Author: Colby Lanham

Elizabeth LeCroy, Account/Fiscal Analyst II, Controller’s Office

“Elizabeth provided exceptional training for campus users across the state during the Workday transition. During a chaotic time marked by fiscal year changes and new systems & procedures, Elizabeth remained approachable & available to everyone. Her trainings were user-friendly; she welcomed questions and followed through by circling back to users with specific needs. She has continued to provide timely assistance & support, while showing her colleagues patience and understanding. Thank you!” – Anonymous

Donnie Lloyd, Director, Auxiliary Planning & Support

Forever grateful that you’re always willing to jump in, solve problems, and help get things done—even when the path forward needs a little “concrete” thinking and creativity behind the scenes. Appreciate you greatly. Mission accomplished!” – Brianna Lombardozzi, Director, Housing Operations

Jaquetta Ross, Director, Graduate Student Success, Graduate School

“Jaquetta is extremely helpful, brings a burst a joy to any space, and makes Clemson a better place for grad students, staff, and faculty!” – Anonymous

Alexis Shepard, Training/Onboarding Specialist FIN | Human Resources

“Alexis is a fantastic Workday training session (Finance: Gifts & Endowments) instructor!” – Shelly Geer, Assistant Director, Internal Operations, Athletic Academic Services

McKenzie Betfort, Fiscal Analyst II Payroll Support, Finance & Operations

“McKenzie makes a positive difference. She goes above and beyond to support students and faculty in the SOC Department with kindness, professionalism, and a willingness to help. Her caring attitude and dependability make her someone we can always count on. Thank you, McKenzie, for your dedication and the positive impact you have on the department.” – Anonymous

Anne Grant, AI Literacy/Instruction Coordinator & Humanities Research Librarian, University Libraries

“Anne has assembled a diverse team of faculty, staff, and students to develop and organize resources that advance AI literacy across campus. Her collaborative leadership and ability to distill complex information into clear, practical guidance will help our University better understand the rapidly evolving world of AI and its role in academic settings.” – Kellie Marlatt, Administrative Coordinator

Stephanie Bagwell, Nurse Practitioner, Student Health Services

“Stephanie demonstrates genuine care for her patients and her colleagues. She is always happy to help you learn in an approachable and nonjudgmental way and has a beautiful gift of kindness. Thank you.” – Anonymous

Allysa Sutton, Director of Academic Advising, CBSHS

“Allysa goes above and beyond for her advisors and for the students at Clemson. She is supportive and always ensures that advisors and students are treated with kindness and respect. CBSHS is lucky to have her!” – Autumn Donnelly, Academic Advisor, CBSHS

Shannon Coker (Enrolled Student Services) and Danielle Nesbitt (Records and Registration)

“Thank you both for consistently being so prompt in your responses and always willing to help! Your support is truly appreciated!” – Toni Becker, Graduate Student Services Manager

Gila Holland, Administrative Assistant, Kershaw County Extension Office

“Gila comes in every day ready to tackle anything that comes her way! She is upbeat, kind, and so knowledgeable about a variety of things. She always goes above and beyond for the community, clients and agents! She is a joy to work with!” – Toni Heriot, 4-H Youth Development Agent for Kershaw & Lee County, Kershaw County Coordinator

Matthew Sheldon, Programmer, Marketing and Communications

“Matthew consistently goes out of his way to help with website-related questions and is highly responsive. He is knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely invested in finding solutions. He follows through on the tasks and issues he is responsible for, making him someone we can consistently depend on whenever we need support or run into challenges.” – Nidhi Verma, Business Communications Technology Specialist

Levis Holden (Customer Service Specialist) and Candice Gleason (Accounts Payable Coordinator), Procurement

“You bring your absolute best to every interaction, turning challenges into smiles and building deep trust with your customers. Your patience, empathy, and quick problem-solving don’t just resolve daily issues; they create lifelong advocates for Clemson. Thank you for going the extra mile, listening with genuine care, and representing Clemson with pride.” – Vivian Watson, Director of Training, Development and Retention, Office of Human Resources

Jodi Cox(director of Visits, Events and Orientation), Matthew Boudreaux (Associate of Orientation), Averie Johnson-Walls (Assistant Director of Orientation)

“I want to give a huge shoutout to this incredible team! Thank you for your dedication, energy, and countless hours spent creating a welcoming and memorable experience for every new student and family. Your hard work, teamwork, and commitment have made a lasting impact all summer long. We couldn’t do this without you, and I’m so grateful for everything you’ve poured into Orientation. Thank you for all that you do!” – Norma DeLuna, Assistant Director of The Visitor Center

Extension Statewide County Office Administrative Assistants

“A huge shout-out to our amazing county office admins for stepping up and carrying the team through our transition to Workday. Your patience, flexibility, and commitment have made a complicated change feel manageable. You have answered countless questions, solved problems behind the scenes, kept important details moving, and supported everyone. Even as you learned new processes yourselves, you remained the steady, dependable resource the entire office could count on. This transition would not have gone as smoothly without your hard work, positive attitude, and willingness to help. Thank you!!” – Anonymous

Charlie Poole, Electrician, Maintenance

“Thanks for solving an electrical short in such a timely manner! Charlie was responsive, patient, and thorough in getting our essential equipment running safely in no time.” – Shannon Alford, Lab Director, Agricultural Service Laboratory

Lydia Arneson, Administrative Coordinator, Department of Political Science

“I want to give a heartfelt shout-out to Lydia for everything she’s been doing. With the implementation of Workday, she has taken on the workload of two people and stepped in to help another department keep things moving—all while maintaining a positive attitude. No matter how busy things get, she’s always willing to jump in, solve problems, and support those around her without hesitation. She has helped so many of us across the college, and her willingness to share her knowledge and lend a hand has made a real difference. Thank you, Lydia, for all the long hours, the extra effort, and the care you put into your work. Your contributions do not go unnoticed, and our team is stronger because of you. We are incredibly grateful for everything you do!” – Anonymous

Taylor Purvis, Project Manager I

“Shout out to our Project Manager, Taylor Purvis for his outstanding communication, professionalism, and diligence throughout the Lee Hall water restoration project. His responsiveness, helpfulness, and commitment to keeping everyone informed made a challenging situation much smoother. Thank you for your dedication and for helping restore water service to Lee Hall!” – Cornelia Robinson, Administrative Coordinator, Dean’s Office

The Nook volunteers

“A heartfelt thank you to the incredible volunteers who make The Nook possible. Their time, compassion, and willingness to serve are the reason we’re able to support Clemson employees facing difficult seasons. Whether they are stocking shelves, organizing donations, assisting shoppers, or working behind the scenes, every act of kindness makes a meaningful difference. Thank you for helping create a campus community where people feel cared for, supported, and never alone.” – Tracy Arwood, Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer, University Compliance & Ethics

Alexis Shepard, Training Specialist, Workday Training Team

“Alexis is a rockstar during a very stressful, busy time with the Workday launch! If it weren’t for Alexis, I wouldn’t have been able to lead the training sessions I was assigned this week. She took the time out of her overbooked schedule to discuss the materials and answer any questions before the training. I am very thankful that our paths have crossed! The training team is blessed to have Alexis as part of their team!” – Tara Long, Associate Business Officer, Provost Office

Michael Parrish, Assistant Director of Fraternity & Sorority Housing

“Michael is always available to help with IT questions and needs in our office. He is patient and supportive and we are very grateful for his role on our team.” – Fraternity and Sorority Life team

The Clemson University Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine team

“As Clemson University prepares to welcome the inaugural Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2030, the faculty and staff of the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine have accomplished something truly remarkable. While recruiting faculty, staff & students, developing curriculum, establishing clinical partnerships, hiring, and preparing to move into a brand-new campus, this team has worked tirelessly to build Clemson’s newest college from the ground up. Their collaboration, resilience, and unwavering commitment are creating a legacy that will impact veterinary medicine and generations of Clemson students for decades to come.”

Tori Charles, Director of Applied Research, Clemson’s Learning Institute

“Tori consistently goes above and beyond for her team, always making herself available to support others even during her well-deserved time off. She is an exceptional leader, mentor, and colleague who generously offers feedback, lends a helping hand, and encourages the professional growth and success of everyone around her.” – Alexis Sales, Research Associate, Clemson’s Learning Institute

Mitch Day, Executive Talent Partner, Office of Human Resources

“Mitch and his team have been integral to keeping my transition to using Workday smooth. Mitch provided exceptional support and timely updates regarding my questions. It was a pleasure working with him.” – Anonymous

Emily Arrowood, HRIS Business Analyst, Office of Human Resources

“Emily has been a standout support during the Workday transition! Her knowledge, problem-solving superpowers, and patience are unmatched. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with Emily.” – Anonymous

Barbara Ramirez, Faculty, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences (CECAS)

“Barbara comes into work each day waiting to encourage and assist faculty, staff and students on proposals, dissertations, ABET reports, articles for publications, help graduate students on personal statements to grad schools, government grants and a plethora of other things. She is above and beyond, but for her, “it’s just fun.” She is amazing and needs to be celebrated.” – Tracy Dodson, Administrative Coordinator

Ken Marcus, Robert Adger Bowen Professor of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry

“Ken has been a remarkable mentor to junior faculty in the Department of Chemistry over the last several years. His leadership and mentoring have directly resulted in sustained excellence by assistant professors, evidenced by numerous major NIH and NSF awards.” – Anonymous

Dave Lee (Assistant Vice President, CECAS Promotion) and Tim Crain (Director of Design, CECAS Promotion)

“Dave Lee and Tim Crain helped the Department of Mechanical Engineering upgrade the innovation lab space. The improvements will help enhance the ME brand to people who visit and use the space. We appreciate Dave and Tim working with Dr. Todd Schweisinger to promote the department. The new space looks amazing! Students, faculty and visitors will love it!” – Anonymous

Luther Stephen Cash, Professor Emeritus of Accounting, passed away on June 25, 2026. After a prominent fifty-year career practicing tax law in Tennessee, he moved to Clemson and taught accountancy at Clemson University.

Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Cash served in the United States Army and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Accounting from the University of Tennessee and his J.D. degree from the University of Tennessee School of Law, and a L.L.M. in Law and Taxation from the Washington University School of Law. He practiced tax law at Frantz, McConnell & Seymour. On June 19th, 2015, the Tennessee Bar Association honored Cash as a senior counselor for his 50 years of practice.

Steve moved on to Clemson University, where he taught in the Accountancy Department and co-authored and published numerous legal and accounting article. Steve was awarded Professor Emeritus status in the Accountancy Department.

He is survived by his wife, Anne Cash; daughter, Maria Tyler and husband Corey; grandchildren, Jackson Tyler and Shelby Tyler; sister, Patti Fain; niece, Angela Fain.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 1 p.m. in Berry-Lynnhurst Funeral Home, 2300 Adair Drive, Knoxville, TN. The family will receive friends following the service.

An obituary for Cash is available online.

Antonio “Tony” Craig, Hazardous Materials Supervisor in the Occupational and Environmental Safety Department, passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Craig began his career at Clemson in 2021.

“Tony was an exceptional person and staff member. There was never a time he wasn’t wearing a smile and had an infectious laugh that brought a smile to everyone he met. He was always willing to help and went above and beyond the call of duty for not only his job but for lending a hand around the office,” Jim Grieger, executive director of Occupational and Environmental Safety, said.

“If something needed to be moved or lifted or some other odd ball department need he was willing to help. There wasn’t a spill he hasn’t cleaned up. He also volunteered in his community with the Spartanburg Search and Rescue. He was a person who put others before himself and was a proud military veteran. I will especially miss his positive attitude and dedication to OES. He will be greatly missed.”

An obituary for Craig is available online.

The Clemson University EAP is available to employees seeking additional resources during this time. For more information and assistance, please call (866) 365-0813 or visit the EAP website.

Esther Kauffman, Accounting/Fiscal Manager I, Architecture

“Esther worked tirelessly and efficiently to maintain the finances for the School of Architecture. But more than that, she is true professional, colleague, and friend to those around her. With her retirement on July 1, she deserves all the recognition for her years of service. I dare say she is irreplaceable!” – Anonymous

Elise Eggert, Lead Procurement Coordinator, Business Office (College of Architecture, Art and Construction)

“Elise consistently goes above and beyond her job duties in helping the Dean’s Office. You can give her a task and you’ll know it will get done right, and with kindness and a sense of humor.” – Anonymous

Tina Parker, Clinical Facility Manager, Godley-Snell Research Center

“Tina is always a big help! She provided key advice and we are super grateful!” – Anonymous

Leonard Joseph “Skip” Spooner, 80, of Greenville, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 19, 2026.

Spooner joined Clemson University as a faculty member in the Management program on August 15, 2011, after retiring from his law practice. During his time in the management program at The Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business, Spooner’s real-world experience was essential in connecting with students and colleagues alike.

“Skip’s generosity, professionalism, and ability to connect real-world experience with the classroom made a lasting impact on our department, college and our students,” Carl Hollingsworth, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, said.

“Skip is going to be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. He was a gentleman’s gentleman and wanted to help everyone he met – his colleagues, his clients, his friends, and his students,” Department Chair Craig Wallace said.

“I am especially going to miss our banter concerning college sports. Skip loved Clemson, but also his Georgia Bulldogs. Here’s one for you, Skip ‘Go Dawgs’!”

Skip is survived by his loving and devoted partner, Leanne Fuller of Greenville, SC; his son, Casey Spooner of Berlin, Germany, and his mother Carole Raines Spooner; his brother, Charles (Deborah) Spooner of Jacksonville, Florida; his brother-in-law, Larry Shoemaker of Donalsonville, Georgia; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Pat Shoemaker.

A graveside service for immediate family and close friends will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Friendship Cemetery in Donalsonville, Georgia.

Spooner’s obituary is available online.