Clemson World Archive | Winter 2016-Lifelong

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

January 5, 2016 / in Lifelong Tigers / 0 Comments / by: Jon Harp

APRIL 1-10 Week of Service
Make sure your city is represented as we show the world that Tigers really do care for their neighbors. Find a club near you that is hosting an event at Clemson.edu/alumni under “Get Involved.”
APRIL 14-17 RBC Heritage Golf Tournament:
Stop by the Clemson tent during the tournament at Hilton Head and say hello.
APRIL 19-21 Senior week
The Alumni Association will be celebrating our soon-to-be-graduates with a variety of events including “Rub the Rock” and the Senior Picnic.

JUNE 9-10 Reunion
Mark your calendar and join us to celebrate our new Golden Tigers!

Making it Official: Two Named Honorary Alumni

January 1, 2016 / in Lifelong Tigers / 0 Comments / by: Jon Harp

There are people you meet who give every indication of being Clemson alumni. Loyalty, enthusiasm and dedication to all things orange seem to radiate from them. Bobby Couch Jr. and John Komo are those type of people. This past fall, the Alumni Association made it official by bestowing on them the title of “Honorary Alumnus.”
Couch, who came to Clemson in 2005 as assistant director of athletics and IPTAY’s executive director of major gifts, responded, “From the day that Brian O’Rourke [associate vice president for advancement] brought my family and me here, the Clemson family has wrapped its arms around us and never let go. I work and live every day to return that passion I feel exuding from the hearts of all that are Solid Orange.”
Since then, he has led the athletic department through its first-ever $28 million and $185 million fundraising campaigns, secured the largest major and planned athletics gift in Clemson history and funded the restoration of the “Heisman Bible.” As current associate athletic director for development for athletics and director of IPTAY major gifts, Couch manages a portfolio of 150 prospective donors and makes 200 visits per year.
“For many years, Bobby has served as a tireless ambassador of the University, and he has demonstrated the passion and dedication to see Clemson achieve its goals that are usually only found among our alumni,” said Wil Brasington, alumni relations senior director. “Because of that, we felt it was only fitting to express our appreciation through this high distinction and, in doing so, we declare him ‘one of our own,’ a Clemson alumnus.”

John Komo served as a professor in the Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering for 34 years before retiring and is credited with helping students succeed in life as well as in the classroom.
“It’s wonderful to be recognized, but for me, it’s always been about providing the best education for the students,” Komo said when he received the honor. “That was always my favorite part of the job.”
Komo, who still lives in Clemson, established an endowed fellowship in 2007 for graduate students in  his department. Many of his former students and colleagues have given to the fund in recognition of him as a teacher, mentor and friend.
“Over the past 21 years, it has been consistently apparent to me that the University and Clemson’s students have had a rare friend and treasure in Dr. Komo,” said Dan Noneaker, chair of the Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “Many Clemson ECE graduates who have gone on to high-impact engineering careers attribute their success in no small measure to Dr. Komo’s commitment to their development as engineering professionals.”
Honorary alumni are selected by the Alumni Association Honors and Awards Committee for outstanding service, lifelong devotion and loyalty to the University or the Alumni Association.

Alumni Club News

January 1, 2016 / in Lifelong Tigers / 0 Comments / by: Jon Harp

Pictured: Jacksonville Club leadership (l-r), in front of the San Marco Theatre: Ashley Helmick ‘11, president; Hannah Esposito ‘11, community relations director; Jon Storck ‘99, secretary; Megan Storck; and Brandon Beck ‘01,
vice president.

Clemson Clubs around the country — and beyond — have been busy this fall. We’ve received updates from groups as close as York, South Carolina, and as far away as London.
Members of the Jacksonville Club wanted to gather to cheer on the Tigers against Appalachian State. They were looking for a place to get together, share some food and watch on a big screen. The San Marco Theatre, an art deco, eat-in movie theatre, filled the bill and even posted “Go Tigers” on the marquis. Approximately 40 folks attended; club president Ashley Helmick ’11 reports that about 70 percent were new faces.
The York County Club hosted approximately 300 for a send-off party last fall, celebrating 80 students as they headed off to Clemson for the year. You can view a drone video of that event by going to clemson.world and clicking on “Lifelong Tigers.”
In Louisville, Tigers gathered to tailgate at Churchill Downs before heading to the stadium to cheer on the team. And in London, a group of Clemson alumni are beginning the process of forming a Clemson Club.

In Farragut, Tennessee, Van and Ashley Jones, along with Bryan and Jeanette Fuller, hosted more than 50 Clemson alumni and fans at their home in early August.

The Baltimore/Washington, D.C. Clemson Club has had a number of activities this fall, including their annual Crab Fest, “Six Degrees of Clemson Professional Networking,” a reception at the Slovenian Embassy, and “An Insider’s Look” into the Clemson admission process. For more photos of their events, go to http://www.clemsonclub.org/pictures/
Are you looking for a Clemson Club in your area? Go to alumni.clemson.edu and click on  “Get Involved” or email Bubba Britton at bubba@clemson.edu.

Proudly Clemson, even in Tuscaloosa

December 31, 2015 / in Lifelong Tigers / 0 Comments / by: Jon Harp

This group of alumni might have been at ESPN’s “College GameDay” in Alabama, but Mark Johnson, Hope Burley, Morgan Eriksson, Leslie Olson, Bates Nunamaker, Allen Phillips and Will Hewston were wearing their orange and purple, sporting their rings and hoisting the Clemson flag. If you’re planning on being at a game that’s been designated as ESPN “College GameDay,” and you want to help #FlyTheFlag, email bubba@clemson.edu.

Five Named to Alumni Board

December 31, 2015 / in Lifelong Tigers / 0 Comments / by: Jon Harp

Five new members have been named to the 23-member Alumni Association Board of Directors. The board is responsible for general oversight, financial audit and review, governing policies and strategic planning.

Joni Byars ’07 of Greenville is a U.S. Army veteran working for the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Greenville VA Clinic, where she is housing manager for the Homeless Veterans Program. She is a founding member of the Dorchester County Clemson Club, where she served as president and  vice president.
Shaun Cranford ’03 of Columbia is an attorney with the Cranford Law Firm and represents homeowners’ associations in North and South Carolina. He is former president of the Columbia Clemson Club and a recipient of the Roaring 10 Award.
Mike Hamilton ’85, M ’88 of Franklin, Tennessee, is executive director of Show Hope, a nonprofit founded to care and advocate for orphans worldwide. He is past president of the Tampa Bay Clemson Club.
Eric Thome ’00 of Charleston is owner/operator of Folbot, a manufacturer of folding kayaks. He is also a member of the Charleston Clemson Club.
Barbara Walker Webb ’89 of Neeses is a compliance consultant for Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, Columbia. She is past president of the Edisto Clemson Club. A volunteer for the S.C. Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, she has served as walk chair, co-chair and walk committee member for the Columbia Area Out of the Darkness Community Walk.

Put a Ring on it

December 30, 2015 / in Lifelong Tigers / 0 Comments / by: Jon Harp

Morgann Alcumbrack, Fleming Hall and Mary Catherine Harbin were three of the more than 1,700 students who purchased their Clemson rings this past fall. The three-day fall ring sale set a record for the most rings ever purchased in a semester.
For more information about how you can purchase a Clemson ring, or other related merchandise, go to alumni.clemson.edu.

Benet Babes Pay it Forward

December 30, 2015 / in Lifelong Tigers / 0 Comments / by: Jon Harp

Bottom row (l-r): Sandy Ruff, Lisa Burnett Hendrix, Galen Johnston; second row: Celeste “Clete” Boykin, Sheri Richardson Lazenby, Lorenda Dasher, Ellen Hurst Griffith; third row: Roseann Stone Helms, Karen Newell, Robin Graham Mouzon, Rhonda Aull Hyde; fourth row: Denise Wooten, Lynn Jolly Sewell, Marie Tewkesbury; back row: Vicky Taylor Culbertson, Sue Stewart Fleming, Malcolm McClure (honorary Benet Babe).

In 1975, a group of freshman women found themselves living in Benet Hall and began a lifelong journey of friendship and family. It’s a group that perfectly represents what alumni mean when they talk about the Clemson family. Every year, the Benet Babes get together to renew their friendship and catch up with each others’ lives.
This year, that group decided it was time to pay it forward, and they joined together to establish a scholarship fund. Lisa Burnett Hendrix, described as “the chief Benet Babe advocate for establishing and maintaining our scholarship,” says it best:
“In 1975, we came from different towns, states and backgrounds, to receive a quality education at Clemson University. As fate would have it, we were assigned rooms in Benet Hall and so began our lifelong friendships. As the years passed, we began to get together on an annual basis and reminisce about how fortunate we were to meet one another at Clemson.

“We decided it was time that others were offered the same type of experience. Hence, the establishment of the ‘Benet Babes’ scholarship which will allow a Clemson student to gain a great education while developing relationships that may last a lifetime. After all, we are one big family, the Clemson family, and we take great care of one another.”

Clemson Family Connections

December 30, 2015 / in Lifelong Tigers / 0 Comments / by: Jon Harp

Sarah Barron Stuber ’09 with Patti Dodgen also a Clemson alum

Sarah Barron Stuber ’09 found that waving the Clemson flag  on ESPN “GameDay” brings new Clemson friends, even in East Lansing, Michigan. She had been at “GameDay” for about an hour when Patti Dodgen walked over to say that she was also a Clemson alum and to express her appreciation for Stuber bringing Clemson to East Lansing. Dodgen’s husband is a Michigan State graduate, and they make the trip up from their home in Tampa  for at least one game each year.
As they began talking, they realized Dodgen was from the same hometown as Stuber’s father, Tommy Barron ’76. Not only had Dodgen grown up next door, she also lived with Stuber’s aunt (Mary Roberts Barron) at Clemson and knew Dodgen’s mother.
“I had heard her name many times before, when my dad would tell stories of his childhood in York, but never had the pleasure of meeting her,” says Stuber. “It was a special Clemson family moment, and we spent the last two hours of “GameDay” talking and laughing about how a Clemson flag in East Lansing, Michigan, can bring together two Tiger families from South Carolina after almost 30 years.”

Roaring 10 Recognized

December 30, 2015 / in Lifelong Tigers / 0 Comments / by: Jon Harp

Clockwise from upper left: Harrison Trammell, Rick Joye, Matthew Pencek, Matthew Bundrick, Darris Means, Brian Collie, Jessica Barron Martin, Joseph Branch II, Stephanie Sox, and Scott Sampson.

Clemson has recognized 10 young alumni for their impact in business, leadership, community, educational and philanthropic endeavors. This year’s Roaring 10 were selected for their commitment to Clemson’s core values of honesty, integrity and respect, and as well as involvement with and contributions to the University.

Brian Collie ’04, M ’06 of Mount Pleasant leads tax, estate planning and real estate practice for Buxton and Collie LLC. He is involved with the Clemson Emerging Scholars Program and served as a member of the Clemson University MBA Alumni Council.
Darris Means ’07 of Athens, Georgia, is an assistant professor at the University of Georgia in the counseling and human development services department and college student affairs administration program. He serves on Clemson’s Higher Education and Student Affairs External Education Advisory Board.
Harrison Trammell ’06 of Charleston is an associate at Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice LLP. He has the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credential and is a member of South Carolina’s chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. He participated in the Clemson Alumni Council from 2012 to 2014, serving as president of Clemson Young Alumni Council in 2013.
Jessica Barron Martin ’07, M ’09 of Charleston is a vice president in Wells Fargo’s real estate group. She participates in Clemson’s Real Estate Alumni Society and is president of Clemson in the Lowcountry. She formerly served as co-chair of the Wells Fargo Lowcountry Volunteer Chapter and was president of the Greater Orlando Clemson Club.
Joseph Branch II ’05 of Alexandria, Virginia, has been deployed eight times since graduation. His outstanding performance in the U.S. Army Special Operations command led to his selection for an Army Inter-Agency Fellowship with the National Geospatial Agency. He continues to support Clemson’s ROTC program and Tiger athletics.
Matthew Bundrick ’07 of Clemson serves as Clemson Creative Services’ director of web services. In addition to playing a critical role in the development of Clemson’s websites, he has been highly involved with the Staff Senate since 2010, serving as president from 2014-2015.
Matthew Pencek ’10 of Washington, D.C., works for MorganFranklin Consulting and has been recognized as a “Top Consultant Under 35” by trade associations. He is a College of Business and Behavioral Science Tiger Ties mentor and is involved with the Baltimore/D.C. Clemson Club.
Rick Joye ’97, M ’06 of Greenville is an executive at Michelin North America and a supply chain manager for 10 Michelin manufacturing plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. He also founded Sustaining Way, a nonprofit that brings together diverse individuals and organizations to find affordable ways to care for people while caring for the environment.
Scott Sampson ’08, M ’10 of Clemson currently serves as Young Alumni annual giving officer. Young alumni giving has increased each year Sampson has held the position. He also is involved in Clemson’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and continues to give campus tours as an ambassador.
Stephanie Sox ’07 of Columbia is executive director of the S.C. Soybean Board, representing the state’s 1,800 soybean farmers. She also serves as the Certified S.C. Grown Palmetto Series project manager and was selected as a 2014 National Top Ten Finalist for the American Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award. She is a College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences alumni board member.