{"id":9676,"date":"2014-05-05T10:07:15","date_gmt":"2014-05-05T14:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/creative.clemson.edu\/clemsonworld\/?p=9676"},"modified":"2014-05-05T10:07:15","modified_gmt":"2014-05-05T14:07:15","slug":"9676","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/clemson.world\/archive\/9676\/","title":{"rendered":"My first semester"},"content":{"rendered":"

My first semester as Clemson\u2019s new president was busy, challenging and so much fun! Like all freshmen, I met thousands of new people and quickly learned my way around campus. My family and I even lived in the Clemson House for the semester. We enjoyed several snow days this winter and loved playing basketball outside on sunny days with our student neighbors.
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\"James<\/a>

James P. Clements<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

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Clemson deserves\u00a0its reputation as a top-21 national public university. We have phenomenal students, teachers and researchers, and alumni who understand and support our goals.
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From the Orange Bowl and a student-led campus tour in January, to Founders Week and Ring Week in April, to my investiture at commencent in May, it has been a whirlwind of activity.
\nOn my campus \u201clistening tour,\u201d I met separately with students, faculty, staff and administrators. I\u2019ve met twice with the Board of Trustees and with key volunteer groups like the Alumni Council, Board of Visitors, Will to Lead campaign executive committee and CU Foundation Board.
\nMy introduction to South Carolina took me to Spartanburg, Columbia, Greenwood, Greenville, Charleston, Lake City and Florence. It\u2019s a beautiful state filled with great people.
\nI\u2019ve spoken with and to industry leaders in textiles and agri-business, including the Chambers of Commerce in Greenville, Clemson and Gaffney; testified at budget hearings in Columbia; announced a $5.6 million gift from Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood; and met alumni at the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., Clemson Club.
\nI am also reaching out to students and alumni in some new ways. If you tweet, I hope you will follow me on Twitter @ClemsonPrez<\/a>.
\nWhat did I learn in my first semester at Clemson?
\nFirst, Clemson deserves its reputation as a top-21 national public university. We have phenomenal students, teachers and researchers, and alumni who understand and support our goals.
\nSecond, people in this state are proud of Clemson. They want to send their children here; they want to partner with us; they want to advocate for us.
\nThey know that Clemson is the total package \u2014 number one in the state for academic quality, value, return on investment and a great student experience. We\u2019ve made substantial progress in undergraduate education, and that will continue.
\nFinally, Clemson is poised for even greater things as a national leader in graduate education, research and innovation. Here are just three indicators:<\/p>\n