Clemson Board appoints Bob Jones as interim president, announces presidential search committee

Clemson’s Board of Trustees met on Wednesday, December 10 to approve the appointment of an interim president, establish the presidential search committee and the hiring of a national search firm.

As the Board formalized next steps in the process to identify Clemson’s 16th president, Board Chair Kim Wilkerson also recognized and celebrated the retirement of President Jim Clements following 12 years of exemplary service.

“Though we will miss Jim’s leadership dearly, Clemson stands in one of its strongest positions ever,” said Chair Wilkerson. “His legacy will serve as a foundation for the next chapter in our story — a chapter we will write together with confidence and optimism.”

Clements addressed the Board and shared his appreciation for their support and the support of the entire Clemson community during his tenure. He also reiterated his plans to remain in the Clemson area and return to a faculty position at the University following a sabbatical.

“Serving as president of Clemson University has truly been one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Clements. “Over these 12 years, we have accomplished so much together, and I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved as a Clemson Family united by purpose and passion. I find it symbolic that my journey began here on December 31, 2013, and will conclude on the same day, exactly 12 years later. Numbers tell a story, and this one speaks of an incredible chapter filled with progress, resilience and the pursuit of excellence.”

The Board approved three action items during the meeting. First, they approved the appointment of Robert H. (Bob) Jones as interim president effective January 1. Currently serving as Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Jones has agreed to serve as Interim President during the transition.

The Board also established a presidential search committee and subsequently authorized the committee to begin the process of hiring a search firm to assist in the process.

The Board has committed to communicate with Clemson students, faculty, staff, alumni and the public throughout the process, and has set a goal of having a new leader in place by Fall 2026.

ABOUT ROBERT H. (BOB) JONES

Bob Jones became the University’s first Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost in September 2014. During his 10 years leading Academic Affairs, Clemson’s academic reputation continued its meteoric rise. The University grew in nearly every academic success metric including enrollment, average SAT and ACT scores, retention rates, graduation rates, research funding and expenditures and more. Provost Jones saw the reorganization of colleges, the creation of new colleges and programs and the establishment of South Carolina’s only College of Veterinary Medicine.  

A two-time Clemson graduate, Jones earned a Bachelor of Science in forest management in 1979 and a Master of Science in forestry in 1981. He completed his doctorate in forest ecology from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse University in 1986. Before returning to Clemson, Jones served as dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University and as department head and professor of biological sciences at Virginia Tech.