Clemson University board selects two life trustees

CLEMSON, SC – February 10, 2010 – William C. “Bill” Smith Jr. of Columbia and Kim A. Wilkerson of Cayce have been selected to serve as life members of Clemson University board of trustees. The two new members will assume seats being vacated when current trustees Leslie G. “Les” McCraw of Greenville and Dr. J.J. Britton of Sumter step down.

“Les McCraw and J.J. Britton have given countless hours of outstanding service to Clemson University,” said David Wilkins, chairman of the board. “Clemson is a better university because of their dedication and commitment. Our challenge was to identify successors who are as intelligent, accomplished and passionate about higher education in Clemson University as they are. That perfectly describes Bill Smith and Kim Wilkerson.”

Smith, who has served as an elected trustee since 1996 and now is vice chairman, is chief executive officer of Red Rock Developments. Smith graduated from Clemson — where he played on the national championship football team — in 1982, with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. He has more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate development and is active in business and civic organizations as a member of the South Carolina Economic Developers Association and the Carolinas Partnership, and as a past member of the board of directors of EdVenture Children’s Museum and the Columbia Urban League. His term as life trustee begins Feb. 15.

Wilkerson, who graduated from Clemson in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in financial management, was named president of Bank of America South Carolina in 2005, becoming the bank’s first woman president in the state. She has a long history of service to Clemson, including as a member of the Board of Visitors and a current appointment on the Clemson University Foundation’s board of directors. She is a member of the Palmetto Business Forum, the ETV Endowment of South Carolina board, the South Carolina Housing Commission and the Leadership South Carolina board. Her term as life trustee will begin July 11, 2011, but Wilkins said making the appointment now will allow for more effective succession planning.

“She can begin her orientation immediately by attending meetings and immersing herself in the workings of the university,” he said.

Clemson is governed by a 13-member board, including six trustees elected by the state legislature and seven life members, as provided by the will of Thomas G. Clemson, whose bequest to the state led to the institution’s founding.