NEW PERSPECTIVES AND DIRECTIONS
This year, we celebrate the graduation of the 2020 scholar cohort. They began their time at Clemson near the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The National Scholars Program strives 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.
survivors and her advocacy for cancer research. Shannon Kay (‘16) and Lauren Trondsen (’12) were recognized as Outstanding Young Alumni by the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences. We also welcomed six NSP alumni and one NSP parent back to campus as speakers in the inaugural year of the Honors College’s Alumni Speaker Series. Looking forward, we see an exciting future. This spring, we welcomed a new Director of Scholarship Programs to oversee the strategic direction of the National Scholars Program. We are also excited to welcome Dr. Kyle Barrett as our newest faculty fellow for the incoming cohort. He will teach a first- year seminar entitled “Ecology of the City” to our incoming class of first-year National Scholars and provide continuing support and mentorship for our newest cohort throughout their four years at Clemson. Finally, we are excited to welcome our incoming class of 11 scholars. The newest members of our community come from across the United States, and we are thrilled to welcome our first National Scholar from Brazil. As always, our National Scholars community continues to exemplify the best of Clemson University.
For most of this cohort, their NSP first-year seminar was the only class that met in-person for their first semester of college; a glimmer of normalcy in an uncertain and ever-changing world. Despite the challenges that this cohort faced transitioning through various COVID protocols, they have thrived as National Scholars. They have become Norris Medalists, Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award winners, Marshall Scholarship semifinalists, finalists for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, and Fulbright grantees, in addition to the numerous other awards they received.We send them off to Paris, Prague, and London; to Rice University and UT Austin; and to Microsoft and other companies. Beyond our graduating class, we had much to celebrate this year. Elizabeth Caldwell (’25) was selected as a Truman Scholar in recognition and support of her advocacy for disability issues and her work to improve accessibility around campus and beyond. Elizabeth was
recognized at the spring Board of Trustees meeting where President
Clements surprised her with the news of her selection. Our alumni also had an outstanding year. Dr. Brittany McKelvey (‘15) received the Roaring10 Award from the Clemson Alumni Association in recognition of her work with cancer
Garrett Fontenot, Ph.D. Kris Fuller, M.S., M.S. Ed. Alejandro Mejia-Tejada
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