Cornerstone gift to Student Affairs will elevate the Clemson Experience
Bo and Donna Gossett have a passion for Clemson University students and their well-being. They also intentionally direct their philanthropic focus to areas that can have the greatest impact. That is why they decided to support and enhance the Clemson student experience through the first Cornerstone gift fully dedicated to the Division of Student Affairs.
The Greenville couple support multiple Upstate charities and are active in their community. But Clemson is special to Bo, who grew up loving the University. Now, he and Donna are focusing their resources on Clemson students. Their Cornerstone gift will support the first pillar of Clemson Elevate, the University’s 10-year strategic plan, which is to deliver the No. 1 student experience. Through Bo’s volunteer advisory role with Student Affairs, the Gossetts know they have closely aligned their priorities to accomplish this goal.
Student Affairs ensures that every Clemson student has the best opportunity to excel inside and outside the classroom, graduate with a world-class education, and feel empowered and positioned for success beyond their time at Clemson. This mission involves a holistic approach that serves more than 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
The division strives to be the home away from home and family away from family for all Clemson students. It augments the academic mission of Clemson’s faculty, keeps students safe, makes them feel included and accepted, and provides opportunities for them to connect with each other and ultimately become the best version of themselves. Student Affairs remains intentionally present as students prepare for their next steps in life, equipping them to take a little piece of Clemson with them as they make an impact in the world after college.
“Through my involvement with Student Affairs over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the dedication to the well-being of our students, especially those who need it the most. That’s why we wanted to support this effort,” Bo said. “We wanted to put resources where it would make a difference in the lives of our students. That just felt right.” Donna agrees: “This totally fits our goals for philanthropy.”
The Gossetts’ Cornerstone gift to support the Clemson Experience is charting the course for the future direction of our University as Clemson strategically pursues, provides and measures innovative learning opportunities for students inside and outside the classroom that contribute to success throughout their lives.
For our students, the resources that help make their Clemson Experience the best in the nation will not come with a name attached to them. But that was never the intention. For the Gossetts, this is simply a gift from the heart.
