Month: September 2025

Good afternoon! In today’s newsletter, CCIT Research Computing and Data is hosting its inaugural High Performance Computing (HPC) Day, Michael Scott provides the latest insights from the Ombuds Office, Campus Recreation provides the latest on their well-being resources and more.

CCIT Research Computing and Data to host HPC Day on September 26

September News and Events from the SC Botanical Gardens

Celebrating All Abilities events begin next month

Ombuds Report: The secret to real impact? Tell a good story

Clemson MBA Executive Board Learning

Bringing Joy to Your Journey

It’s time for Celebrating All Abilities, formerly known as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM); this university-wide initiative serves to raise awareness of disability-related issues, honor the varied contributions of individuals with disabilities, and equip the campus community with knowledge and strategies to advance accessibility. Student Accessibility Services, The Division of Civil and Individual Rights, The Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation, The Office of University Compliance and Ethics, and Computing and Information Technology have all partnered to host several events in October.

Events for the initiative include an in-person keynote speaker and eleven virtual “Let’s Break to Educate” events. The keynote speaker for this year is Adam Gorlitsky, who founded the non-profit organization called “I Got Legs,” which works to reenable para-athletes to walk by expanding exoskeleton accessibility and supporting innovative paralysis research. Join us as he shares his story of resiliency and achievements while he debuts a new manual exoskeleton in his partnership with CU’s Biomedical Engineering Department. 

We will also be hosting virtual “Let’s Break to Educate” events that are open to the public that feature faculty and staff presentations on a multitude of disability awareness topics ranging from digital accessibility and comprehensive instructional practices to Deaf culture, neurodiversity, and effective approaches to accomodation. Visit the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) website for a full list of events and to register.

Fall Programs

Open Houses at the Hunt Cabin, Nature Learning Center, Hanover House and the Caboose! Join us for a variety of nature-based programming for families of all ages on our open-house weekends!

ANIMAL SIGNS IN NATURE Saturday, September 13, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Animals are all around us, but are not always visible. Tracks, scat and other signs can help us understand who is in our environment. 

NATURE’S CLEAN-UP CREW Saturday, October 25, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Without nature’s clean-up crew, we would be in big trouble! We’ll take a close-up look at fungi (decomposers), millipedes and woodlice (detritivores) and vultures (scavengers).

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT Saturday, November 15, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

When the sun goes down, some animals get up! In this open house, we’ll learn who is active under the cover of darkness and why. How are night creatures adapted to the dark? How can you support these fascinating animals in your backyard?

Fall Plant Sale

Mark your calendars for the SCBG Fall 2025 Plant Sale!

Support the SC Botanical Garden and enjoy a wide variety of plants, including annuals, vegetable transplants and herbs, bog plants, perennials, ferns, shrubs, grasses, trees and fruits and many hard-to-find native plants! SCBG staff will be glad to assist you with the selection of plants for your home landscape. Several of our partner organizations also set up booths at the sale to answer questions about gardening-related topics and activities.

Plant Sales are major fundraising events for the SCBG, and all profits support operations and enhancements in the garden. Friends of the Garden (members) are granted early access, one day before the public sale. Friends of the Garden membership applications will be available at the sales or avoid the line by joining online.

Friday, September 26: MEMBERS SALE
2:00PM-6:00PM
*Friends of the Garden membership required

Saturday, September 27: PUBLIC SALE
9:00AM-1:00PM
*No membership required

*Gates close 30 minutes before the end of the sale.
SCBG Plant List Fall 2025

At Clemson University, we’re all about innovation, teamwork, and making a real impact. Whether you’re in a big meeting or just grabbing a coffee, you’re constantly trying to get your point across and inspire others. But let’s be honest, a dry presentation of facts and figures doesn’t always cut it. So, what’s the secret sauce for making your ideas stick? Storytelling!

It might sound old-school, but telling a good story is a superpower in today’s world. It’s not just for campfires and bedtime; it’s a critical skill for any staff member looking to lead, influence, and connect with colleagues (Simmons, 2001).

Your Brain on Stories : It’s All in the Connection

Ever notice how you can zone out during a lecture but hang on every word of a great movie? That’s not just you—it’s your brain! As author Lisa Cron (2012) explains, our minds are naturally wired to crave narratives. When someone tells a story, their brain and your brain actually sync up in a process called neural coupling (Hasson et al., 2010). It’s like a mental high-five that makes you feel connected and helps you understand and remember the message.

Stories tap into the parts of our brain that handle emotions and memory. That’s why a story about a challenge a team overcame is way more memorable than a list of project milestones. It’s not just about what happened, but how it felt. That emotional connection is what truly makes a message stick.

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Why Stories Make You a Better Leader (and Teammate)

Think about the best leaders you know. They don’t just give orders; they inspire. They build a culture where everyone feels like they’re part of a bigger mission. As Paul Smith (2005) notes in his work on business narratives, leaders use stories to articulate their vision and build rapport.

A good story can help you:

• Build Trust: Sharing a personal, authentic story—even one about a failure—shows vulnerability and builds rapport. When your colleagues see you as a human, not just a job title, they’re more likely to trust you.
• Clarify Your Vision: It’s tough to get people excited about a new process or project. But frame it as a story where your team is the hero on a quest, and you’re the guide helping them achieve something great (Miller, 2017). Suddenly, it’s not a chore—it’s an adventure.
• Drive Change: Want to get everyone on board with a new idea? Don’t just present the plan. Tell a story about why the change is necessary, what the future will look like, and how they’ll all be part of the solution.

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Your Guide to Becoming a Storytelling Pro

Ready to level up your influence? Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to crafting a powerful story that will grab attention and get results (Dicks, 2018; Biesenbach, 2009):

Step 1: Know Your “Why”

Before you start, ask yourself: What’s the point of this story? What do I want people to do or feel after they hear it? Whether you want to get a project approved or motivate your team, your goal is your compass.

Step 2: Find Your Core Message

Boil your idea down to a single, memorable message. Is it about the power of collaboration? The importance of innovation? This is the theme of your story.

Step 3: Build the Adventure

Every great story has a beginning, a middle with a challenge, and an end where the hero overcomes it. Don’t be afraid to include a little conflict! The struggle is what makes the resolution so rewarding.

Step 4: Make Characters Relatable

Whether you’re the main character or a colleague is, make them relatable. Audiences need to connect with the characters to care about what happens.

Step 5: Sprinkle in Emotion

Use vivid details to make your story come alive. Instead of saying, “The project was difficult,” describe the late nights, the frustrating roadblocks, and the moment of breakthrough. Make people feel what you felt.

Step 6: Stick the Landing

End your story with a powerful resolution that ties back to your goal. Make it clear what the takeaway is and what you want them to do next.

Step 7: Practice!

Practice makes perfect. Rehearse your story out loud and pay attention to your tone, body language, and pacing. The more you tell it, the more natural it will feel.

So, the next time you have an idea to share, think like a storyteller. You’ll be amazed at how a simple narrative can transform your message and help you inspire real change at Clemson.

Clemson’s Research Computing and Data (RCD) group is pleased to announce an inaugural High Performance Computing (HPC) Day event to showcase HPC research and education on Friday, September 26, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Watt Family Innovation Center. This event is a fantastic opportunity to network with other HPC researchers, learn new skills and information and to elevate cutting-edge research. Registration for the event is now open for Clemson staff, employees and students (graduate and undergraduate) and the event is free to attend.

Learn more and register: http://go.tig.rs/hpc-day-25

Some of the highlights of the day will include:

• Keynote Speakers
  • Dan Stanzione, Executive Director, TACC
  • Franck Cappello, Senior Scientist, Argonne National Laboratory
  • Nathan DeBardeleben, Senior Research Scientist, Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Timo Heister, Professor of Mathematics, Clemson
  • Amy Apon, Professor of Computer Science, Clemson 
• Three Simultaneous HPC Sessions (choose one during registration):
  • Getting Started with Palmetto (hands-on HPC onboarding)
  • HPC in Education (teaching-focused roundtable)
  • Careers in HPC (industry/academic panel + Q&A)
• Student Poster Competition
• Networking opportunities with researchers, support staff, and industry contacts
• Free food and giveaways for all registered attendees

Enrollment for the Clemson MBA Executive Board Learning Series is now open! The Clemson MBA Executive Board Learning Series is a professional development series designed to offer focused, accessible education on topics shaping the future of business. Each session will be offered in-person and virtually and will be held every Monday from 4 pm to 6 pm, beginning on October 6th and running through October 27th.

Learn more about the content & Professor Steve Layton here!

Sign up here!

Half-Day Wellness Retreats for Well-Being & Connection

Take a break from your routine and join us for a half-day retreat designed to help you strengthen your personal well-being and cultivate happiness—two essential components of a fulfilling life.

The retreat begins with a two-hour interactive classroom session where you’ll explore the 8 Dimensions of Well-Being: emotional, physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, environmental, occupational, and financial. Through engaging discussions and practical strategies, you’ll learn how to enhance wellness in personal, group, and professional settings.

Additionally, participants can choose two from a variety of group activities that promote relaxation, connection, and joy to follow the classroom session. Here are a few examples:

• 🌅 Sunrise or Sunset Yoga: Gentle movement and breathwork to center your mind and body.
• 🌊 Well-Being on the Water: Paddleboard or kayak sessions that combine nature, mindfulness, and fun.
• 🔥 Bonfire & S’mores: Wind down with colleagues around a cozy fire, sharing stories and sweet treats.

Go to our website to see the entire list. These activities are designed to help you reconnect—with yourself, your team, and the natural world around you.

Explore the Wellness Zone at Fike

In addition, we invite you to discover the Wellness Zone—a separate, reservable space available to students, staff, and faculty. This restorative, holistic virtual fitness area features an interactive touch screen TV with on-demand content including:

• Yoga
• Stretching
• Mindfulness
• Breathwork
• Meditation

The Wellness Zone can be reserved in 30-minute increments and is perfect for anyone looking to recharge, refocus, or simply take a mindful break during the day.

If you’d like a more structured experience, you can join us every week on Mondays (4:30-5:30pm) and Tuesdays (2pm-3pm)for a brief 30-minute to 1 hour Guided Meditation, Mindfulness, or Yoga class.

*** Whether you’re attending the retreat or exploring the Wellness Zone on your own time, both experiences are designed to support your journey toward greater well-being and happiness. Get more information or reserve a spot at https://www.clemson.edu/studentaffairs/get-involved/cr/fitness/well-being.html