CLEMSON — With events and meetings held across three days, the Clemson University Board of Trustees created new programs, received updates on university research and facilities, and allocated money for new buildings at its winter 2023 meeting.
Clemson University moving ahead with veterinary school
The board of trustees approved the $750,000 feasibility study for creation of South Carolina’s first school of veterinary medicine.
Clemson received $10 million in state funding last year to explore the possibility of creating the college. Site selection, near the T. Ed Garrison Arena and Expo Center in Pendleton, was completed in October.
Additional funds of over $45 million have been requested to move forward with hiring a construction manager at risk, engineering and hiring founding staff members, according to steering committee co-chair Boyd Parr.
Retired state veterinarian Boyd Parr is co-chair of the steering committee to create South Carolina’s first veterinary school at Clemson University. The timeline he presented to the Board of Trustees in February 2023 indicates the first degree could be awarded in 2030. Caitlin Herrington/Staff
Parr, who retired as state veterinarian and university director of livestock poultry health in July 2021, told the trustees there is a veterinarian shortage predicted to reach 15,000 — leaving as many as 75,000 pets without care — by 2030.
With the timeline presented to the trustees at the February meeting, Clemson University’s first veterinary school graduate could receive their degree that same year.
Clemson University hires diversity VP
Felicia Benton-Johnson was approved as the university’s vice president for diversity and inclusive excellence. Benton-Johnson comes to Clemson from Georgia Tech, where she served as assistant dean and director of the Engineering Education and Diversity.
Degree programs added, amended to address demand
After much discussion from the committee, the trustees approved an online pilot summer school program to assist students with catching up and getting on track with their degrees.
With $200,000 of dedicated funding, the classes will not be dropped because of low enrollment, Provost Bob Jones said. It will allow students and faculty both to make solidified summer plans.
Trustees decreased the number of required hours from 56 to 35 for the Master’s of Real Estate Development degree and added programs for a Masters of Music Education and bachelor degree in data science.
Jervey renovation, athletic wellness addition coming
The board approved $750,000 to establish the project design budget for renovation of 14,000 square feet of Jervey Athletic Center and construction of a 50,000-square-foot “performance and wellness center.”
The addition would house 400 of Clemson’s 550 athletes, including all of its Olympic sports. Rather than renovating Jervey – a 51-year-old building – athletics director Graham Neff told the trustees the best investment was a new building that will be south of Jervey and that will house sports medicine and other athletic programming.
Phase 2 of the project could come before the board as early as July, Neff said.
Clemson Athletics partnering with Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Harrah’s
The university will enter into an athletic sponsorship agreement with the Eastern Cherokee Band of Indians, which operates Harrah’s Casino Resort in Cherokee, N.C.
The $169,000 investment creates a branded scholarship program in the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Science, and increases brand awareness and summer internships.
Harrah’s logos will appear at football, softball, baseball and men’s and women’s basketball games, though no Clemson logos will be associated with any gaming at the casino.
The partnership ends in 2025. Its future investment amounts are unclear.
University breaks ground on new $50M alumni, visitors center
With the sunset reflecting off Lake Hartwell, the university held a ground-breaking ceremony Feb. 1 at the Madren Center for its $50 million alumni and visitors center.
To be built with views of the 18th hole on Walker Golf Course near the Madren Conference Center, the 100,000-square-foot facility is scheduled to be completed next fall.
Rendering of the new alumni center at Clemson University. Clemson University/Provided
It will serve as the first impression for future Clemson students and their families, President Jim Clements said at the ceremony, and the goal is for it to immediately feel like home.
It will house the Clemson Alumni Association, Class of 1944 Visitors Center, Board of Trustees office, Advancement, Clemson University Foundation, admissions and the Michelin Career Center.
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