Clemson University is honoring two long-serving trustees — Thomas B. McTeer Jr. of Columbia and Joseph D. Swann of Greenville — with the university’s highest public honor, the Clemson Medallion.
The Clemson Medallion is presented to individuals who have rendered notable and significant service and support to Clemson University and who exemplify the dedication and foresight of university founder Thomas Green Clemson.
“These two gentlemen have devoted so much of their lives to Clemson. From the time they were students, they have been leaders for this university, and it is a great honor to be able to recognize them for their dedication,” said university President James F. Barker. “Clemson would not be the university it is today without their hard work and leadership.”
McTeer, a native of Early Branch in Hampton County, graduated from Clemson in 1960 with a degree in industrial management. Though he has been a Tiger fan since childhood, McTeer almost ended up a Gamecock.
“I was originally going to Carolina on a football scholarship, but at the last minute, Coach Frank Howard offered me a scholarship, so I packed my bags and came to Clemson,” he said.
During his time at Clemson, McTeer was involved with student government, serving as vice president of the senior class and also as vice president of the Central Dance Association. He was a member of Tiger Brotherhood and Blue Key Honor Society, played football and ran track. After graduation, McTeer went into a career in real estate. He is president of McTeer Real Estate Inc. in Columbia. He uses his expertise and experience as a member of Clemson’s Real Estate Foundation board.
McTeer credits two former trustees — the late Jim Self of Greenwood and the late P.W. McAlister of Laurens — with fostering his interest to join the board of trustees.
“The thought had never entered my mind,” McTeer said. “Jim Self was the one who really got me thinking about it.”
McTeer was elected to the board in 1976. He retired in 2012 after 35 years of service, making him one of the longest-serving trustees in Clemson’s history.
“The things Clemson is doing now, nobody envisioned back then,” he said. “We had no idea what this university was capable of. So much of our success goes back to the vision Thomas Green Clemson laid out in his will. He was such a visionary in his time. You don’t see many true visionaries, but he was one.”
All three of McTeer’s daughters graduated from Clemson, as well as one of his grandchildren. One grandchild is currently enrolled, with another one planning to attend Clemson next year.
“Clemson has been a part of my entire life,” he said. “I can’t visualize what my life would be without Clemson. I can never repay Clemson for everything it’s done for me.”
Swann graduated from Clemson in 1963 with a degree in ceramic engineering. The Clio native said that he was a Tiger fan growing up, but that it was Clemson’s strong engineering programs that led him to the college.
As a student, Swann was involved with student government and was a member of the Numeral Society and Tiger Brotherhood. He wrote for the student newspaper, The Tiger, and for the engineering magazine, Slipstick. He served as president of his junior and senior classes.
“I was involved in many of the things that make Clemson a great student experience and learned a lot about self-discipline and leadership,” said Swann. “I was a student when Harvey Gantt enrolled in Clemson, and student government played a large part in working with Dean [Walter] Cox to make Clemson a more welcoming place for him.”
After graduation, Swann left South Carolina to work for Ferro Corp. in the ceramics industry in Cleveland. While there, he earned an MBA from Case Western Reserve University. He later took a job with Reliance Electric, where he held several positions in Ohio and Georgia before returning to South Carolina to live in Greenville in 1981. In 1995, Reliance Electric was acquired by Rockwell Automation, and Swann was named president of Rockwell Automation Power Systems and senior vice president of Rockwell Automation. He retired from the company as president in 2007.
Swann served on Clemson’s board of visitors and was elected to the board of trustees in 1990, with the encouragement of Trustee Emeritus Allen Wood. Like McTeer, Swann’s three children followed in his footsteps, all graduating from Clemson.
“For most of my life, I have attempted to thank Clemson for a great education and a solid start along life’s highway,” said Swann. “Clemson University is a very special place, and the Clemson family is very real and meaningful. It was important to me as a maturing student and helped me gain confidence and have the ability to lead in my business career.”
Swann said it is an exciting time to serve as a trustee for Clemson.
“I am a strong proponent of Clemson’s Top 20 goal and of its mission to help students learn to live healthy lives,” he said. “I strongly believe that as Clemson moves toward Top 20 status, we must ensure that Clemson will still be Clemson.”
The Clemson Medallion recognizes an individual who has had a long and sustained commitment and significant service to Clemson University. Recipients of the Clemson Medallion have earned the respect and admiration of people throughout the university family.
