CFR Updates

Microsoft, TTI, Dell, Cisco, Fluor, Duke Energy, Siemens, Eastman Chemical, SunTrust, Walgreens, Fujifilm, Race Trac, Arby’s, Ford Motor, Aisin, Sonoco Protective Packaging, Toyobo, and Dow Chemical visited with CFR Development Officers and other Development and campus partners in the past month to broaden strategic partnerships and find new avenues of engagement with Clemson.

Spirit Communications has donated broadband services to Clemson valued at $1.42 million. These services will provide South Carolina’s three premier research universities, MUSC, USC, and Clemson, with a state-of-the-art fiber optic backbone through the South Carolina LightRail (SCLR).

IBM has recently contributed $30,000 to support the research of Dr. Shen, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and $40,000 to support the Extreme Orange Creative Inquiry project, which allows Clemson students to pursue solutions to real-world problems related to Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and big data analysis, among other topics.

The Eppley Foundation for Scientific Research has awarded Dr. Terri Bruce, Academic Program Director and Manager of the Clemson Light Imaging Facility (CAFLS) and adjunct faculty member of bioengineering, a grant of $24,820 to support her research on how cells package, transport, release and uptake small, signal-packed droplets used for cell-to-cell communication, called exosomes. By developing a stronger understanding of cell communication, Dr. Bruce’s work has the potential to shed light on critical issues, such as disease transmission and progression as well as cancer metastasis.

BMW has donated $25,000 to support the South Carolina Coalition for Math and Science (SCCMS) under the leadership of Dr. Tom Peters.

In the Headlines

Big Switch Networks has contributed a $1.23 million gift-in-kind of networking technology, which will make Clemson’s complex computer network more manageable. Big Switch Networks, of Santa Clara, CA, is a leader in developing software-defined networking technology, with roots in the original Stanford research team that invented Software Defined Networking (SDN). The company is widely considered to be one of the original pioneers of SDN. The software will make the network another programmable part of Clemson’s high-bandwidth computing infrastructure. It will enable engineers to easily automate and adjust network traffic to meet changing demands.

Stewardship

Clemson recently welcomed Wells Fargo to campus for the annual Wells Fargo Day, which celebrates their support of Clemson programs Call Me MISTER and Emerging Scholars since 2006. The 2015 Wells Fargo Day began with a “Scattergories” type activity which allowed Emerging Scholars students to discuss financial planning and wealth management topics with Wells Fargo executives in an informal, fun atmosphere. Following the activity, Clemson guests joined Wells Fargo, Emerging Scholars, and Call Me MISTERS for a luncheon and program, which included a song performed by several MISTERS and poetry reading by two Emerging Scholars. Guests also heard from Wells Fargo Regional President for South Carolina Kathy Heffley.