Category: Speeches

Good afternoon. Thank you all for being here today and thank you for your service to the University. It is an honor to be with you in one of the top performing arts centers.

First, let me say congratulations to today’s award winners! You make us all proud to be at Clemson. Let me also thank David Blakeslee, Antonis Katsiyannis and Matt Bundrick for their leadership. Their advice and counsel to me and to the Board of Trustees has been invaluable – during this year of transition. Also since this is Dr. Jones’ first meeting of this type as Executive Vice President /Provost, let’s thank him for his leadership.

It is hard for me to believe that it has been a year since I joined the Clemson Family. And it has been a whirl-wind to say the least.

It has been a pleasure to meet so many wonderful people, to travel all over the state and to hear how much people admire and respect Clemson University.

We enjoyed many significant achievements in 2014 – including the fact that we reached our goal of being one of the nation’s Top 20 public universities.

We also set new records in fund-raising, enrolled another academically strong freshman class and welcomed hundreds of new faculty and staff members to the Clemson Family.

As we look forward to the holiday season and the start of a new year we can take pride and satisfaction knowing that Clemson continues to achieve great things.

Just a few weeks ago, Provost Jones and I held a town meeting to officially kick off the process of re-assessing and updating our strategic plan.

We don’t need to cover that ground again here today – but do know that work is under way and it is moving fast.

The committee structure and membership was announced Monday in Inside Clemson – along with a link to a dedicated website so that you can keep track of progress. You can also provide your input thru this website. And, please do.

However, even as that work takes place, we continue to make progress by implementing the existing plan.

Right now, undergraduate applications are running about 10 percent ahead of the same time last year – which, by the way, was a record year.

And, I’m pleased to announce that this week The Will to Lead capital campaign passed the $850 million mark on the way toward our goal of $1 billion.

That is a significant milestone, but it’s not about the number. It’s about scholarships, faculty and staff support, facilities and programs that will make a difference for our students and our state. I am very thankful to all – who have contributed to this effort!

We also have more than 1 million square feet of construction and renovation projects under way. These projects include the Watt Innovation Center, the expansion of Freeman Hall, Core Campus and Douthit Hills – with more to come.

Replacing and updating our outdated facilities and infrastructure is good news for our students, faculty and staff – even if it comes with temporary inconveniences.

At the same time, it has been a difficult semester in many respects.

We have lost five students – all of whom were bright and smart young people with enormous potential. I ask that you continue to keep the families of those young people in your thoughts and prayers

We also received a number of reports of inappropriate and deeply disturbing behaviors that led to a moratorium on social activities and internal investigations into a number of fraternity organizations.

And, in recent weeks, we have seen events and issues – ranging from an inappropriate themed party to hurtful social media posts – that have caused division and made some of our students feel unwelcome.

Clearly, positive change is needed, and I want to express my appreciation to the many students, faculty, staff and alumni who have come forward to ask – how can they help.

I have asked our Chief Diversity Officer Leon Wiles and our Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Almeda Jacks to lead an effort to enhance diversity and foster a greater sense of unity among all members of the Clemson Family.

Specifically – we are launching the following new initiatives:

• A President’s Lecture Series on Leadership in Diversity to bring nationally recognized speakers to campus;

• A monthly Student Luncheon Dialogue that will bring minority and majority students together to enhance communication and understanding; and

• A standing Diversity Council with a broad-based membership of internal and external groups to keep issues and ideas at the forefront.

We will also review all existing diversity plans, climate studies and task force recommendations that have been issued over the past several years – to see where we have had success and where we have fallen short of our goals.

We know that these actions will not prevent occasional thoughtless or hurtful remarks or acts, but I hope they will demonstrate a step towards our commitment to the core values we teach our student:   integrity, honesty and respect.

 

We should recognize and take pride in areas where we are making progress:

• We have implemented a new need-based grant program targeting low-income students

• We have hired Professor Emeritus Curtis White, who is leading an effort to recruit and retain minority faculty

• The Diversity Office is now allocating nearly a quarter of a million dollars each year to support minority doctoral students, and

• We have a new Pathfinder program that is bringing eight to 10 minority doctoral students to the campus annually for lectures, visits and networking.

• More than 500 faculty, staff and administrators have completed civil workplace training programs, and

• The Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Grant Fund has funded more than 30 awards for cross-cultural learning experiences.

I suspect there will be a lot of discussion on the campus about diversity and inclusive excellence as we revise our strategic plan. There are many good ideas embedded in existing reports, and additional climate studies are planned for this spring. This gives us a solid foundation to develop — an action-oriented plan.

Clemson University has accomplished great things in the past, and I believe we have an even brighter future ahead of us if we work together, if we support and respect each other, and if we provide a campus environment that allows everyone to succeed.

Thank you all for your hard work and your dedication to our students. I hope you have a wonderful, restful and peaceful holiday break.

 

E&G Budget presentation – Senate Finance

Remarks by Clemson President Jim Clements and Undergraduate Student Body President Kayley Seawright

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

 

Good morning!  Chairman Courson, Senator Jackson, Senator Verdin and Mr. Parks. Thank you for the opportunity to be here today to represent the students, faculty and staff of Clemson University.

Before I begin my formal remarks, I want to thank you and the other state leaders I’ve met over the past few months. I appreciate the warm welcome that you have given to me and my family. And, we are delighted to be members of a great university and a great state.

In my travels across the State during my first semester here I have learned that Clemson University is very highly regarded throughout the state.

Our academic programs are in high demand.  In fact, we had more than 20,000 undergraduate applications for the fall semester.

Businesses, industry, health care systems, K-12, and other colleges and universities want to partner with us.

Alumni want to give back to Clemson and we rank among the Top 5 public universities in the nation for alumni support.

All of these facts are a tribute to the excellent work of our faculty and staff on the campus and across the entire state.

At this time, I would like to recognize several members of our Board of Trustees who are in attendance:

• Nicky McCarter
• Kim Wilkerson
• David Dukes
• Dr. Louis Lynn
• Trustee Emeritus Dr. J.J. Britton

Before I present our budget request, I would like to introduce our undergraduate Student Government President Ms. Kayley Seawright.

Kayley is a mechanical engineering major from Anderson, South Carolina. I believe that Clemson students could not have a more energetic, more positive, or more effective leader. I have seen Kayley in action and she is a star. I’d like to invite her to say a few words on behalf of the students at Clemson University.

[ NOTE: Seawright’s remarks may be found at the bottom of this post. ]

Thank you, Kayley.  I am very thankful for your service to Clemson.    If you represent the future, I believe that we are in great shape.

II.  State of the University 

I’d like to start off with some good news.

As you know, we rank #21 among the nation’s Top public universities according to U.S. News.

We also rank 7^th in the nation for our students on their return-on-investment by Smart-Money magazine.

And, we rank 7^th for efficiency by US News for providing maximum output based on our resources.

In fact, we are viewed as a national model of efficiency in higher education.

So we rank among the best in the country for quality, for return on investment and for efficiency and that’s a pretty powerful combination.

Our students and faculty have been making a lot of headlines lately.

The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced that we are 1 of only 20 universities in the country chosen to compete in the 2015 Solar Decathlon.

Our students from multiple colleges will design & build a solar-powered house in competition with schools like Stanford, Texas and Yale.

Our bio-engineering and packaging science faculty are working with Innegra Technologies of Greenville and B&W Fiber Glass of North Carolina to develop new composite materials that could make safer helmets for football players and other athletes in other contact sports.

A Creative Inquiry student team is developing low-cost medical devices to improve health care in Third World nations. This work may also translate into lower costs for health care right here at home.

Researchers also are working on some of the toughest questions in nuclear safety – such as:

• how to build next generation reactors
• where to store waste , and
• better ways to test water for radio activity.

This research will help provide solutions for the aging nuclear power plants in South Carolina and across the nation.

These are just a few of the ways that Clemson faculty and students are tackling some of the greatest challenges facing our state and our nation.

 

III.    STATE FUNDING PRIORITIES

Before I share our state funding requests for next year, I first want to say thank you for the resources you provided this year.

We deeply appreciate your support for faculty and operations at our new Energy Innovation Center in North Charleston.

Your investment there ($3M) allowed us to more than double that investment by partnering with Duke Energy, SCANA, SCE&G, Santee Cooper and other South Carolina companies to create a public-private partnership that will benefit research higher education and workforce development.

Your investment ($1M) this year in student internships allowed us to exceed our participation goal in this on-campus program by 26 percent.

You also provided funding ($2.7M) in deferred maintenance for critical infrastructure improvements.

I want the Committee to know how valuable this investment has been to our campus. It has played a key role in our ability to address critical electrical infrastructure upgrades.

These investments will pay dividends for many years to come.

Before I move to our budget requests for this year, I would like to recognize and say thank you for the important funding stream that the General Assembly provides to Clemson through the South Carolina students that attend our institution.

While I am new to this state, I am not new to higher education.

From the perspective of the “outside looking in,” you are to be commended for having one of the best state scholarship programs in the country. You provide tremendous opportunity to South Carolina families through the LIFE and Palmetto Scholarships to keep our best and brightest right here.

Our legislative priorities for the coming year include requests for investments that will:

• Drive economic development
• Make our students more successful and more competitive in the marketplace, and
• Replace many outdated facilities and aging utility systems on campus.

First — we request $3 million to support a Center for Manufacturing Innovation at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research in Greenville.

This multi-disciplinary center will bring together faculty, industry, and government scientists, along with students (both undergraduate & graduate) to meet 2 goals:

• to develop and enhance technologies in advanced manufacturing, and
• to provide the workforce needed for this vital economic sector.

As you know manufacturing is essential to the economic health of South Carolina and the nation.

Second — we request $1 million in recurring funds to continue our nationally recognized internship program. This program is helping our students develop the skills that employers are looking for, which will make them more marketable after graduation.

Third — we request $1.5 million for an initiative called Focus on Student Success, a program aimed at increasing 4-year graduation rates. While Clemson is ranked 1^st in the state in 4- and 6-year graduation rates, our goal is to get even better.

These funds will support advising, mentoring, and additional support services for first-generation college students, increased course offerings and better utilization of the summer semester. Shortening the path to graduation will translate into real cost savings for families.

We also have 2 capital requests for one time funds:

First — we request $25 million for a new building for the College of Business and Behavioral Science, which accounts for many of our most in-demand academic programs.

The new facility will replace a 75-year-old building with lower cost and less disruption than a renovation.

Second — we request $15 million to replace the most vulnerable sections of our aging electrical distribution system. The utility system was built in the late 1950’s thru the mid-1960’s and it is now well beyond its expected lifespan.

In addition to these Clemson-specific requests, I would also like to support and endorse 3 additional priorities:

First, I ask that you consider funding, once again, the State’s Endowed Chairs Program. I believe it is one of the most important programs to the future of our research universities.

Second, we support the Commission on Higher Education’s request for funds related to affordability initiatives.

And finally, we also endorse the concept of funding institutions based on accountability.

Each of these initiatives will ensure the continued success of our state institutions to offer affordable, accessible, high-quality education to our young people.

IV.   Closing

I’d like to close with a story about a student named James Jernigan.

James is a computer engineering major from Seneca who will graduate in May.  He has held 2 professional campus internships in our Division of Computing and Information Technology through the program you helped to fund.

As an intern, James helped to develop mobile apps for the university. He also researched the answers to questions from users and developed “how-to” documents that are posted on the Computing and Information Technology website. These cover topics such as “How to connect to the Clemson wireless network” and  “How to set up a work group.”

Thanks to the quality of his education and his internship experiences, James recently interviewed with Boeing at a career fair on campus. He was offered, and accepted, a position in with Boeing in Charleston.

So this South Carolina native will stay in South Carolina and he will repay your investment in him many, many times over. That’s what these programs are all about.

Thank you for your interest in our students and thank you your service. I look forward to working with you to create even more opportunities for our students and our great state.

I am happy to answer any questions that you might have.

 

[ REMARKS by Kayley Seawright, President, Clemson University Undergraduate Student Government ] 

Good morning! My name is Kayley Seawright. I am a senior Mechanical Engineering major Anderson, South Carolina. I have had the honor and privilege of serving this year as Clemson’s Undergraduate Student Body President. Thank you for allowing me the time to share my thoughts, and the thoughts of my peers, on higher education in South Carolina.

First and foremost, thank you for your continued support of state-sponsored scholarships. I am a Palmetto Fellows recipient and it has allowed me to receive a quality education at Clemson University and is the main reason I am standing before you today. Six years ago when I began exploring my options for college, I thought I wanted to go out of state and my top choice was Duke University.  I decided to stay in-state because of the value that Clemson offered me as an in-state student. Growing up in an area where not many students had the opportunity to go to college, I witnessed the hope that these scholarships provided to students who deserved the chance to continue their education and later work in the state of South Carolina. I do encourage and challenge you to consider the rising cost of higher education as you plan for funding options in the future.

Clemson is unique in providing opportunities outside of the classroom because employers value those real-world experiences. Clemson has been innovative by creating these unique experiences outside the classroom with programs such as Creative Inquiry, co-ops, internships, and experiences working with our Social Media Listening Center. The majority of our students complete some sort of internship or co-op for a company off campus with many having to drive long distances for these job opportunities or rent apartments at the location.  One of our budget priorities for this year is a request for $1 million in recurring dollars build on the funding the legislature appropriated last year and enable Clemson to expand our on-campus internship and co-op programs. This would create more opportunities for those students who might be limited by having to drive to another city.  I hear of numerous students every semester who are looking for jobs on-campus and this is the perfect opportunity to provide for those students and many others!

I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to participate in research, a creative inquiry, and also several on-campus jobs. I worked with a creative inquiry group to model and simulate actual buildings on campus and test their energy efficiencies. The following semester, we expanded upon that creative inquiry and researched general changes that could be made for larger buildings to improve their energy efficiency. We applied concepts of heat transfer, thermodynamics, mechanics of materials, and structural statics to determine improvements. What made the project so fascinating and distinctive was the fact that it was testing actual buildings on campus where I attend class almost every day! I am now in my senior design class and my group is partnering with the Parker Hannifin company to design an automatic solution to a tube filler problem. These are experiences that will likely help me get a job in just a few months!

The past three and a half years as an undergraduate at Clemson have been the most rewarding years of my life! We continue to rise as a top-ranked nationally recognized university thanks to the leadership both on campus and across the state. Clemson provides exceptional student life and educational experiences for its students thanks to the wonderful community of faculty, staff, administrators and alumni who work and strive to create real value for students, the community, and for the State of South Carolina.

Clemson students realize that they would not have these opportunities without the facilities and infrastructure to support them.  A significant element of Clemson’s 2020 Roadmap is a commitment to operating efficiently and “building to compete” whether that be in research facilities or expanded on-campus housing.  This part of the plan recognizes the need for Clemson University to invest significant resources in facilities that allow Clemson to stay on the cutting edge in research and upgrade housing opportunities for our students. My peers and I are so grateful for all this body has provided to Clemson for over one hundred years now. It’s my hope that this body continues to provide Clemson with the support it needs to continue to develop and create exceptional value for everyone.

In conclusion, I would like to deliver a message from our students to you all. Thank you for listening to us, and thank you for making higher education a priority in South Carolina. Your investment in us is pivotal to the future of both our great state and our nation.

 

 

Prepared Remarks of President James P. Clements & Dr. George Askew 

Senate Finance Committee – Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee Budget Hearing

February 26, 2014

Chairman McGill — Senator Grooms — Senator Williams — Senator Campbell and Mr. Hawkins

Thank you for the opportunity to be here today to speak on behalf of Clemson University’s Public Service and Agriculture programs.

Even though I am new to Clemson, I am not new to understanding and experiencing the importance of our nation’s Land Grant System. And I am proud to be a part of a University that is highly regarded nationally for our programs in Extension – Research – Animal Health and Plant Regulatory Programs.

PSA is the face of Clemson to thousands of South Carolinians — who have never set foot in one of our classrooms. They are farmers, foresters or landowners. They are homeowners looking for help with gardening, food safety or pest control. They are young people looking for after-school or summer enrichment camps and programs.

In my opinion, 4H is one of the foremost educational and leadership programs for young people in this country. In fact, I will be a keynote speaker at the national 4-H conference next year.

And even if we don’t realize it we all benefit from the research  regulatory and educational services that PSA provides.

I’m excited to be at Clemson for many reasons one is because this year  is a landmark year for Clemson. We will observe:

• the 125^th anniversary of the founding of Clemson, and
• the 100^th anniversary of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914.

That federal legislation that created the national Cooperative Extension network has its roots in South Carolina and specifically Clemson.

It was co-authored and co-sponsored by a South Carolina Congressman named Frank Lever who was also a Trustee at Clemson. In fact, the Act is based on what Congressman Lever and Georgia Senator Hoke Smith called the Clemson model.

So from our very beginning, Clemson and the State of South Carolina have been leaders:

• in educational innovation
• in research that drives economic growth, and
• in outreach to communities and people in all 46 counties of the State.

I have the privilege of serving in several national leadership positions with the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and the American Council on Education. In those roles I get to interact with a lot of  university and government leaders from other states.

I can tell you, without hesitation or hype, that Clemson is highly regarded nationally. We are well-known for our focus, our strategic planning and our commitment to quality and accountability.

In fact, I have used Clemson as a model at the other institutions where I’ve served.

Just so you know, I was a first-generation college student the youngest of 4 siblings, all of whom have sought higher education as a means to ensure our professional success. We never had much when I was growing up, but we were taught the value of hard work and that education is the path to a better life. So, to me, this job is about giving back for opportunities that I’ve had because of education.

My background is in computer science, information technology, and project management. I love to teach and to perform research andI love working with students. I’m a data guy and I believe in accountability. I believe that it’ is important to set goals and to achieve them.

This is something that Clemson has done very well.  We’ve set and we’ve achieved and exceed our goals. That’s a tribute to Jim Barker’s leadership — to our faculty and staff, and to the work and support of the people in this room.

It’s a tradition that we plan to continue and your support for PSA will ensure that we stay on that path.

Thank you for the resources that you provided. I commit to you that we will continue to be good stewards with the funding we receive.

I look forward to working with each member of this Subcommittee, as well as the other agencies and associations represented here today. Together, we can make the agriculture industry in this State even stronger.

I’d now like to ask Dr. George Askew, Associate Vice President for Public Service and Agriculture, to report on how your support has been invested this year and outline our state funding requests for next year.

GEORGE ASKEW COMMENTS:

Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee

Let me join President Clements in thanking you for your support of PSA programs over the years.

Clemson has been serving as the science-based information source for the people of South Carolina for over 100 years. Our mission has not changed since our inception – to ensure that our farms, forests and other natural resource industries continue to be positive contributors to the state’s economy in terms of jobs, dollars, and competiveness at the regional, national and international level.

We develop our budget request each year with the end goal of creating and maintaining jobs in South Carolina, adding value to existing agriculture and forestry enterprises, and attracting new agribusiness investments to the state.

Clemson remains committed to ensuring that our programs do not duplicate or compete with other agencies, but instead are supportive and collaborative.

For the past year, Commissioner Weathers, State Forester Kodama, Mr. Shuler of the Palmetto Agri-Business Council, Department of Commerce representatives and I have been meeting regularly to compare notes, find areas of mutual concern, and develop collaborative strategies to move the South Carolina economy forward. We plan to continue this process.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank you for your leadership to initially bring this group together and task us with ensuring that we work together to serve the agriculture industry of this state.

_____________________________________________________

This morning I’ll spend just a few minutes to summarize what we have been doing with the new funds that we received last year.

Over the past 2 years we received $7M in Capital Improvement funds to upgrade the laboratories at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence in support of the Advanced Plant Technology Program.

 

To date, we have completed the bidding process for an architecture firm and a contract was awarded to Goodwyn, Mills, Cawood of Greenville, SC.

They are conducting the Phase I architecture and engineering work.

A plan to move faculty and staff to temporary quarters at Pee Dee REC during construction has been developed and is being implemented.

Last year we received $1M in recurring funds for the Advanced Plant Technology (APT) Program at the Pee Dee REC

A nationally recognized senior scientist, Dr. Steve Kresovich, was hired to lead the APT program.

Two additional plant breeders have been hired and are in residence at the Pee Dee REC. Our initial work is focused on peanuts, soybeans, and sorghum variety development and improvement.

Additional scientists will be employed after the laboratory renovation has been completed 

We received $500K in recurring funds to support the Precision Agriculture Program at Edisto REC

Searches are underway to fill four new precision agriculture positions at the Edisto REC: a precision agriculture engineer, a soil nutrient scientist, a sensor engineer, and a precision agriculture Extension specialist. All four positions should be filled and in-residence by late spring of this year. 

The Livestock & Poultry Health Unit received $300K in recurring funds to create 2 needed positions. 

Both positions have been filled: A Quality Manager and a Pathologist were hired to meet the recommendations of our accrediting body.

_____________________________________________________

This year we are asking you to consider new recurring funding for two specific programs and for capital improvement funds to that will allow us to replace outdated agriculture and natural resources research equipment.

We developed these requests in concert and collaboration with our constituents.

We have had discussions with our commodity boards as they consider research project requests, the SC Farm Bureau, the Palmetto Ag Business Council and others and it is clear that a new interest in agriculture is underway.

New interest means new people engaged in production, the business aspects of production, and the technical and technological aspects of production.  Our requests this year are focused on Clemson’s role to meet those needs of our current and emerging farm and forest industries.

I’ll provide a few details on each of these requests. There are hard copies in your folders.

Our number 1 request is for $2M in recurring funds to support an Agribusiness & Emerging Farmers program.

We would use this funding for Clemson Extension specialists and agents to develop an agribusiness program to provide budget analyses, marketing strategies, and production technology information to start-up agribusinesses, emerging farmers, and established farmers.

This program will apply to row crops, forestry, livestock, commercial horticulture, and food processing.

The program will be developed in collaboration with Clemson’s agribusiness degree program in the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences; and 4-H and FFA programs to nurture the next generation of industry leaders.

Our second request is for $2M in support of our Precision Agriculture & Environmental Technology work.

We would use these funds to hire research and Extension scientists to adapt Clemson’s Intelligent River® technology for Intelligent Farm® and Intelligent Forest® programs to maximize productivity and minimize environmental impact by applying fertilizer, pesticide, and irrigation water only in the locations and amounts needed.

The researchers and extension agents will be located across the state to assist farmers and foresters in implementing these technologies.

We are also requesting $5M in Capital Improvement Funds for Agriculture & Natural Resources Equipment.

Precision agriculture research and highly sophisticated sensor-based technology requires advanced and modern equipment to develop new technologies and improve the competitiveness of agricultural production.

The need for modern equipment is statewide at the Pee Dee REC in Florence, Edisto REC in Blackville, Baruch Institute in Georgetown, Coastal REC in Charleston, and on Clemson’s campus farms. Funds are also needed to update equipment at Livestock-Poultry Health in Columbia to continue safe and efficient operation of the state’s only veterinary diagnostic laboratory for livestock.

The governor recommended funding $750,000 for this request and the House Ways and Means Committee funded $3 Million in nonrecurring funding for this request.

I would ask with your permission, Mr. Chairman, that some of our partners be called on to speak to our work together and their support for these priorities.

 

 

Report of President James P. Clements  •  Clemson University Board of Trustees

Friday, February  7,  2014

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  It’s a pleasure to make my first official report to the Board.

As you know, I’ve been on the job for about 6 weeks now and it has been a great experience.   Beth and I want to thank the entire Clemson family for their very warm welcome.

Beth, Grace and I are settling in at the Clemson House, which also happens to be a student residence hall. That makes for some very interesting elevator conversations with the students!

Our daughter Hannah transferred to Clemson and is, ironically, also living at the Clemson House. Her rule is that she can drop by our apartment anytime she wants to, but we can’t go anywhere near her floor!

Living in the same dorm, however, gives Beth and Hannah some interesting mother-daughter bonding opportunities — like being in the laundry room in the basement late at night.

Here’s a Quick Recap of January:

I had the best campus tour any newcomer could ever ask for, thanks to President Kayley Seawright and an outstanding group of almost 300 students.

They literally took me all over campus – from the bell tower in Tilman Hall to Howard’s Rock and down on the football field! I think we actually made 10 stops in a 3-to-4 hour period!

I was so impressed by how much the students know about Clemson’s traditions and our heritage.

The tour was well-documented by student interns De Anne Anthony, Savannah Mozingo and Ellen Meny. You can find videos and photos our University YouTube and Flickr sites.

A lot of people commented to me about the photo taken with the Cheerleaders and the Rally Cats.

This was a perfect example of teamwork because there is no way I could be standing up there without the help of those two very strong guys – Daniel Stack and William Morgan! If they weren’t there, it would have been a very painful experience for me!  And, trust me, that is a lot harder than it looks!

State Funding

In terms of State funding, I had the opportunity to present our state budget requests to the House, and I was encouraged by the positive response.

I do want to point out that Kayley presented with me and did an outstanding job! In fact, she was so good I don’t think it mattered what I said because she literally stole the show!  She was great!

I was also honored to speak to the Textile Council of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance! Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for making that happen. And thank you Trustee McKissick for being there and introducing me to some very important leaders in that industry.

One industry leader who was there stopped me at our basketball game this week to tell me because of that event he entered into a new applied research agreement with the university!

We also officially opened our new facilities for graduate business programs at Greenville ONE last week. During that event we named the first-ever winners of the Innovative Spirit Awards – Joe Erwin and Greg Smith – who are both very successful entrepreneurs.

And, in terms of athletics, we had an impressive victory in the Orange Bowl over Ohio State and an exciting win in basketball at home over Duke.

Some of my favorite pictures from the Orange Bowl show us with Chairman Wilkins and his wife Susan, and Jim and Marcia Barker.

I was also honored to meet Rion Holcombe – the Ultimate Clemson fan – who will be in our Clemson Life program next fall.

By the way – I am not the Tigers good luck charm.  It is actually my daughter Grace, who is undefeated at all Clemson athletic events she has attended, including football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and diving!

We also had a very strong football recruiting class, including Cannon Smith (Bill Smith’s son) who we welcome to the Clemson family!

At the recruiting celebration Wednesday night, Coach Sweeney said that Cannon is one of the Top Tight Ends in the country. We celebrate the fact that our recruiting class ranks among the best in the nation!

Recent Recognitions and Achievements

It’s hard for me to talk about Clemson without bragging, so I’d like to share a few recent accomplishments.

Our value and efficiency has recently earned national recognition from Princeton Review, from Kiplinger, and from U.S. News and World Report – which ranked us #7 in the country among all national universities for efficiency.

This is a measure of cost and quality, which is a very powerful combination!

And this is on top of our  #7 return-on-investment ranking – among public and private universities – earned recently from SmartMoney.com.

Once again, we’ve earned a Top 5 national ranking for high-performance computing systems for public universities. The infrastructure that Jim Bottum and his team have built is the envy of many universities and even private-sector research labs.

Our Will to Lead campaign is progressing very well, under the capable leadership of Trustee McKissick.

We will have several major gift announcements in the next few weeks. We raised more than $10M during the month of January.

Clemson faculty and staff are all over the news these days:

Dr. Zoran Filipi, with CU-ICAR, was recently interviewed about automotive innovations for a story that aired globally on the Voice of America. We were the only university mentioned in the video.

In a recent Forbes Magazine article, psychology professor Dr. Philip Roth cautioned employers about putting too much stock in the Facebook sites of prospective employees. His research shows there’s not much correlation between social media posts and job performance.

We’ve seen a lot of media coverage about research led by Dr. Raja Rao on the use of aluminum foil to improve battery storage capacity.

In addition, the voting technology being developed at Clemson was featured in USA Today, and since I’m now a faculty member in Dr. Juan Gilbert’s department I had to mention that one.

Kevin McKenzie, our chief information security officer, works diligently to protect us against hacking, phishing and other cyber-attacks that could bring down the network or cause personal information to be compromised, possibly leading to identity theft. For his great work, Kevin was recently named the Information Security Executive of the Year for North America by the Tech Exec Network.

DeDe Norungolo, a staff member in our disability services office, was recently elected as the Chair of the South Carolina Universities College Council of Educators Empowering Disabled Students – or SUCCEEDS.

And the faculty, staff and students who operate the outreach programs at the Outdoor Lab helped our Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management Department earn a Special National Recognition Award from the American Camp Association.

My Top Priorities

Looking ahead, here are some of my priorities for the next few weeks and months.

First — my number one priority is to recruit outstanding leaders to fill the key positions that are currently vacant or filled on an interim basis.

Even if we have very capable and effective interim appointments – and we do – there is a sense of uncertainty about long-term planning and direction until we have permanent leaders in place.

With the help of Faculty Senate President Kelly Smith, I am finalizing a search committee to begin the search for a permanent Provost.

As you know, we will soon have another major leadership hole to fill when John Kelly assumes his new post as president of Florida Atlantic University. Congratulations once again to Dr. Kelly!  You have left a tremendous legacy at Clemson and we know you’ll do great things at Florida Atlantic University.

I have spent the past few weeks gathering information related to our Economic Development efforts to help determine the next steps regarding Economic Development and PSA – both of which are very important parts of the university.

We need to continue to build Clemson’s national reputation by hiring some high caliber of leaders.

We want nothing but A players who think BIG, who understand the importance of collaboration and can also act with a sense of urgency.

Secondly — I’m doing a lot of listening and learning as I meet with groups on campus, tour off-campus facilities and visit with legislators, alumni, business leaders and colleagues around the State.

Third — I’ve been studying and assessing the 2020 Road Map. The Administrative Council gave me a thorough overview and I’ve had a chance to go over the Report Card metrics with Dr. Debbie Jackson.

Here are some of my initial takeaways:

We’ve made substantial progress in student quality, in overall academic performance and in outreach and engagement. We need to continue those efforts.

We also are making good progress on our capital plan and we have a number of student housing and athletics projects on your agenda today.

One area that probably needs greater focus is on building the research and graduate education culture and capacity on our campus.

Finally — one of my priorities is to continue building Clemson’s academic reputation.

We have a lot of outstanding faculty and staff who are doing great work. We’re in the Top Tier in student quality and in retention and graduation rates. We have several truly innovative programs, from Creative Inquiry to Deep Orange.

Part of my job is to help spread this word.

As you know, I am fortunate to hold several national leadership positions with the American Council on Education and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.

Those opportunities give me a national platform to talk about the great things that are happening at Clemson and I intend to use the platform.

Academic reputation is key to recruiting world-class faculty, staff, students and academic leaders.

Latest Economic Impact Report

In terms of our economic impact, I’d like for the Board to be the first to hear the results of a report to be released next week.

There are many ways to measure the positive impact that a university has on its state – and — one way is by our economic impact on South Carolina’s bottom line.

A new report from Clemson’s Regional Economic Analysis Laboratory offers the following results:

In the Fiscal Year 2013 — Clemson generated approximately $1.9 billion dollars in economic output for the great State of South Carolina.

In addition, our activities account for:

• nearly 25,000 jobs
• more than $1 billion in disposal income for South Carolina households, and
• A net return to state taxpayers of $81.8 million.  That is the difference between our net impact on state government revenue and our appropriations from the State;

In addition, we contributed a net return to local governments of $128.2 million. In other words — Clemson is a net funder of local and state government.

These are also very conservative estimates. The study does not count the contributions of the nearly 60,000 Clemson alumni who live in South Carolina. It does not count private-sector jobs created through our economic development activities.  And it doesn’t put a dollar value on the contributions to quality of life through research and outreach.

Clearly, Clemson University is vital to the economic health of the State.

Report Card

For a more detailed assessment about how we’re doing, I will ask Debbie Jackson to distribute the Report Card.

In closing:

I know that President Barker always started his presentations with a story about Life in the President’s House. I would like to end my presentation with a story about one of our students, Emily Howard,  who’s here with us today.

She’s also been pretty busy the past few weeks setting new school diving records at the pool … making the Fall President’s List with a 4.0 grade-point average … and earning awards for her incredible commitment to outreach and public service.

Emily is a senior from Newtown, Pennsylvania, majoring in Psychology. She’s Clemson’s record-holder in 2 diving events and is the team’s points leader so far this year.

She made the ACC Academic Honor Roll 3 times and she received the honorable mention Scholar All-America award from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America.

Just a few weeks ago, she added another accomplishment to that long list when she was named the student recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Excellence in Service Award.

Emily has compiled more than 100 hours of community service in just the past 2 years. She:

• helped organize our student-athletes participation in the University’s Relay for Life event for the past two years.
• chaired the “Be a T.I.G.E.R.” Field Day for Children, which teaches kids about character development through fun and engaging activities.
• organized the university’s Run for Boston this past spring to raise funds for families victimized by the Boston Marathon bombing.

Emily is a frequent speaker at area elementary and middle schools for the athletic department’s character building program.

She is involved in Clemson’s Community Care Secret Santa project, Empower Clemson, Special Olympics and she volunteers at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital. She also actively participates in programs to discourage irresponsible alcohol use.

The only other thing I can say is: We are so blessed to have such an incredible young lady like this at Clemson.

Emily, you are a tremendous person — a dedicated student-athlete and a great ambassador for this great university!  Would you please stand and allow us to recognize and thank you for your leadership and commitment to public service?  You make us all very proud to be Clemson Tigers.

Let me also welcome Dr. Loreto Jackson, Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services, who helps all of our athletes reach their potential. Thank you, Dr. Jackson, for helping Emily arrange her schedule so that she could be here today.

That is what it is all about.  Making a positive difference in the lives of our student and in the lives of others!

I want the Board to know that I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve here with you, and I promise to do my best to make a positive difference on the campus and in the community!

Mr. Chairman, that concludes my report.

REMARKS by Dr. James P. Clements, President, Clemson University

Subcommittee on Economic Development and Natural Resources

SC House Ways & Means Committee

January 15, 2014

Chairman Simrill, Representative Loftis, Representative Stavrinakis, and Mr. Boan: Good morning and thank you for having me here.

Mr. Chairman, I want to congratulate you on your recent recognition as Farm Bureau’s Legislator of the Year!

It is nice to know that the Chairman of this Committee is such a strong advocate for agricultural interests in this State.

Before I begin, I would like to take a minute to introduce the members of the Board of Trustees and the Board of Visitors who are here today.  Thank you, Trustee Joe Swann, Trustee Bob Peeler, Trustee Nicky McCarter, Trustee Patty McAbee and Trustee Emeritus Dr. J. J. Britton, along with Board of Visitor member Hank Owen.

Thank you for the opportunity to be here today and speak on behalf of Clemson University’s Public Service and Agriculture programs.

PSA is the face of Clemson to thousands of South Carolinians who have never set foot in one of our classrooms.

They may be farmers, foresters or landowners. They may be homeowners looking for help with gardening, food safety or pest control. They may be young people looking for after-school or summer enrichment camps and programs.

All of these programs make a real difference.  In my opinion, 4H is one of the foremost educational and leadership programs for young people in this country.

The truth is, we all benefit from the research, regulatory and educational services that PSA provides.

I’m excited to be at Clemson for many reasons – One of them is because 2014 will be a landmark year for Clemson.

We will observe:

• the 125^th anniversary of Clemson’s founding, and
• the 100^th anniversary of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914.

That federal legislation created the national Cooperative Extension network.  Extension helped fulfill the promise of the land-grant college system by taking university-generated knowledge out of the classrooms in order to deliver it directly to the people who need it.

When President Woodrow Wilson signed the Smith-Lever Act into law, he called it “one of the most significant and far-reaching measures for the education of adults ever adopted by any government.”

I think he was right!

You all know that Extension is part of Clemson’s mission. What you may not know is that Clemson – and the state of South Carolina – played key roles in its origin.

The legislation was co-authored and co-sponsored by a South Carolina Congressman who was also a Clemson Trustee — Frank Lever.

In fact, the Act is based on what Congressman Lever and Georgia Senator Hoke Smith called “the Clemson model.”

So from the very beginning, Clemson and the State of South Carolina have been leaders . . .

• in educational innovation …
• in research that drives economic growth, and
• in outreach to communities and people in all 46 counties of the state.

I have the privilege of serving in leadership positions with the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and the American Council on Education.

In those roles — I meet many university and government leaders from around the country.  I can tell you without hesitation or hype that Clemson is highly regarded nationally.

Clemson is well-known for our strategic planning and our commitment to quality and accountability.  In fact, I have frequently used Clemson as a model at other institutions where I’ve served.

I would like to take just a minute to tell you a little bi about myself.  I was a first-generation college student – the youngest of four siblings who have 11 degrees among us.

We never had much when I was growing up, but we were taught very early that education is the path to a better life. So to me, this job is about giving back for opportunities that I’ve had because of education.

My background is in computer science, information technology, and project management. I love teaching and research, and I love working with students.

I’m a data guy – I believe in accountability. It’s important to set goals and to achieve them. That’s something Clemson has done very well – We have set, achieved and even exceeded our goals.

That’s a tribute to President Jim Barker’s leadership, to the work of our faculty, staff and students, and to the work and support of the people in this room.

It’s a tradition that we plan to continue, and your support for PSA will ensure that we stay on that path.

I’d like to ask George Askew, associate vice president for Public Service and Agriculture, to report on how your support has been invested this year and outline our state funding requests for next year.

But first, I want to say “thank-you” for the resources you provided this year. I commit to you that we will continue to be good stewards with the funding we currently receive.

I am truly excited to be with you today as Clemson’s 15^th president.

I look forward to working with each member of this Subcommittee as well as the other agencies and associations represented here today to make the agriculture industry in this state even stronger.

******

[  REMARKS of Dr. George Askew, Associate VP for Public Service & Agriculture ]

Good morning, Chairman Simrill, Mr. Stavrinakis, and Mr. Loftis.

First, I’d like to join President Clements in thanking you for your support of PSA programs

As you know, Clemson has a land-grant university mission to serve as a science-based information source for the people of South Carolina – specifically to ensure that our farms, forests and other natural resource industries continue to be positive contributors to the state’s economy.

As we develop our budget request each year, our goal is to identify programs that can keep jobs in South Carolina, add value to existing agriculture and forestry enterprises, and attract new agribusiness investments to the state.

We are committed to ensuring that our programs do not duplicate or compete with other agencies, but instead are supportive and collaborative. I regularly meet with Commissioner Weathers, State Forester Kodama, Mr. Shuler of the Palmetto Agri-Business Council, and Department of Commerce representatives to compare notes, find areas of mutual concern, and develop collaborative strategies to move the South Carolina economy forward.

Last year the General Assembly provided new funding for PSA to refurbish and modernize laboratories at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence, establish a leading-edge plant improvement program, and enhance our ongoing precision agriculture program at the Edisto Research and Education Center in Blackville and to hire two needed positions in our Livestock & Poultry Health Unit.

I’ll spend just a minute to give you an update on what we have been doing with those funds.

To date, we have completed the  bidding process for an architecture firm and a contract was awarded to Goodwyn, Mills, Cawood of Greenville, SC.

They are conducting the Phase I architecture and engineering work.

A plan to move faculty and staff to temporary quarters at Pee Dee REC during construction has been developed and is being implemented.

A nationally recognized senior scientist, Dr. Steve Kresovich, was hired to lead the APT program. Two additional plant breeders have been hired and are in residence at the Pee Dee REC.

Our initial work is focused on peanuts, soybeans, and sorghum variety development and improvement. Additional scientists will be employed after the laboratory renovation has been completed

Searches are underway to fill four new precision agriculture positions at the Edisto REC: a precision agriculture engineer, a soil nutrient scientist, a sensor engineer, and a precision agriculture Extension specialist. All four positions should be filled and in-residence by spring 2014.

Both positions have been filled: A Quality Manager and a Pathologist were hired to meet the recommendations of our accrediting body.

Let me start by telling you that we developed these requests in concert and collaboration with our constituents.

We have had discussions with our commodity boards as they consider research project requests, the SC Farm Bureau, the Palmetto Ag Business Council and others and it is clear that a new interest in agriculture is underway.

That interest means new people engaged in production, the business aspects of production and the technical and technological aspects of production.

Our requests this year are focused on Clemson’s role as a land-grant university, to meet those needs.

I’ll provide a few details on each of these requests.

We would use this funding for Clemson Extension specialists and agents to develop an agribusiness program to provide budget analyses, marketing strategies, and production technology information to start-up agribusinesses, emerging farmers, and established farmers.

This program will apply to row crops, forestry, livestock, commercial horticulture, and food processing.

The program will be developed in collaboration with Clemson’s agribusiness degree program in the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences; and 4-H and FFA programs to nurture the next generation of industry leaders.

We would use these funds to hire research and Extension scientists to adapt Clemson’s Intelligent River® technology for Intelligent Farm® and Intelligent Forest® programs to maximize productivity and minimize environmental impact by applying fertilizer, pesticide, and irrigation water only in the locations and amounts needed.

The researchers and extension agents will be located across the state to assist farmers and foresters in implementing these technologies.

Precision agriculture research and highly sophisticated sensor-based technology requires advanced and modern equipment to develop new technologies and improve the competitiveness of agricultural production.

The need for modern equipment is statewide at the Pee Dee REC in Florence, Edisto REC in Blackville, Baruch Institute in Georgetown, Coastal REC in Charleston, and on Clemson’s campus farms. Funds are also needed to update equipment at Livestock-Poultry Health in Columbia to continue safe and efficient operation of the state’s only veterinary diagnostic laboratory for livestock.

Finally, we request your support of a bill to codify an increase in the S.C. Fertilizer Law so that Clemson can continue to provide analytical services to the state’s farmers.

Let me end my remarks by again thanking you for your support and giving you our pledge to focus the State’s investment in Clemson PSA to enhance and expand the agriculture and natural resources sectors of the South Carolina economy through rigorous scientific research, science-based outreach and science-based regulatory services.

Remarks by Dr. James P. Clements, President, Clemson University

2014 E&G Budget Presentation

SC House Ways & Means Committee – January 14, 2014

*********

Chairman Limehouse, Representative Skelton, Representative Smith, Representative Bales and Mrs. Littlefield:  Good afternoon.

Thank you for the opportunity to be here today representing the faculty, staff and students of Clemson University.

I would like to start by recognizing the members of the Board of Trustees and the Board of Visitors who are here today — Board Chairman David Wilkins, Trustee Joe Swann, Trustee Nicky McCarter, Trustee Patty McAbee, and Board of Visitor member Hank Owen.

You’ll have to bear with me since I have only been on the job for two weeks!  However, I have been studying Clemson for a very long time. In fact, I frequently used Clemson as a model at other institutions where I’ve served. So I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to be here  – and — I look forward to getting to know each of you.

To begin, I would like to tell you just a little bit about myself. I was a first-generation college student, the youngest of 4 siblings.

I grew up in a very modest home and we didn’t have a lot when I was growing up.  But I was taught at a very early age that education is the path to a better life. Between me and my 3 older siblings, we now have 11 college degrees.

So, to me, this job is about providing opportunities for others, just as I was given an opportunity to further my education.

Dr. Skelton — like you, I am a faculty member at heart. I love to teach, I love to do research and I love involving undergraduate students in my research. My background is in computer science, information technology, and project management.

I’m a data guy and I believe in accountability. I believe that it is important to set goals and to achieve them.

I’d now like to continue a tradition of Jim Barker’s, and to introduce our under-graduate Student Government President, Ms. Kayley Seawright.

Kayley is a mechanical engineering major from Anderson, South Carolina and, believe me, Clemson students could not have a more energetic, more positive or more effective advocate.

I have seen Kayley in action and she is a star.  I’d like to invite her to say a few words on behalf of the students at the university.

[ NOTE: Seawright’s remarks are can be found at the bottom of this post. ]

Thank you, Kayley.  I am very thankful for your service to Clemson University.  If you represent the future, we are in great shape.

II.   State of Clemson University

I would like to continue with a few brief comments on the State of Clemson University.

I can tell you that Clemson is very strong.  We have achieved our highest national ranking ever – #21 among all national public universities, according to U.S. News and World Report. That guidebook also shows that, among public universities, we rank # 19 in the quality of students and # 4 in alumni support.

US News also ranks the nation’s most efficient universities. This is a calculation that weighs academic quality against financial resources. In other words, which schools do the most with their resources? Clemson ranks #7 in the country on that list.  And again, this is a calculation that includes both cost and quality.

In December, we were named to Kiplinger’s list of best values in public higher education. And, we were also ranked #7 in the country by the Wall Street Journal for return on investment for tuition paid.

Quality, value, efficiency and return on investment – that is a very powerful combination.

As we begin 2014, it is appropriate to look back and recognize how much has already been accomplished this academic year:

• We dedicated world-class facilities for energy systems research and testing at the Clemson University Restoration Institute in North Charleston.  And, Mr. Limehouse, I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be present for that important event.
• We also opened a permanent home for our business programs in downtown Greenville. This will help us meet the growing demand for graduate and professional education in the Upstate.
• And we’ve crossed the $700 million dollar mark in the Will to Lead capital campaign, which is providing more scholarships, faculty support and resources for programs and facilities.

So I think it is fair to say that Clemson has enormous positive momentum and we need to keep moving forward.

I have the privilege of serving in several national leadership positions with the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, along with the American Council on Education.

In those roles, I have the opportunity to interact with many university and government leaders from other states. I can tell you, without hesitation or hype, that Clemson is highly regarded nationally. Clemson is well-known for our strategic planning and for our commitment to quality and accountability.

The State of South Carolina also has a strong national reputation for game-changing legislative initiatives in support of higher education, including: …

• the LIFE and Palmetto scholarship programs
• endowed chairs, and
• the Research Infrastructure Act.

These programs have played a key role in Clemson’s success.

III.    State Funding Priorities

Before I share our state funding requests for next year, let me start by thanking you for the resources you provided this year.

We deeply appreciate your commitment of:

• $3 million in recurring funds for faculty and operations at the Center for Energy Systems at CURI
• $1 million in non-recurring funds for student engagement programs – specifically on-campus internships, and
• funds for deferred maintenance.

This support will have a long-term, positive impact.

Our top priority for the coming year is to continue to implement our strategic plan – the 2020 Road Map. For the past few years, our legislative requests have supported the goals of that plan.

First, we request $3 million to support a Center for Manufacturing Innovation at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research in Greenville.

This multi-disciplinary center will bring together faculty, industry, government scientists and undergraduate and graduate students — to meet two goals:

• One — to develop and enhance technologies in advanced manufacturing and
• Two — to provide the workforce needed for this vital economic sector.

Manufacturing is essential to the economic health of South Carolina — and — the nation as a whole. We need to sustain and grow our strong manufacturing sector through research, education and collaboration.

Second, we request $1 million in recurring funds to expand our nationally recognized Internal Internship program. 

This initiative helps students develop the skills that will make them more successful and marketable after graduation. Because of the $1 million dollars in one-time funds we received this year, we exceeded our participation goal by 26 percent.

We ask for recurring resources to sustain and enhance the program – because it is working! 100% of participants say the experience helped them learn essential job skills — such as critical thinking, organization and ethical judgment. And a recent survey of graduating seniors showed that students who held internships were 13% more likely to have a job at graduation.

Third, we request $1.5 million dollars for Focus on Student Success — a program aimed at increasing 4 year graduation rates.

Mr. Smith, I know this is a topic that is important to you.  I think you will notice in the information that you requested that Clemson is ranked 1st in the State in both 4 and 6 year graduation rates.  But we can certainly improve.

These funds will support advising, mentoring, additional support services for first generation college students, more course offerings, and better utilization of the summer semester.

Shortening the path to graduation will save money for families while still giving students time to participate in internships, study abroad and other programs that help prepare them for the workforce.

We also have 2 capital requests for one-time funds:

• First — $25 million dollars for a new building for the College of Business and Behavioral Science – which accounts for many of our most in-demand academic programs.  This request is for partial funding for a new facility that will replace a 75-year-old building – at a lower cost and with less disruption than a renovation.
• Second – we request $15 million to replace the most vulnerable sections of our aging electrical distribution system. The utility system was built in the late 1950’s through the mid-1960’s and is well beyond its expected lifespan.

As we have done in the past couple of years — any dollars received for deferred maintenance will go to addressing critical infrastructure needs.

IV. Additional Collaborative Funding Requests

While the Endowed Chairs program has not received new funding recently, I ask that this Subcommittee give consideration to the importance of this program to the future of the research universities in the State. Having recently been on the outside looking in, I can tell you this legislation is some of the most forward thinking legislation in the country.

I also want to support the Commission on Higher Education’s request for funds related to affordability initiatives.  As you have heard, affordability is at the forefront of issues that we must address.

I want to endorse the concept of funding institutions based on accountability metrics. We must work together to determine a stable funding source for higher education that rewards institutions for results, such as:

• results in graduation rates –
• in job placement for our students, and
• in support of economic development in our State.

IV.   Closing

Let me end by saying that the state of Clemson University is sound and the future is bright.  Please know how excited and honored I am to be Clemson’s 15^th President.

I look forward to working with you and with my colleagues in higher education to provide even more opportunities for our young people and for our State.

Thank you for your attention and your service to South Carolina. I will now be happy to answer questions.

***********

[ REMARKS by Kayley Seawright, President, Clemson University Undergraduate Student Government ]

Good afternoon! My name is Kayley Seawright. I am a senior Mechanical Engineering major Anderson, South Carolina. I have had the honor and privilege of serving this year as Clemson’s Undergraduate Student Body President. Thank you for allowing me the time to share my thoughts, and the thoughts of my peers, on higher education in South Carolina.

First and foremost, thank you for the many state-sponsored scholarships that are provided. I am a Palmetto Fellows recipient and it has allowed me to receive a quality education at Clemson University and is a large reason why I am standing before you today. Six years ago when I began exploring my options for college, I thought I wanted to go out of state. At first, my top choice was Duke University, but I decided to stay in-state because of the value that Clemson offered me as an in-state student. Growing up in an area where not many students had the opportunity to go to college, I witnessed the hope that these scholarships provided to students who deserved the chance to continue their education and later work in the state of South Carolina. I do encourage you and challenge you to consider the rising cost of higher education as you plan for funding options in the future.

Clemson is unique in the opportunities the University strives to provide outside of the classroom because employers value those experiences that cannot be found only in lectures. Clemson has been innovative by creating these unique experiences outside the classroom with programs such as Creative Inquiry, co-ops, internships, and experiences working with our Social Media Listening Center, Mock Hospital, and Mock Stock Exchange Room. The majority of our students do some sort of internship or co-op for a company off campus. Because of Clemson’s somewhat isolated location, many students have to drive long distances for these job opportunities or rent apartments at the location. I know people who have driven up to an hour and half each way to work for a semester. That’s why you will see that we are trying to expand our on-campus internship and co-op programs. This would create more opportunities for those students who might be limited by having to drive to another city. Thank you the Subcommittee and the overall House for approving $1million for the Student Opportunity Program that is funding these internal internship programs. Based on the Governor’s Executive Budget recommendation released yesterday, these monies would be provided on recurring funding basis. I hear of numerous students every semester who are looking for jobs on-campus and this is the perfect opportunity to provide for those students and many others!

I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to participate in research, a creative inquiry, and also several on-campus jobs. They have been experiences I’ve treasured because after graduation, it’s not likely that I will be able to have these opportunities again. I worked with a creative inquiry group to model and simulate actual buildings on campus and test their energy efficiencies. The following semester, we expanded upon the creative inquiry and researched general changes that could be made for larger buildings to improve the energy efficiency. We applied concepts of heat transfer, thermodynamics, mechanics of materials, and structural statics to determine improvements. What made the project so fascinating and distinctive was the fact that it was testing actual buildings on campus that I sit in almost every day! Now that I am in my senior design class, my group is partnered with a company, Parker Hannifin, to design an automatic solution to a tube filler problem they are having. These are experiences that will likely help me get a job in just a few months!

The past three and a half years as an undergraduate at Clemson have been the most rewarding years of my life! We continue to rise as a top-ranked nationally recognized university thanks to the leadership both on campus and within the state. Clemson provides exceptional student life and educational experiences for its students thanks to the wonderful community of faculty, staff, administrators and alumni who work and strive to create real value for students, the community, and for the State of South Carolina. All of these individuals would never have the opportunity to do so without the facilities and infrastructure to support them. We are working to provide both gratifying programs and state-of-the-art facilities. Clemson’s commitment to operating efficiently and “building to compete” whether that be in research facilities or improvements to on-campus housing, is a significant part of the undergraduate experience. Clemson University’s 2020 Plan provides a roadmap for the future priorities for the University.  Each element of the plan are important to students.  I do want to highlight specifically how important the “build to compete” component is to Clemson’s competitiveness for students in the future.  This part of the plan recognizes the need for Clemson University to invest significant resources in facilities that allow Clemson to stay on the cutting edge in research and upgrade housing opportunities for our students. My peers and I are so grateful for all this body has provided to Clemson for over one hundred years now. It’s my hope that this body continues to provide Clemson with everything it needs to continue to develop and create exceptional value for everyone.

In conclusion, I would like to deliver a message from our students to you all. Thank you for listening to us, and thank you for making higher education a priority in South Carolina. Your investment in us is pivotal to the future of both our great state and our nation.

 

 

REMARKS by Clemson President James P. Clements 

Discover Orange Bowl Clemson Presidential Brunch [Video]

Fontainebleau Hotel  •  Miami Beach, Florida

Chairman [David] Wilkins – thank you for that very kind introduction.

Good morning and thank you all for being here today.  We are grateful to members of the Orange Bowl Committee for all you did to make this such a special experience for all of us.

Thank you to all of the Clemson board members, alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends who are here in Miami to support the team!  I know the coaches and our student-athletes really appreciate it, and so do I.

I want to give a very special thank you to Jim and Marcia Barker for all that they did for this great university over many, many years.  Under President Barker’s leadership – the university:

• Graduated nearly 60,000 students
• Raised more than $870 Million in private funds
• Earned more than $900 Million in research grants, and
• Achieved a Top 25 national ranking

These goals could not have been achieved without his incredible leadership, and I know President Barker would tell you that Marcia was a key part of that success.

I would also like to recognize two Clemson students who are with us this week as social media reporters:

• De Anne Anthony – who is a senior from Beaufort, South Carolina, majoring in graphic communications , and
• Savannah Mozingo — a junior from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, majoring in language and international trade.

They traveled on the student bus to Miami and have been blogging … tweeting … and sharing Instagram photos with their classmates who weren’t able to be here in person.  Thank you, Dee and Savannah!

Finally, I’d like to introduce the members of my family who are here this morning.

Clemson’s First Lady — my wife Beth.  Also, our son Ty, our daughter Hannah, and our daughter Grace.   Our other daughter Maggie is actually snowboarding this week.  As you can imagine this is a really tough first assignment for us here in sunny Miami!  I want you all to know that we are so honored to be members of the Clemson Family.

About Jim Clements

Let me start this morning by telling you a little about myself.  I am the youngest of 4 children, and I was a 1^st generation college student.

Although my parents didn’t go to college, when I was growing up they stressed the value of education.  Between me and my 3 siblings we have 11 college degrees – 4 undergraduate  degrees, 5 masters, and 2 PhDs.  My parents taught us that education is the key to a better life – not just for an individual, but for society as a whole.

I am a faculty member at heart.  I love to teach, I love to do research, and I loved involving students in my research.  I am a computer scientist, a mathematician, and a project manager by training.

However, one of my most important credentials now is:  I am a Clemson Dad!  Our daughter Hannah will start classes next week at Clemson as a transfer student, and she is very excited about that.

I believe Hannah chose Clemson for the same reason other students do — because we provide an opportunity to get a great, high quality education while also having a great campus experience.

Clemson truly is the total package.  Our retention rates and our graduation rates are among the best in the nation for public universities.  The national 6-year graduation rate is 59% percent – ours is 82%.

We are ranked #7 by the Wall Street Journal for the return on your investment, and Princeton Review ranked us #7 in the country for students who love their school.

No wonder we have a 10 percent increase in applications this year!  And I think the excitement around our football team has helped to increase our number of applications!

Out of the big 5 conferences – only 6 other schools in the country have won 10 or more games in each of the past 3 years.

In the past 5 years only one school – only one — had College Game Day twice in the same season.  Guess who.

ESPN ranked all 35 of this year’s bowl games in order of which ones would be the most exciting to watch.   Our game was ranked #2, just behind the national championship game.

It helps that our team has a top-notch leader like Tajh Boyd – who broke just about every record you can imagine — and a head Coach like Dabo Swinney, right?  I want you to know that I did go to practice on Wednesday and the team looked great!  They will be ready tonight!

And, by the way, our football team does really well in the classroom, too.   In the BCS Academic rankings for this season, we ranked #6 in the country.  That’s ahead of great schools like Texas A&M, Wisconsin, and Ohio State.

I mentioned a few minutes ago that the national average graduation rate is 59%.  Well, our football players Graduation Success Rate is 77%.  So our student-athletes are great on the field and in the classroom.  And I can tell you that we also have a top-notch Athletic Director who cares about all of our student-athletes!

Why Clemson?

There are a lot of reasons why Beth and I wanted to join the Clemson family.

We all know how special Clemson is, right?  The Clemson Family is real and it is very powerful.  People want to be part of this university.

Here’s an interesting fact.  If you research the Clemson family crest, you will find that the name Clements is a derivation of the name Clemson, and believed to have come from the same origin!

According to Clemson University historian Jerry Reel, there is a possible connection between the Clemson’s from Birmingham, England and a branch of the Clements family.  Although we haven’t yet found a direct line with my family, we are still looking!

Honestly — I saw this as an amazing opportunity because Clemson has such a great national reputation, such great tradition, and so much positive momentum.

We’ve achieved our highest national ranking ever — #21 among all national public universities — according to U.S. News and World Report.  For all public universities, U.S. News also has us ranked #19 for the quality of our students, and #4 in alumni support.

We were recently named to Kiplinger’s list of the best value universities, and we were the top-ranked school in South Carolina.  Clemson ranks high for quality and value.

As a member of the Executive Board and Chair-elect of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities — and in my work as the Chair of the Commission on Leadership with the American Council on Education — I work with a lot of university presidents, chancellors, and other academic leaders.

I can tell you Clemson is highly regarded nationally. We are well-known — and well-respected for —

• our strategic planning,
• our research, and
• our commitment to providing a top-notch, high quality education.

I think Thomas Green Clemson would be very pleased!  Our impact is felt far beyond the state borders, though. In fact, we have a growing footprint right here in the Sunshine State.  We have:

• more than 3,000 alumni living within 250 miles of Miami,
• more than 60 current students who are from South Florida area, and
• about 200 freshman applications from this area for Fall 2014.

Clemson’s National Impact

Clemson faculty and students are addressing many of the great challenges facing not just the state of South Carolina, but also the State of Florida and the nation as well.

For example:

• Our faculty are working to improve the reliability and performance of artificial implants – from hips to knees to heart valves.
• Our Department of Automotive Engineering is helping older adults drive safely and independently.
• We just dedicated a new energy systems research center that represents more than $100 million in federal, state, industry and private investments.
• And, our researchers are working with Georgia Tech to develop a new approach for protecting coastal areas against flooding – which could save lives!

These are just a few examples of the ways we are having a major impact on South Carolina, in South Florida, and throughout the nation.

What’s next?

So what is next for our university?

First — we must maintain our momentum.

• We are on a very positive path.
• We have a solid strategic plan.  And,
• We need to keep pushing.

Second — my immediate goal is to listen and learn.  I want to hear about your goals and your vision for the future.

Third — we need to find ways to build on our core strengths.

One of those strengths is our culture of collaboration.   Our faculty members have an unusual ability and willingness to work with industry, with other universities, and across disciplines.

Our Extension plant pathologists are working with the Florida Atlantic Growers to create new models for sustainable agriculture.  We’re participating in a regional project based at the University of Florida to prevent diseases that attack strawberries.  And we are collaborating with Ohio State to improve literacy through a program for 1^st graders called Reading Recovery.

Let me close by saying that there will be a lot of celebrations in 2014.

We will observe the 125^th anniversary of Clemson’s founding, and the 100^th anniversary of the Smith-Lever Act that created the national Cooperative Extension network.  That legislation, by the way, was co-authored by a Congressman from South Carolina who was also Clemson Trustee — Frank Lever.

So from the very beginning, Clemson University has been a leader

• in educational innovation,
• in research that drives economic growth, and
• in outreach to the communities we serve

We are strong, solid, and on the move!  And our future looks great!

Thank you all for being here — and Go Tigers!