Clemson University
Visit Clemson University | Contact Administration

Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina 29634
http://www.clemson.edu

Clemson University was founded in 1889, a legacy of Thomas Green Clemson, who willed his Fort Hill plantation home, its surrounding farmlands and forest, and other property to the state of South Carolina to establish a technical and scientific institution for South Carolina. Clemson opened its doors to 446 students as a military college in 1893.

Today, Clemson is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a Doctoral/Research University-Extensive, a category comprising less than 4 percent of all universities in America. Students can choose from more than 80 undergraduate and 100 graduate degree programs in five colleges: Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; Architecture, Arts and Humanities; Business and Public Affairs; Engineering and Science; and Health, Education and Human Development.

Clemson is the institution of choice for South Carolina's brightest students. At 1205, the average SAT score for Clemson freshmen is the highest among public institutions in the state. Clemson enrolled more than a third of the state's Palmetto Fellows, the state's highest academic scholarship, more than any other public or private institution.

Clemson's reputation as a national university is growing. In 2001, it was named TIME Magazine's Public College of the Year for its innovative communications-across-the-curriculum program. In its 2004 annual college guide edition, U.S. News and World Report ranked Clemson 35th among top national public universities -- the top ranking for any South Carolina institution. Kiplinger's ranks Clemson 20th among top public universities, based on quality and accessibility.

Clemson's stature as a research institution also is growing. Clemson's Center for Advanced Engineering Fibers and Films was designated a national engineering research center by the National Science Foundation, one of only 20 in the nation. Clemson's record in generating income from patents and licenses and its faculty expertise in textiles, fibers and film engineering led to the donation of more than $50 million worth of patents and intellectual properties from Eastman Chemical Co. and the Hoechst Co.

As the state's land-grant university, Clemson reaches out to citizens, communities and businesses all over South Carolina. Clients ranging from farmers and schoolteachers to at-risk youth and community leaders benefit from Clemson's diverse, local public service activities. The Public Service Activities division includes the county-based Cooperative Extension Service, five off-campus Research and Education Centers, and critical regulatory responsibilities for plant and animal health.

Points of interest at Clemson include the following:

The Clemson Conference Center and Inn is a state-of-the-art facility for symposia, meetings, seminars and other programs. The center includes the Madren Continuing Education and Conference Center, an 18-hole championship golf course and an inn.

The South Carolina Botanical Garden, a 295-acre public garden, features several thousand varieties of ornamental plants and a unique collection of nature-based sculptures.

The Robert Howell Brooks Center for the Performing Arts brings an exciting
array of fine arts performances to the community.

The Bob Campbell Geology Museum at the Botanical Garden displays a large collection of gems, minerals and other specimens donated by collectors.

The T. Ed Garrison Livestock Arena is a showplace for livestock activities in the state and has hosted horse and livestock shows, rodeos, sales, 4-H activities, educational programs and industrial and agricultural exhibitions.

Fort Hill, the home of John C. Calhoun and later of his son-in-law, University founder Thomas Green Clemson, is a registered National Historic Landmark located in the center of campus.