CLEMSON — Shortly after being approved by the board of trustees as Clemson University’s 16th President on Thursday, Dr. Benjamin Ayers sent a formal email to the alumni and students at Clemson University.
Ayers, who spent 30 years at the University of Georgia, will start his tenure at Clemson University on Aug. 1.
“Throughout this process, every interaction I had with Clemson’s leadership reflected a clear and abiding commitment to this University — to its students, faculty, staff, alumni, mission and future,” Clemson’s President Elect wrote in the email, which was obtained by The Clemson Insider. “That commitment made a lasting impression on me. Today, I am fully committed to Clemson University, and I am ready to get to work.”
Ayers, who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Alabama before earning his PhD from the University of Texas, has already shown more of a commitment to Clemson than Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, who Clemson initially hired on May 27 to replace the retired Jim Clements.
Guskiewicz backed out as Clemson’s President Elect this past Monday and decided to stay at Michigan State. Clemson’s Board of Trustees did not waste any time, as they quickly went after Ayers. He pulled his name out of the hat in Clemson’s initial search, though he was identified as a serious candidate, according to Clemson Chairperson Kim Wilkerson in an email to the campus that was obtained by the State Newspaper’s Chapel Fowler.
“The path to this moment may have included unexpected turns, as life often does,” Ayers wrote. “But sometimes those moments bring even greater clarity. For me, that clarity is this: Clemson is one of the nation’s premier public, land-grant research universities with a powerful mission, remarkable people and tremendous opportunity ahead. To be selected to serve as Clemson’s 16th president is the opportunity of a lifetime.
“I come to this role as a strong believer in the land-grant mission and in the life-changing power of education. Education opens doors, strengthens families and communities, fuels discovery and innovation, and prepares people to lead and serve. Clemson’s commitment to teaching, research and service give this University the ability — and the responsibility — to make a tremendous impact across South Carolina and beyond.”
Ayers’ mission as Clemson’s newest President is a personal one for him. Coming from a family of educators, he learned early in life about the value of hard work and service and how education can change the direction of a person’s life.
“Those values have shaped my career and will guide my leadership at Clemson,” he continued.
In his conversations with members of the Clemson community, Ayers says he has been struck by the pride people have in Clemson University and by the deep sense of connection that binds the Clemson Family together.
“Clemson’s strength begins with its people,” Ayers wrote. “The students whose energy and ambition give this campus life; the faculty whose teaching, scholarship and discovery advance knowledge; the staff whose dedication makes this University work every day; the alumni whose pride carries Clemson across the world; the coaches, student-athletes and athletics staff who represent Clemson with passion and excellence; and the donors and partners whose generosity helps create opportunities for generations of Tigers.”
Ayers is especially excited by Clemson’s trajectory, and says Clemson is a university with momentum, purpose and a bold vision for what comes next.
Throughout his career, Ayers claims he worked to advance academic excellence, grow resources, strengthen research, expand student opportunities and build relationships that help universities thrive.
Growing philanthropic support and building partnerships have been important parts of his leadership experience. He said he is eager to bring that experience to Clemson in service of the University’s mission and aspirations.
“As I prepare to begin this work, my first priority will be to listen and learn. I want to meet with students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, community leaders, athletics leaders, elected officials and partners across South Carolina,” he said. “I want to better understand the work already underway, the aspirations of this community and the opportunities we have to build on Clemson’s many strengths.”
Ayers expressed his appreciation for being a part of the Clemson Family and in doing so, he wrote the one phrase that brings the entire Clemson Family together.
“I am honored by this opportunity. I am grateful for the welcome already extended to my family and me,” he wrote. “And I am energized by all that we will accomplish together.
“Beginning today, Clemson’s mission becomes my mission.
“I am All In.”
Ayer’s full email is below:
Dear Clemson Family,
Today, I have the great honor of writing to you as Clemson University’s President-Elect.
I am deeply grateful to Chair Kim Wilkerson, Trustee Cheri Phyfer, the members of the Presidential Search Committee and the Board of Trustees for the confidence they have placed in me. Throughout this process, every interaction I had with Clemson’s leadership reflected a clear and abiding commitment to this University — to its students, faculty, staff, alumni, mission and future. That commitment made a lasting impression on me. Today, I am fully committed to Clemson University, and I am ready to get to work.
The path to this moment may have included unexpected turns, as life often does. But sometimes those moments bring even greater clarity. For me, that clarity is this: Clemson is one of the nation’s premier public, land-grant research universities with a powerful mission, remarkable people and tremendous opportunity ahead. To be selected to serve as Clemson’s 16th president is the opportunity of a lifetime.
I come to this role as a strong believer in the land-grant mission and in the life-changing power of education. Education opens doors, strengthens families and communities, fuels discovery and innovation, and prepares people to lead and serve. Clemson’s commitment to teaching, research and service give this University the ability — and the responsibility — to make a tremendous impact across South Carolina and beyond.
That mission is personal to me. I come from a family of educators, and I learned early the value of hard work, service and the belief that education can change the direction of a life. Those values have shaped my career and will guide my leadership at Clemson.
In my conversations with members of the Clemson community, I have been struck by the pride people have in this University and by the deep sense of connection that binds the Clemson Family together. Clemson’s strength begins with its people: the students whose energy and ambition give this campus life; the faculty whose teaching, scholarship and discovery advance knowledge; the staff whose dedication makes this University work every day; the alumni whose pride carries Clemson across the world; the coaches, student-athletes and athletics staff who represent Clemson with passion and excellence; and the donors and partners whose generosity helps create opportunities for generations of Tigers.
I am especially excited by Clemson’s trajectory. This is a university with momentum, purpose and a bold vision for what comes next. Clemson Elevate reflects an ambitious and thoughtful path forward — one rooted in the student experience, research growth, statewide impact and the belief that Clemson can continue to lead at the highest levels of public higher education.
The research mission is particularly compelling. Clemson is well positioned to expand discovery, strengthen partnerships and address some of the most important challenges facing our state, nation and world. At a time of significant growth and opportunity across South Carolina, Clemson has an essential role to play in preparing talent, supporting communities, driving innovation and improving lives.
I also believe Clemson must continue to be a university of choice — a place where every student is valued, supported and challenged to reach their full potential. Student success will be at the center of my work. So will supporting the faculty and staff who make that success possible.
Throughout my career, I have worked to advance academic excellence, grow resources, strengthen research, expand student opportunities and build relationships that help universities thrive. Growing philanthropic support and building partnerships have been important parts of my leadership experience. I am eager to bring that experience to Clemson in service of the University’s mission and aspirations.
As I prepare to begin this work, my first priority will be to listen and learn. I want to meet with students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, community leaders, athletics leaders, elected officials and partners across South Carolina. I want to better understand the work already underway, the aspirations of this community and the opportunities we have to build on Clemson’s many strengths.
My wife, Marilyn, and our family are excited to become part of the Clemson Family. We look forward to being on campus, meeting you and making Clemson our home.
I am honored by this opportunity. I am grateful for the welcome already extended to my family and me. And I am energized by all that we will accomplish together.
Beginning today, Clemson’s mission becomes my mission.
I am All In.
Go Tigers!
Benjamin C. Ayers, Ph.D.
President-Elect, Clemson University
—photo courtesy of Clemson Athletic Communications