs. Prints, photographs, ceramics, sculpture, paintings, drawings and mixed media — all of high quality, and provoking various interpretations of the world. The exhibition in the dean’s office (108 Strode Tower) is on display through the end of the semester; so if you haven’t seen it, and are on campus, please stop by. You can keep up with our visual arts students and all exhibitions in the Lee Gallery and other venues here.

Finally, in this season of thanksgiving (and giving), I want to thank you for your ongoing support of the vision and strategic goals of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities and encourage you to continue that support by making a gift to the college before the year’s end. Your investment will help grant opportunities and transform lives. For more information, please contact Donna Ruter, senior director of development, or visit here for an quick, one-step, targeted donation form.

With best wishes to all for a happy holiday season,

Rick

Dear Friends,

The past month has been a whirlwind – classes have been in session for 11 consecutive weeks and students, faculty and staff alike can’t wait until fall break next week. I’m not sure who needs it more – students or faculty!

At the October Board of Trustees meeting, an internal reorganization was approved for the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities. The Historic Preservation program was moved into the School of Architecture from the Department of Planning, Development and Preservation. The move consolidates our Charleston-based programs into one administrative unit, providing historic preservation students more opportunities for close collaboration with the Charleston Architecture Center, our new Master of Resilient Urban Design program and the Clemson Architecture + Health studio. This reorganization prompted us to rename the department that houses our city and regional planning program and the master of real estate development to the Department of City Planning and Real Estate Development (CPRED). We are currently conducting a national search for a new department chair for CPRED, following Jim Spencer’s appointment as associate dean for research and graduate studies in the college.

Tiger Band returned from a VERY successful trip to Tallahassee and has had a tremendous year so far. With more than 350 students, it’s the biggest band in Clemson’s history, with members who consistently serve as extraordinary ambassadors for our university. Our band alumni organization, CUTBA, recently helped the Lexington, S.C. high school band after a number of their instruments were stolen while the school was closed during Hurricane Matthew. The Lexington band issued a plea for help via social media, and CUTBA came to the rescue by lending instruments that are reserved for Clemson’s alumni band. The instruments were delivered to Lexington by a Tiger Band alumnus, and we were all thrilled to help a band in need. Tiger Band students also raised over $6,000 for Dabo and Kathleen Sweeney’s “All In” Foundation and over $12,000 for research at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Great job, Tiger Band!

Speaking of football, I’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Professor Anjali Joseph and Jessica Martin for being named “Faculty Member of the Game” and “Staff Member of the Game” during Clemson’s homecoming game against N.C. State. Dr. Joseph is the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Endowed Chair in Architecture + Health Design and director of Clemson’s Health Facilities Design and Testing Center. Ms. Martin is director of CAAH’s Student Services Center. They are shown here left-to-right, along with members of their families and Provost Bob Jones. Congratulations to both for their professional excellence!

Last week I had a chance to take our CAAH Student Ambassadors to Atlanta to visit the corporate headquarters of the Coca-Cola Company.  Julie Seitz, a proud Clemson alumna, and her team spent the morning giving our students a remarkable professional development opportunity and learning about Coke’s world-class brand management. Julie is the director of Global Workplace Strategy and Operations at Coke and bleeds orange. Thank you, Julie!

Finally, I’d like to extend a special thank you to our Humanities Advancement Board (HAB) who last month helped host Sir David Cannadine, the distinguished Dodge Professor of History at Princeton University. Sir David gave a talk to several hundred students, faculty and community members on the special relationship between Roosevelt and Churchill and then joined the HAB for a private dinner event. Warm thanks to Professor Cannadine for his visit and to the HAB for their continued support of the humanities at Clemson.

As always, best wishes from campus and Go Tigers!

Rick