CLEMSON — When the Clemson Agricultural College of South Carolina was established in 1889, America had just turned 113 years old. Almost 23 years since President Andrew Johnson’s official proclamation declaring the end of the Civil War.

The South, especially South Carolina, was still healing from the war. The infrastructure in the state was still rebuilding, including its farms. Poverty was everywhere, as the state slowly tried to repair its economy.

It took decades for the agricultural structure to get back to where it was prior to the war. The state’s agricultural struggles played a role in why the Clemson Agricultural College of South Carolina was established.

The college was specifically established for the working class, instead of relying on the elite classical education models. Those models were not helping the state, which at the time was mostly made up of poor farmers.

From the vision of Thomas Green Clemson, who bequeathed his Fort Hill estate to the state of South Carolina, Clemson College aimed to create a land-grant university that made education accessible and directly served the economic and technical needs of the state.

Clemson was also established as a military school, as its board of trustees believed strict, military-style environment and discipline were the best ways to foster academic excellence, while producing outstanding citizens.

What does all this have to do with America’s 250 birthday?

Well, everything.

I was fortunate enough to learn about Clemson’s rich agricultural and military history at an early age. As I was learning about Frank Howard, IPTAY and Clemson Football, my stepfather, who graduated from Clemson in 1949, was teaching me about his school first.

It’s the reason why I love Clemson University today. Clemson, as most of you know, has played a huge role in our country’s history and freedom. Though something as bad as the American Civil War was, it produced a school like Clemson, which produced courageous soldiers and leaders for our country in some of the most difficult battles we have faced as a nation.

From World War I, where the entire senior class voluntarily enlisted, to our current conflicts today with Iran and the war in Ukraine, Clemson has been by America’s side and has held her flag high in victory and defeat.

During World War II, Clemson supplied more Army officers than any other institution in the United States, trailing only the United States Military Academy at West Point and Texas A&M University.

Through the years, Clemson has lost 498 alumni or students in war, including 376 in War World II. My stepdad, who was injured in battle, was one of the fortunate ones who returned from the Great War and was able to earn his Clemson degree.

He proudly wore that badge, though he never spoke about what he saw and experienced in the war.

One of my favorite Clemson football stories, one I first heard from my stepdad, was about how Clemson football almost did not have enough players to field a team in 1942. Following the 1941 season, nearly the entire football team entered for military service.

During World War II, Clemson College supplied 6,500 men for the conflict. For the next six years, a period in which the Tigers went 23-40-2, the Clemson roster was field with 4-F’s—those designated unfit for military service—and 17-year-olds. Not exactly the secret to success on the gridiron.

And though it was not a good period for Clemson Football, it was a stretch in time that exemplifies what it means to be a “Clemson Gentleman.” Clemson was created to help heal the wounds of a battle left from a selfish war and later became a college where our country found some of its bravest and courageous soldiers.

Clemson’s military heritage and love for America can be seen all over campus, starting with the Clemson Cadet that looks over Bowman Field, the Scroll of Honor and all the way to Memorial Stadium, named for those Clemson alumni and students who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Today is America’s 250Birthday and what a grand time it is to be an American, but if you are a Clemson Alumnus or associated with the university in some capacity, your Clemson Pride should run deep as well, knowing how much your school has played a role in what America stands for.