President Jim Clements
If you’re reading this, I’m so glad you’re here.
You have been given great talents and you can make a difference – in your life and in the lives of others. Believe in yourself and never doubt yourself.
You don’t have to be the smartest, fastest or the strongest; you simply need to do your best. Never lose sight of your ultimate goals. Visualize them. Dream about them (and dream BIG). And write them down. Set one goal along the way then, once you reach it, set another.
There will always be challenges, and sometimes there are obstacles, but they are never too big to overcome. So, I encourage you to never quit.
I am the grandson of a coal miner and a firefighter, and son to parents who taught me and my three older siblings that education was the key to a better life. I was a first-generation college student, and that lesson was a driving reason I pursued a life and career in higher education – to give students an opportunity.
You earned your spot here at Clemson. You are valued, and you are one of the reasons this place is so special. Whenever I share with someone the number of students we have, I never round that number. That is because every student matters.
The world needs you to tackle the challenges we are all facing, and my hope is that you will use your connections at Clemson and all of the teachings, tools, and resources provided here to help you along your path.
You are an inspiration to your friends, family, and your community. I believe in you, and I look forward to shaking the hand of each and every one of you when you cross the graduation stage.
Go Tigers!
President Jim Clements, Clemson University
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