Class of ’63 gift supports Bridge program
The Class of 1963 celebrated its golden anniversary by presenting a $744,000 gift of its $1 million commitment to the University for its Bridge to Clemson program. [pullquote align=’right’ font=’chunk’ color=’#562E19′]In honor of the gift, the program will be named the Class of 1963 Bridge to Clemson University.[/pullquote]
The Bridge program is a distinctive academic-transfer program available by invitation only. Beginning with a strong first-year academic experience at Tri-County Technical College, it incorporates dedicated academic advising, student support services and a student life component — all of which are designed to help students succeed academically and transfer to Clemson.
The class also presented a check for $6.6 million, representing the total amount class members have given since graduation.
Sigma Alpha Zeta fraternity provides library presentation room
In August 2012, members of Sigma Alpha Zeta (1959-1970), Clemson ’s first documented social fraternity, gathered for the dedication of the SAZ Room in Cooper Library, which provides state-of-the-art media technology for students to use in planning, preparing and practicing class presentations and assignments. Led by Library Ambassador Lewis Horton ’66, Winston Fowler ’62 and George “Turk” Matthews ’69, the group donated more than $57,000. Sigma Alpha Zeta became affiliated with the national fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha in 1970.
N.C. resident leaves $1.2 million to Clemson
Clemson has received a be quest of more than $1.2 million from the estate of the late Caroline Barton Caughman, formerly of Pinehurst, N.C. The gift will be used to establish a university scholarship endowment and to benefit the library.
[pullquote align=’right’ font=’chunk’ color=’#562E19′]“Planned gifts like this bequest are the reason why Clemson exists today,”[/pullquote] said President Jim Barker. “Like our founders, Thomas Green and Anna Calhoun Clemson, the Caughmans must have placed a high value on education, and we appreciate them for having the forethought to plan this bequest.”
Caroline was the widow of Clemson alumnus Kenneth Gladstone Caughman, who earned his mechanical engineering degree in 1948. Born in Hartwell, Ga., she grew up in Anderson and worked for Southern Bell Telephone Co. before their marriage in 1947. The two were married 51 years.
The Caughmans were avid supporters of Clemson athletics and IPTAY members for more than 30 years. “Ken was a true Tiger fan. He was fanatical about Clemson, and that rubbed off on my sister,” said Don Barton, Caroline’s brother. “Caroline became very devoted to Clemson, just as Ken was.”
Anonymous donor gives $1M to establish scholarship and professorship
An anonymous donor has given more than $1 million to honor Samuel Lewis Bell ’25, longtime president of Chester Telephone Co., and his wife, Lucia Beason Bell.
The gift will fund the Samuel Lewis Bell and Lucia Beason Bell Memorial Scholarship Endowment, which will provide scholarships to undergraduates from the Chester area, and to create the Samuel Lewis Bell Distinguished Professorship, which will support an endowed professorship in the Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, part of the College of Engineering and Science.
The professorship will focus specifically on optoelectronics, the study of the interaction of light with electronic devices using photons and electrons, and will work with COMSET, the Center for Optical Materials Science and Engineering Technologies.
Individuals Helping Individuals
For David Lowery ’84 of Anderson , Clemson has always been a large campus with a small feel. He recalls traveling from his home state of Alabama with his dad for a campus visit the summer before his freshman year, when a professor took him aside to help him choose a major (chemical engineering).
“The people are my greatest memory,” David said. “The interest the professors had in us gave it the small feel. At Clemson, an individual can always find a way to help an individual.”
That sentiment led him to sit down with Brian O’Rourke, executive director of development and alumni relations, over a burger at the Esso Club. [pullquote align=’left’ font=’chunk’ color=’#562E19′]David realized two things: You can never pass up an Esso burger, and an unrestricted endowment would be the best way to honor his philosophy of individuals helping individuals.[/pullquote]
The Lowerys established the Mr. and Mrs. David D. Lowery Family Scholarship Endowment — a university-wide fund to award scholarships to deserving students as needs arise. And because they wanted their contribution to have an immediate impact on students, they chose to supplement the endowment with an annual gift to provide scholarships every year as the endowment matures.
“We wanted to do something that would help those who otherwise may not be able to come to Clemson,” David said.
Being a Tiger runs in the family. David’s father, Ken Lowery, attended Clemson, and their two children, Whitney and Alex, are current students. His wife, Cindy, attended North Georgia College, but has adopted Clemson as her own.
Individual endowments, like the one established by the Lowerys, provide permanent financial stability for Clemson’s future. With state support at a record-low 11 percent, a strong endowment is absolutely vital for the financial health of the University.
To learn more about establishing an endowment in your name or in honor or memory of a loved one, visit clemson.edu/giving, call 864-656-5896 or email cufund-L@clemson.edu.
