By Jackie Todd, office of Media Relations
What you see is what you get with Jim Clements. The down-to-earth, transparent and very approachable 15th president of Clemson University came to interact with faculty, staff and students in a series of forums March 5 and 6.
Through personal stories about his family, his life and his career, session attendees got a real sense of the university president, the way he operates and what motivates him. The youngest of four children, Clements, a first-generation college student, shared that his parents instilled the importance of hard work and education into their children. And that apparently worked – Clements and his siblings share 11 college degrees among them.
Though he likes to operate on a sense of urgency, the president took his time to give thoughtful responses to issues like staff morale, faculty evaluations and the provost search. Clements noted that there are a number of interim positions at Clemson and that can cause uncertainty among faculty and staff. To him, it is important not only to hire people, but to hire the right people at all levels throughout the institution.
“My hiring philosophy is simple,” Clements said. “I want to look into someone’s eyes and know that they are a good person and that they want to make a difference. I’m looking for someone who is collaborative, a team player, who thinks big and who can offer a record of accomplishments.”
About 600 faculty, staff and students attended the forums, which were also accessible online. Many who attended had high marks for the new president.
“It’s a wonderful thing that any chief administrator would actually go out and listen so early in his tenure,” said Kirby Player, director of college relations for agriculture, forestry and life sciences.
Bruce Whistler was unable to attend the faculty forum in person, so he watched the event live from his laptop. “I think it [the faculty forum] is quite valuable and I am glad so many people came and participated,” he said. “I was pleased that President Clements seemed to have already given thought to many of the issues that were raised by faculty.”
Staff members Eric Hand and Rosa Grayden joined the more than 200 staff in a standing-room-only staff forum at McKissick Theatre.
Hand, who works in university housing and dining services was happy at the opportunity to talk with Clements. “As busy as he is, it’s refreshing that he wants to hear from us, he said. “The president seems to have a genuine and caring heart. I believe that we’re moving in the right direction.”
Grayden, an officer manager in the sociology/anthropology department, was elated that the president took the time to listen to staff concerns. “We know that he’s new, but I am glad that he’s touchable – that he’s and not off limits and that he’s listening,” she said. “He said he came to learn from us and we learned that that he is personable, very intelligent and willing to learn. There is no ‘I,’ it’s all about making a team.”
