CLEMSON — Clemson University’s Board of Trustees met Wednesday afternoon to approve an Interim President to replace Jim Clements, who announced his retirement on Tuesday.

Clements’ last day as Clemson University’s President will be on Dec. 31.

The BOT officially approved Provost Bob Jones as the university’s interim president, while also approving a Presential Search Committee and an outside firm to undertake a national search to replace Clements. Jones will begin as Clemson’s Interim President on Jan. 1.

Jones, who was supposed to retire at the end of the month, agreed to stay on as Clemson’s interim president until the school finds someone to fill the position.

Clemson’s Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Jones served as chief academic officer, working closely with leadership to ensure that all academic activities supporting more than 30 units across nine colleges and the Libraries are in alignment with the Clemson Elevate strategic plan. 

His leadership has guided Clemson through transitions to a place of recognition for research pre-eminence threaded with excellence and dedication to deeply engaged teaching, service and research.

Jones worked closely with President Clements and the Board of Trustees on major institutional priorities. He had responsibilities for all facets of undergraduate and graduate education, academic support programs, outreach, and research at over 170 sites across the state of South Carolina, including Clemson, Greenville, Columbia, Greenwood and Charleston. 

A two-time Clemson graduate, Jones became Clemson University’s Chief Academic Officer and first Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost in September of 2014. But before that, Jones earned a Bachelor of Science in forest management in 1979 and a Master of Science in Forestry in 1981.

He completed his doctorate in forest ecology from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse University in 1986. And before returning to Clemson, Jones served as dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University and as department head and professor of biological sciences at Virginia Tech.

With a dedication to purpose-driven service and a love of nature, Provost Jones is admired for his lasting impact on Clemson University and higher education.

—Clemson University contributed to this story