AI Research Symposium set for April 17; Alumni couple establishes fund for Libraries student assistants; Employee shout-outs

DAILY NEWSLETTER
MARCH 17, 2026

ABOVE THE FOLD

Good morning and Happy St. Patrick's Day! The AI Research Symposium is scheduled for Friday, April 17, at the Watt Family Innovation Center. An alumni couple has established a fund to help the Libraries hire more student assistants; A faculty member discusses her work in a College of Education program.

Three men sitting down with one holding a microphone.

What to know today:

The AI Research Symposium is scheduled for Friday, April 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Watt Family Innovation Center. Hosted by AIRISE, Watt AI, CU-CHAI and CCIT Research Computing and Data, the symposium is an opportunity for researchers from diverse disciplines to share their research and insights on artificial intelligence and its applications.

NEWS AND UPDATES

Dave Steele and Lisa Steele stand outside in the snow.

Clemson alumnus Dave Steele and his wife, Lisa, have established the Dave ’76 and Lisa Steele Annual Student Library Assistant Fund to help the Libraries hire more student assistants. The Libraries employs more than 80 students each semester, making it one of the largest student employers on campus.

A new study from Clemson scientists Bhupinder Farmaha and Shikha Dubey found that many South Carolina cotton farmers may be applying more nitrogen fertilizer than their fields need, costing growers money and increasing environmental risks.

TEACHING INNOVATORS: KELLI SEAWELL

Kelli Seawell standing in front of a smart board.

A clinical assistant professor, program coordinator and avid Harry Potter fan, Kelli Seawell teaches in the College of Education's human capital education and development program. The College caught up with Seawell to discuss how she works with a mix of traditional and non-traditional students, her time in the human capital program and why Hermione Granger is more than a book character.

MORE FROM TIGERTOWN

Librarians from across the country will gather at Clemson this May for the ninth annual Empirical Librarians Conference. The conference focuses on librarians as researchers, supporting and showcasing their original research in library and information science. Registration is open.

EMPLOYEE SHOUT-OUTS

Today's shout-outs feature Kasi Hubbard, April Pelt, CECAS Office Managers, Yuki Kihara, Keith Walton and Meredith Wilson! Fill out our short nomination form to include your colleagues in future editions and check out previous shout-outs!