The years that R.C Edwards served as Clemson’s eighth president, from 1958-1979, were a period of enormous cultural and physical transformation for the University. That era shaped Clemson into a diverse, co-educational institution poised for the future.
Much of what made that growth possible was the incredible building program undertaken during Edwards’ presidency. At least 58 new buildings and additions were completed — 26 of them between 1965 and 1970.
Today, under the leadership of President James Clements, the University is again poised for a great transformation. One of the most visible signs of this is the construction that again envelopes the campus as Clemson embarks on the largest building program in its history. Just as the R.C. Edwards era prepared Clemson to become a nationally respected institution, the current campus transformation, which has been dubbed “Building Futures,” sets the stage for the next 50 years, ensuring that Clemson can compete at the highest levels — whether for top students, faculty and staff, big grants or athletics championships.

New academic buildings include a collaboration-friendly Freeman Hall addition that opens this fall, a technology-rich Watt Family Innovation Center opening in 2016 and an expanded Calhoun Honors College. The Core Campus project, located behind the Edgar A. Brown University Union, includes housing and dining facilities.
Seven residential buildings and a contemporary student hub will rise on 80 acres on the north side of Highway 93, changing a main gateway to campus, as well as the view from the President’s House.
In a project that is just as essential but not nearly as visible, the University will replace and update the main campus electrical distribution system. These electrical infrastructure upgrades will power Clemson for the future with a plug-and-play grid for sustainable and renewable energy from solar, wind and biodiesel generation from food and animal waste.
Tiger fans will enjoy a new mid-level WestZone pedestrian walkway and a 750-seat Stadium Suites upgrade at Memorial Stadium this fall, and a Doug Kingsmore Baseball Stadium addition with competitive player amenities and 150 more seats. An addition and renovation to Littlejohn Coliseum opens in 2016.
There’s more.
The Barnes Student Activity Center will transform the old Sheep Barn into a student life centerpiece. An Advanced Technological Education Center will be a STEM career pipeline to South Carolina jobs. And plans are on the drawing board for a new home for the College of Business and Behavioral Science, a football operations center, tennis complex and an outdoor fitness and wellness center. Further afield, but just as central to Clemson’s mission are additions to the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research campus in Greenville and the Zucker Family Graduate Education Center in North Charleston, scheduled for completion in fall 2016.
[pullquote]Much of this growth is due to the generosity of private donors and corporate partners who, as of June 30, 2015, have given more than $934 million to the $1 billion Will to Lead capital campaign to support Clemson’s future — including infrastructure and facilities.[/pullquote]
“Construction fences and cranes are signs of progress,” says Clements. “Many of our most heavily used academic and research facilities are 50 or more years old and badly in need of replacement or major renovation. Much of our electrical system is antiquated and unreliable. We need advanced and sustainable facilities and infrastructure to support great teaching and research and provide a rich campus life for our students.”
And according to Clements, it’s not just looking forward to 2020 or even 2025. “This plan is about positioning Clemson for the next 50 years and securing our place as one of the nation’s top research universities.

WATT FAMILY INNOVATION CENTER The Watt Family Innovation Center will be a cutting-edge facility located in the middle of campus, immediately south of Cooper Library. At 66,000 square feet in size and four stories tall, it will provide a significant amount of additional space for teaching and research in science, technology and engineering. Highly flexible, the building will have a robust infrastructure to serve the needs of an increasingly diverse student community and accommodate current and emerging technologies. Planned completion: December 2015

FREEMAN HALL ADDITION This project adds 24,000 square feet of office and classroom space to Freeman Hall. The addition on the western side of the building follows demolition of a small portion of the building. Accessibility will be enhanced and necessary infrastructure upgraded. Planned completion: July 2015

CORE CAMPUS The project will construct a 260,000-square-foot facility in the core of Clemson’s campus that will include approximately 700 residential beds, a dining hall that will seat up to 1,000 students, and an Honors College shared-use seminar and meeting space for faculty and students. The facility will replace the over-60-year-old dining and residential buildings with state-of-the-art facilities that are competitive with other top-tier universities. Planned completion: August 2016

DOUTHIT HILLS Through this project, approximately 1,650 residents will be housed in the area east of the Clemson House in LEED-certified buildings. The western portion will accommodate upperclassmen in apartment settings, and the section to the east will be a series of residence halls to be occupied by Bridge to Clemson students. A central hub will include a dining facility, bookstore, fitness center and coffee shop. Planned completion: August 2018

MEMORIAL STADIUM PROJECTS An addition to the WestZone Complex includes a new pedestrian area that creates a safe and inviting way to navigate through the mid-level of the WestZone, and it includes the construction of the oculus that will be the signature vertical element of the stadium. The bridge makes a direct connection from the north to the south stands, alleviating congestion on the interior WestZone concourse. The comprehensive renovation of the 35-year-old Memorial Stadium Suites and concourses will address life cycle issues, add 750 premium seats and provide enhanced amenities. Planned completion: August 2015
KINGSMORE STADIUM ADDITION The addition is a three-level facility located adjacent to the current locker room area on the stadium’s north side directly behind the first base stands. Locker rooms, a lobby, team areas, training rooms, a player’s dining area, meeting space, a gallery, catering kitchen, laundry, coaches’ offices and a players lounge are included. Planned completion: August 2015