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\nWhat you need to know first about Beth Clements is that she\u2019s real. That smile is genuine, and she speaks from the heart. When she\u2019s passionate about something, you see it in her face and hear it in her voice. \u201cBeing fake is too hard,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s too much work.\u201d
\nBeth grew up in western New York on the Finger Lakes, and she and Jim met at Towson University, where she earned her bachelor\u2019s in elementary education and her master\u2019s in reading. A six-month courtship was followed by a six-month engagement, and six months after the wedding, they were expecting their first child. Tyler, now a fourth-year student at WVU, was followed by twins, Maggie (a freshman at WVU) and Hannah (a freshman at Clemson), and Grace, a 13 year old at R.C. Edwards Middle School.
\nSpeaking of Grace, who has special needs, Beth says, \u201cShe\u2019s really just the cornerstone of our lives. She\u2019s made not just our immediate family, but our extended family, better.\u201d With curly red hair, beautiful blue eyes and freckles, Grace had become somewhat iconic in Morgantown. She was surrounded by peers in school who championed her and was active in a community sports program. With the move to Clemson, she\u2019ll be surrounded by extended family as well. Beth\u2019s two brothers and their families are here, providing an instant \u201cvillage\u201d of love and support.
\nGrace has introduced Beth to a new passion for people who learn differently. \u201cMy passion found me, and my purpose found me,\u201d says Beth, \u201cand that\u2019s Grace and others.\u201d Because of that passion, she hopes to bring more awareness of the Clemson LIFE program, both for parents whose children might qualify and for people who might be interested in supporting the program.
\nAs she looks to the year ahead, Beth is looking to create a home where her family can feel comfortable and settled, and to begin to put down roots. She loves the feeling of family that comes with being at Clemson. \u201cWhen we were announced, people said, \u2018Welcome Home. Welcome to the Clemson Family.\u2019 We do feel that, and we appreciate it. I love their passion, and that it doesn\u2019t go away, and that they pass it along to their kids.\u201d
\n\u201cIt\u2019s contagious,\u201d she says, \u201cand we\u2019ve all caught it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"