Clemson University launches historic capital campaign to raise $1.889 billion

Clemson University embarks on its most ambitious capital campaign to date, Fiercely Forward: A Campaign for Clemson. With a goal of $1.889 billion, the Fiercely Forward capital campaign positions Clemson to remain steadfast in its commitment to student success, innovation and academic excellence.

The Fiercely Forward capital campaign is the driving force to achieve the bold initiatives of the University’s strategic plan, Clemson Elevate. Through this capital campaign, the University will secure scholarship support, maintain an unmatched student experience through unparalleled programs, attract and retain top academic, scientific and artistic minds through faculty support, enhance facilities on our campuses while nurturing and retaining our history and natural beauty, and continue building a strong endowment to provide for the future of the University.

“Fiercely Forward is more than a campaign for Clemson — it is a bold commitment for our future. It is a promise to honor our heritage, celebrate our values and elevate our mission of education, research and service. The Clemson Family is fiercely dedicated to Clemson University, and I know that together, we will continue to transform the lives of our Tigers for generations to come,” Jim Clements, University President.

The campaign has reached a major milestone toward its goal of $1.889 billion — securing $1.297 billion in the leadership phase of the campaign. With 102,661 donors having made 571,098 gifts toward the campaign thus far, Clemson also received the largest academic and athletic gifts in the history of the University. Billy and Ann Powers gave a transformational gift of $60 million — positioning the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business to become a nationally recognized program for educating global leaders. Jim and Candace Brown made an extraordinary commitment to IPTAY which supports several areas of Clemson’s Athletic program, including football and basketball.

The following families have responded to the bold charge in transformational ways — forever changing the lives of our students, faculty and staff.

• Dan and Nancy Garrison
• Michael and Robyn Nieri
• Micky and Amy Scott
• Brook and Pam Smith
• Mark and Kathryn Richardson
• Mark and Janet Mitchell
• David and Lynette Snow

The Clemson Cornerstone Program also has set the University on a powerful path to impact South Carolina, our nation and the world. Since the program’s inception in 2014, these visionaries have been supporting Clemson’s land-grant mission of learning, research and service through gifts of $2.5 million or more. To date, 26 Academic Cornerstone Partners and 28 Athletic Cornerstone Partners have collectively committed over $338 million which has brought new buildings to life, enhanced programs, recruited and retained top faculty and provided students access to education.

Fiercely Forward: A Campaign for Clemson has been led by the Committee on Philanthropy and the National Campaign Committee of over 100 dedicated volunteers representing all disciplines.

“The Fiercely Forward campaign marks an incredible milestone for Clemson University, where we will bring the entire Clemson Family together to create a future with endless possibilities. As a student at Clemson, I could never have fathomed all the doors this University would open for me. It is my honor to pay that forward, lead the charge as the chair of the Committee on Philanthropy and provide students of today and tomorrow with the same opportunities I was so fortunate to have as a Clemson Tiger,” CHERI PHYFER-KUBU, CLEMSON UNIVERSITY TRUSTEE AND CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE ON PHILANTHROPY,

The capital campaign goal of $1.889 billion serves as a reminder of and a tribute to our roots. Clemson was founded in 1889 through a bequest from Thomas Green Clemson. Thomas Green Clemson and Anna Calhoun Clemson left their estate to establish a university whose purpose would be to transform lives across the state of South Carolina and beyond. Now is the time to honor our founder’s dream and legacy as we move Clemson Fiercely Forward.

“Clemson University was founded on the vision of Thomas Green and Anna Calhoun Clemson for a ‘high seminary of learning,’ and we have remained committed to honoring that legacy throughout our history. Today, we embark on the next chapter for our University — one with elevated goals and a vision for unprecedented growth. We are calling on the Clemson Family to rise to the challenge and lead the way as we move Clemson Fiercely Forward,” BRIAN O’ROURKE, VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVANCEMENT.

We invite you to be a part of this journey as we take Clemson University forward into a future filled with tangible discoveries and limitless possibilities.

Join us in moving Clemson Fiercely Forward.