An overview of how the Clemson University Honors College is ensuring its students have the opportunities and experiences they need to succeed.
2023-24 ANNUAL REPORT
CONTENTS
2 Message from the Dean 3 Mission and Vision 4 Honors College 101 5 Student Excellence and Success 13 Interdisciplinary and Engaged Learning 18 Community Engagement
Message From the Honors Dean
The Clemson University Honors College is where the University’s highest achieving students come to explore — new ideas, interdisciplinary perspectives, and opportunities that help them look at learning in a different way. The Honors College has grown significantly over the past year in the number of first-year and continuing student applications, student programs and opportunities, staff supports, and connections with our alumni. With that growth comes an increased focus and ability to ensure Honors students have the opportunities and experiences they need to succeed. Recently, for example, we launched a new Honors Success Grant program to help students participate in invaluable short-term opportunities that can arise during the academic year, such as learning experiences over spring or winter break or weekend academic contests. We introduced a new monthly alumni speaker series, helping our students connect with and learn from leaders in their fields. And we’re expanding Honors experiential learning opportunities by designing new Honors courses that provide unique and compelling interactive academic experiences. Our goal is to continue to attract high achieving students, give them access to exceptional learning opportunities, and help them define and reach their goals. You can see how we’re doing just that in the following pages.
Our goal is to provide our students with the resources and opportunities to excel and to think about not only what they want to do, but who they want to be.
Sarah Winslow, Ph.D. Inaugural Dean Clemson University Honors College
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About Clemson Honors ENGAGING CLEMSON’S MOST EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS
The Clemson University Honors College provides opportunities for the most academically engaged, intellectually curious, and community-minded undergraduate students to enhance their degree with programs and experiences that help them grow academically, personally, and professionally. Clemson Honors students take courses with top professors across the University and have access to a wide range of innovative learning opportunities. They are also engaged — in their classes, on campus, and in their communities. While they are on campus, Honors students are encouraged to participate in or design their own applied learning options, empowering them to build their own personalized campus experience. They also become part of a community that nurtures friendship, support, and success. Students are supported by a team of Honors advisors and have the opportunity to live and learn in the University’s only residential college community situated in a state-of- the-art, nationally-recognized residential facility. Living in the Honors Residential College provides students the opportunity to build intentional community with intellectually curious and interdisciplinary peers, connect deeply with faculty and staff, experience learning beyond the classroom, and form lifelong relationships that support success at Clemson and beyond.
To be the premier Honors College in the country, serving as an incubator for innovative, interdisciplinary, and engaged learning opportunities that prepare students to confront pressing problems. VISION
We recruit exceptional students, provide them with signature interdisciplinary learning experiences, and cultivate a community of scholars, learners, and leaders. MISSION
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About Clemson Honors HONORS COLLEGE 101
Clemson Honors students across all academic colleges 1,873
in-state 54%
45 U.S. states Representing
400+ Faculty engaged in Honors instruction or initiatives each year
82
19
Majors across campus
Students per Honors seminar
HONORS STUDENTS ARE:
8%
of the total Clemson University student population
81% of Clemson’s national and international award recipients, such as the Rhodes, Gates Cambridge, and Truman scholarships 51% of college-level award recipients in 2023-24
96% report immediate plans
443
90% of Honors graduates report participating in Honors community activities, groups, or programs
Honors graduation candidates
2023-24 HONORS GRADUATES
for employment or further education
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Student Excellence and Success
INCOMING HONORS CLASS
Honors College applications have grown exponentially over the past decade, outpacing even the high growth of the University as a whole. The Fall 2024 admissions cycle was the College’s most competitive ever, with more than 5,500 completed applications. Applications came from almost every U.S. state and from as far away as Brazil. The median incoming Honors student has a 4.0 GPA and was in the top 2% of their graduating class. They also have a median SAT of 1450 (among those who reported their scores). Outside the classroom, our incoming Honors students were also engaged in a range of activities, including clubs, sports, research, and community service, with demonstrable leadership and measurable impact.
27.1% of applicants
5,512 completed Honors College
received an invitation to
applications, a 15.2% increase over last year
become Honors College members
27% were ranked first or second in their high school’s graduating class
83% of incoming Honors students were president, captain, or founder of a club, organization, or business
ACTIVITIES AND AWARDS
Riley Stotzky (‘24) arrived at Clemson thinking that she would study something like mathematics. Her Honors classes and study abroad experiences as a National Scholar and Dixon Global Policy Scholar, however, helped her see an interconnectedness in a dual political science and economics degree. Riley went on to conduct Departmental Honors research with Dr. Fine that focused on the factors that lead states to repeal the tampon tax. She also took part in a Creative Inquiry about politicians’ use of social media — work that she’s published in an academic journal and presented at national conferences. Now that she’s graduated, she plans to work in international economic policy after earning a Master’s degree at the London School of Economics.
Political Science & Economics Major Completed General and Departmental Honors National Scholar Dixon Global Policy Scholar Honors College Student Ambassador 2024 Fulbright Semi-Finalist 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award (CBSHS) 2024 James F. Byrnes Award (top Political Science student)
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Student Excellence and Success CLEMSON’S PREMIER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS The University’s premier total cost of attendance scholarship programs, the National Scholars Program and Breakthrough Scholars Program, were brought together under one umbrella during the 2023-24 academic year, managed by a new Director of Scholarship Programs. Scholars from both programs are now more closely connected, participating in special events together and sharing a space that is open 24/7 for them to gather to work, socialize, and build community. Program staff are also based in the Scholars’ suite, ensuring they are able to provide the intensive advising and mentoring that is central to both programs. In addition, scholars in each program benefit from a Faculty Fellow who leads them in their first-year seminar and mentors the cohort all four years.
National Scholars Program ABOUT THE PROGRAMS
Breakthrough Scholars Program The Breakthrough Scholars Program (BSP) provides dedicated academic and professional development for a select group of undergraduate STEM majors who reside in state and show interest in pursuing advanced degrees. The National Scholars Program (NSP) provides a select number of Clemson Honors students from any academic major — and from any U.S. state (or beyond) — with unique intellectual, professional, and personal development experiences, as well as enhanced educational enrichment. Program vision: to create a transformative community offering life-changing experiences and developing thoughtful scholar-leaders who listen, critically examine their place in the world, and use their talents to serve. Program vision: to recruit and support a select and talented group of students from South Carolina who have the potential to be change agents in their fields in pursuing advanced degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
50
80%
20
of the University’s Norris Medal award recipients over the past decade
current scholars across both programs
academic majors represented
Katherine Harland (‘24) Architecture and Mathematical Sciences Double Major National Scholar 2024 Phi Kappa Phi Certificate of Merit Award from CAAC
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BREAKTHROUGH SCHOLARS
Incoming Breakthrough Scholars spend the summer before their first year on campus building research skills and connections with leading Clemson faculty through the Honors College’s EUREKA! summer research program. The program is also focused on encouraging scholars to get to know one another and other incoming Honors students, creating a community that can last throughout their Clemson experience.
This year, BSP hosted a workshop designed to provide a space for scholars to explore their own academic and career goals, connect with STEM professionals to expand their networks, and equip them with the necessary tools to pursue research, graduate school, and careers in STEM.
Breakthrough Scholars are also serving as champions for STEM careers. For example, scholars
Christian Ihekweazu and Kwame Andre delivered a
presentation entitled, “Future- Proof your Passion: Blending what you love with Tech” to middle and senior high school students and guidance counselors at the 2024 Men of Color Summit — forging a path for future program scholars.
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NATIONAL SCHOLARS
Incoming National Scholars participate in a first-year workshop that introduces students to the tenets of the NSP. Scholars also meet once a week throughout the academic year. Activities, projects, and seminars help Scholars build community within their cohort and cultivate their professional networks, while encouraging them to think about their roles as changemakers at Clemson.
National Scholar Elizabeth Caldwell was named a 2024 Truman Scholar. She is Clemson’s fourth Truman Scholar (and third National Scholar to win a Truman) since 2017 and the University’s fifth recipient in 42 years. National Scholars won several major awards this year, including the Fulbright and two of the University’s three awards to its top students in the May 2024 graduating class.
In May, National Scholars were joined by Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Robert H. Jones on trips to Germany and Greenland — study-travel experiences that were designed to help the scholars develop intercultural competencies, grow personally and intellectually, build community within and across their scholar cohort, and equip them to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
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Student Excellence and Success
2023-24 STUDENT AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
UNIVERSITY AWARD RECIPIENTS
Helena Harte 2024 Norris Medal Fulbright Semi-Finalist National Scholar
2024 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award Leah Terry
Christian Blackburn 2024 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award Fulbright Award (Czech Republic) National Scholar
NATIONAL AND GLOBAL AWARDS
Caroline Argenti 2024 Goldwater Scholarship
Elizabeth Caldwell 2024 Truman Scholar National Scholar
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Gracie Dellinger 2024 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
2024 Goldwater Scholarship Adam Gatch
2024 Churchill & 2023 Goldwater Scholarships Giovanni Orlandi
2024 Goldwater & Astronaut Scholarships Maggie Marte
Shreya Tellur 2024 Fulbright Award (Scotland)
Michael Smith
Kayleigh Trumbull 2024 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship 2024 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship 2022 Fulbright Award (Czech Republic)
Audrey Wessinger 2024 Goldwater Scholarship
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Interdisciplinary and Engaged Learning
HONORS LEARNING
2023-24 BY THE NUMBERS
Over the past academic year, Honors students chose from a variety of Honors seminars, including options focused on: why some brands, companies, and ideas become more or less “cool” over time; how well-being is conceptualized in different cultures through analyzing and experiencing popular leisure-based wellness activities; and exploring how video games can be treated as a form of literature by reading about, watching and playing them together. Students can also find Honors sections of courses offered in departments across campus, and are able to explore more than 800 Honors research or thesis courses that offer the potential to make new discoveries with leading faculty. They can also choose from Creative Inquiry projects across all disciplines — and interdisciplinary ones right in the Honors College. For example, a group of Honors students worked with Assistant Professor Joshua Catalano (also our Honors Residential College Faculty in Residence) in a Creative Inquiry this year that worked to capture the Honors student experience and how it has evolved over time — an initiative that started as an Honors seminar option and evolved into a larger research project.
59 Honors seminar options
251
Standalone and embedded Honors sections of departmental courses
807
Honors research, thesis, or Creative Inquiry course options
ACTIVITIES AND AWARDS
Louise Franke (‘22), Clemson’s first Rhodes Scholar, said that connections she made as a Dixon Global Policy Scholar (GPS) made campus feel smaller and more welcoming. She refers to class discussions with her fellow GPS scholars as one of her favorite Clemson experiences because they helped her see the importance of interdisciplinary work and how it can positively impact public policy development. She is now pursuing a B.A. in philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford before earning a joint M.D. and Ph.D. in bioethics. Louise has said that she is not certain she would have felt empowered and equipped to pursue a Rhodes scholarship at a different school, and without the resources and people she had access to during her time at Clemson and the Honors College.
Biochemistry Major with minors in philosophy and political science 2021 Rhodes Scholarship Completed General and Departmental Honors Dixon Global Policy Scholar Lyceum Scholar 2022 Outstanding Senior in Science President Pro-Tempore of the Clemson Undergraduate Student Senate Co-founded a student-led journal, The Aurantiaco , to share critical writing on the humanities and social sciences.
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Interdisciplinary and Engaged Learning
Honors grants encourage students to explore — through travel, research, professional development, or service. The goal is to ensure that every Honors student is able to access opportunities outside of the classroom that contribute to their academic, professional, or personal development. If students choose to spend their summer closer to home, grants are available for virtual or home-based experiences. For example, Honors students have used mini grants to build community gardens, learn a new language, or earn certifications. HONORS GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
in grant funding provided to Honors students over the last two years
$115,459
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RACHEL GIRVIN In summer 2023, nursing major Rachel Girvin (‘24) used an Educational Enrichment Travel Grant to support an internship at two hospitals in East Africa. Rachel assisted doctors and nurses with deliveries in a birthing center and rotated between intensive care, emergency, and surgical units to learn about different areas of care. After graduating in May, Rachel is now working to gain general nursing experience in an emergency department before moving to nurse-midwifery. NED WHITESELL An Educational Enrichment Travel Grant helped mechanical engineering major Ned Whitesell (‘25) travel to Germany for a seven-week research stay at the Institute of Hyperloop Technology at Hochschule Emden-Leer. Ned designed a new chassis for a scaled-down hyperpod test bed and conducted pressure tests on a vessel intended to protect the pod’s battery and vacuum-sensitive electronics. MADELEINE WOLFE Spanish and international health major Madeleine Wolfe used an Educational Enrichment Travel Grant to volunteer with Tierra Salud, a non-profit that brings together international volunteers, Argentinian psychology students, and individuals with disabilities to plant and harvest produce for the local community. Madeleine graduated in December 2023 and is now working as an EMT for Prisma Health as she prepares for medical school. Wherever her career takes her, she has said that she always will be involved in the betterment of her community.
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Interdisciplinary and Engaged Learning
Faculty across the University play a vital role in Honors student development, a commitment that strengthens the Clemson experience for both the student and the faculty member. More than 400 faculty engage in Honors instruction or initiatives every year. Faculty are involved in several ways, such as teaching Honors seminars, mentoring students as Dixon Senior Fellows, advising Honors students in their department, or serving as academic or research mentors. FACULTY ENGAGEMENT
SUPPORTING FACULTY RESEARCH*
50% generated scholarly/creative work or software through activities/work completed with Honors students. 18% published peer-reviewed articles on that research.
25%
55% had Honors students present work at a scientific/discipline specific conference or at an on- campus forum as a result of their Honors involvement.
generated data with Honors students that has been or will be used in a grant application.
*Feedback from respondents of the 2024 Honors Faculty survey.
Andrew Pyle Associate Professor, Communication NSP Faculty Fellow Senior Fellow, Dixon Fellows Program Interim Director, NSP (2023) 2022 Douglas W. Bradbury Award recipient
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Community Engagement
BUILDING AN HONORS COMMUNITY
90+ Honors-specific
events throughout the academic year
Honors students are part of a community on campus that nurtures friendship, support, and success. The Honors College hosted a record number of events during the academic year, focusing on professional development, opportunities to share research or summer experiences, networking, and wellness. Other programs, led by and for Honors students, are focused on helping students make the most of their Honors experience by balancing their professional goals and achievements with their personal growth. The opportunity for Honors students to live in the Honors Residential College, a nationally recognized residential college community, also gives students a uniquely Clemson Honors-focused living-learning student experience.
Honors students participated in Honors-specific co-curricular activities in the Fall 2023 semester
800 nearly
of Honors graduates say living in the Honors Residential College significantly enhanced their Clemson experience
94%
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Community Engagement
HONORS SPEAKER SERIES
The Honors Alumni Speaker Series, launched last fall, is a monthly event where alumni share their experiences and connect with students. Speakers have included: Grace Greene , Dylan Erikson , and Kerry Barrowclough , who spoke about working at the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). Grace clerked for Chief Justice Roberts, Dylan interned in the Office of the Counselor to the Chief Justice, and Kerry is the Executive Assistant to the Counselor to the Chief Justice. Casey Hancock , who started his own consulting business, co-founded a successful brewery, and worked as a research and development chemist before his current role serving as Mayor of the City of Hartsville, South Carolina. Chris Harte (Kerecis), Shannon Kay (Topline Pro), and Chris Dyer and Thomas Mumford (Undergrads.com), who are founders and leaders of multi-million dollar businesses. Dr. Joy Laskar , who co-founded four companies, wrote five textbooks, has 60 patents (issued or pending), and graduated 41 Ph.D. students. Claire Spellberg Lustig , who built a high-profile career as a television critic writing for Decider and Primetimer — publications focused on the television and entertainment industry. Alex Urban , who is the Executive Director of the TOUR Championship in Atlanta for the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA).
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PROFESSIONAL PATHS Community Engagement
By the time they graduate, Honors College students are prepared for their future.
Almost every Honors graduate — 96% of them, in fact — is pursuing additional schooling or employment immediately after their commencement ceremony. The largest employer in the Clemson Honors May 2024 graduating class was Deloitte. Other employers of our 2023-24 graduates included Microsoft, the Department of Defense, BMW, and Goldman Sachs. Of the students attending graduate school, one-third are choosing to stay at Clemson. Other students plan to study at institutions such as the University of Cambridge, Yale University, Duke University, Columbia University, and the London School of Economics. Our graduates’ legacies on campus also continue long after they leave Clemson, with six of the Roaring 10 recipients over the past two years being Honors alumni.
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Community Engagement
The Honors College, National Scholars Program, and Breakthrough Scholars Program are grateful for the generous support of several Clemson alumni and friends, including the following who donated at the $500 level or above: HONORS SUPPORTERS
Aditya Aswani Darcy Austin Ross Beppler Elizabeth Birdwell and Joshua Birdwell Barry Blackburn Ben Boone and Caitlin Boone Edith H. and James E. Bostic Jr. Matt Brennan and Katherine Brennan Maeve Budi Scott Cayouette and Monica Cayouette Steven Claypool and Tina Claypool Clarice Clemmens and Matt Clemmens Steve Cliff and Maureen Palmer Thomas Crapps and Ana Martinez Kaitlin Creighton and Edward Creighton Paul Dillingham and Heather Dillingham Marty Duckenfield Kevin Eastman Brian Eyink and Julie Edelstein Dave Foulser and Katherine Foulser Dorie Fuller and John Fuller Kris Fuller James Gallentine and Sandy Gallentine
Chris Harte and Leigh Harte Craig Healy Heather Helms William Highberger and Michelle Highberger William Hutnik Shannon Kay and Jim Sullivan Tony Mathis and Stephanie Mathis Sam Michelich Tikhon Pichai and Sharon Pichai Robert Ployhart and Lynn McFarland Lauren Schofield and John Schofield Don Shelley and Susan Shelley Christen Smith and Shane Hanlon Cindy Smith and Rob Smith Eric Thome and Eloise Thome India Vincent and Martin McKinnon III Jim Warner II and Shannon Warner Susan Watson and Jay Watson Christopher Welch Michael Wilbanks and Lori Wilbanks Clint Wilkins and Lisa Wilkins Antonio Williams and Kimberly Williams Teresa Wilson Ran Wu and Runnong Huan Donald Young and Jennifer Young
Joseph Godsey and Maria Godsey Aaron Gordon and Abigail Nolen Casey Hancock
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