Thank a Donor Day; Department of Plant Industry develops hornet reporting system

DAILY NEWSLETTER
APRIL 16, 2025

ABOVE THE FOLD

Good morning! Today is Thank a Donor Day for students to honor and express their gratitude for the generosity of donors. Tom Leathem has been named the new chair of the Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development; the president and vice-president for Clemson Undergraduate Student Government were sworn in last week and more.

Students hold up signs and t-shirts for Thank a Donor Day.

What to know today:

Today is Thank a Donor Day, where students honor and express their gratitude for the generosity of donors propelling them Fiercely Forward.

Students Zach Freeman and Maya Khaskhely were sworn in as 2025-26 Clemson Undergraduate Student Government president and vice president, respectively, in a ceremony last week.

NEWS AND UPDATES

Following a highly competitive national search, Tom Leathem has been named the new chair of the Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development, effective July 1. Leathem will join Clemson from Auburn University, where he is the undergraduate program chair and JE Wilborn associate professor in the McWhorter School of Building Science.

The Department of Plant Industry has introduced a new identification and reporting system to help combat the spread of yellow-legged hornets. The system allows South Carolina residents to report suspected yellow-legged hornet activity and embryo nests as the insects emerge from hibernation in the coming weeks.

POWER OF LEADERSHIP

Walt Bettinger II sits next to Michael Howley on stage.

The Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business recently hosted its first installment in The Power of Leadership: A Signature Speaker Series. The series focuses on bringing seasoned business leaders to Clemson to engage with business students, faculty and staff. The first speaker in the leadership series was Walt Bettinger II (pictured right), retired CEO and Co-chair of the Board of Directors for Charles Schwab.

MORE FROM TIGERTOWN

The Division of Marketing and Communications is helping make Senior Week Fiercely Forward. Following the ‘Photos at The Rock’ event, seniors will get the chance to leave their mark before graduation by customizing the Class of 2025 tiger sculpture. The Alumni Association will also host a "bucket list" of Clemson traditions for seniors to enjoy throughout the week.

Applications are now being accepted through May 9 for the Ross Cathy (’07) ADA Scholarship. This scholarship awards undergraduate students $1,000 annually, with $500 for the Fall and Spring semesters.

Cemetery Hill's Hidden History Camp has limited spots left for its elementary school camp (3rd–5th grade), running June 2–6. The deadline to register is May 9. There are also opportunities for middle schoolers (6th–8th grade) to join June 16–20 for a fun and engaging week exploring local history on Clemson’s campus through hands-on activities and discovery.

IN THE NEWS

How technology used in cryptocurrency could rescue S.C.'s at-risk forestry industry

Post and Courier | Features Patricia Layton (College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences)

UPCOMING EVENTS