Trustees, leaders, students celebrate Clemson Day By Journal Staff Mar 7, 2026 COLUMBIA — Clemson University trustees, executive leaders, students, employees and stakeholders came together Tuesday in Columbia in celebration of “Clemson Day” as designated by the South Carolina Senate.
After welcome remarks from Senate President Thomas Alexander and Rep. Philip Bowers, attendees enjoyed hearing about Clemson’s impact throughout the state and beyond — impact that includes annual economic valuation of more than $6 billion, more than 37,000 jobs statewide and $114 million in annual state tax revenue.
“Clemson is the standard, not only in South Carolina, but in the entire country,” Alexander said.
Interim president Bob Jones provided a short update on the university, including the recent news that 60 of the 80 seats in the inaugural class of the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine have been offered to in-state students. Jones then led a small group from the Palmetto Club across Gervais Street to the State House — where both the Senate and House of Representatives recognized Clemson for its efforts as a national leader in higher education.
The event concluded with an afternoon presentation from Harry Lightsey, secretary of commerce for South Carolina, and an evening reception at a local restaurant.
Student, industry panels take center stage
One of the highlights was a five-person panel that included three undergraduates, one master’s candidate and a Ph.D. student. The panel represented more than 30 attending students and highlighted the various involvements and perspectives they have gained at Clemson University.
The following were part of the panel:
— Zach Freeman, senior
• Major: Marketing and management
• Hometown: Fayetteville, Arkansas
• Clemson Undergraduate Student Government President
— Jessica Pressley, senior
• Major: Management and economics
• Hometown: Taylors, South Carolina
• Undergraduate Student Senate President Pro Tempore
— Jake Serra, senior
• Major: Health science
• Hometown: Westerly, Rhode Island
• Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President
— Kazi Rana, Ph.D. student
• Major: Biomedical data science and informatics
• Hometown: Bangladesh
• Graduate Student Government President
— Liz Bagatini, graduate student
• Major: Social science
• Hometown: Weston, Florida
• Graduate Student Senate President
Four industry professionals followed by taking part in a discussion of big research ideas and maximizing government partnership opportunities with Clemson students, future leaders of the workforce. Panelists included Clemson alums Robert Etheridge of Mixon Seed Service and Haley Howe of Arthrex. Other panelists were Melanie Spare of Siemens Digital Industries Software and Anthon Thomas from Michelin North America.
Board of Visitors Legislative Leadership Award
The Clemson Day program always includes a presentation from the university’s Governmental Affairs team of the Board of Visitors Legislative Leadership Award. The 2025 recipient was Sen. Ross Turner of Greenville. He serves on the Senate’s Higher Education Budget Subcommittee. In his role, Turner has advocated for the University through its initial education and general budget requests. He has supported many of Clemson’s legislative priorities by providing guidance and leadership through the Senate Finance and Senate Education committees.
Turner was invited to share some of those legislative priorities but was instead greeted with a tiger-shaped plaque from Clemson vice president for external affairs Angie Leidinger. Leidinger’s team invited members of Turner’s family to attend the recognition — bringing the room to a standing ovation for his efforts.
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