Welcome to the Board of Visitors

The Board of Trustees established the Board of Visitors to serve as goodwill Ambassadors of Clemson University, assist the University with its efforts to accomplish its mission, promote its attributes in a positive manner and to assist President Barker with any special projects. The Board of Visitors consists of about 50 members from across the state and nation.

In order to be prepared to accomplish our mission, the Board of Visitors has two meetings per year at Clemson.  The meetings are conducted over a two day period with the first day consisting of information on the current state of affairs, the highlights of the University programs, any special activities that are currently underway and progress the University is making with previously discussed programs  After hearing talks from President Barker, various Vice Presidents, department heads and anyone making a positive difference at Clemson, the Board enjoys lunch with the students at one of the campus cafeterias.  This is followed by tours of some of the colleges or departments to get a first hand look at their activities and accomplishments.  The second day of meetings involves more presentations, but is involved mainly with the committee meetings of the Board itself.

The committees of the Board of Visitors are the Legislative Committee, the Marketing Committee and the Student Affairs Committee.  The Legislative Committee activities focus on an annual visit to Columbia to meet with various legislators, being introduced to the House and Senate and entertaining legislators at a reception.  These members also visit Washington to meet our federal delegation from South Carolina and Atlanta Ga. The Marketing Committee strives to help the University and its programs to be more visible. Its most important project in cooperation with the Alumni Association is that of hosting high school receptions in various cities over South Carolina for outstanding seniors that have shown an interest in Clemson.  The Student Affairs Committee meets with students and student advisors to assist and support various student activities.

Once each year, the Board of Visitors visits another ACC school to review their programs.  This is a valuable learning experience and a chance to see the great group of universities with which we are associated.  We also enjoy the football game the next day!  We have visited Boston College, University of North Carolina, North Carolina State, Wake Forest, University of Virginia, Georgia Tech and Florida State.  This year the Board will visit the University of Maryland.

It is an honor and privilege and very enjoyable to be a part of the Board of Visitors.  It is very rewarding to be able to help the University in its goal to become a "Top 20" school.  Please contact one of the members if you have any questions about the Board or if you know of an area that we can be a service to our great University.


GO TIGERS!!!

Tom B. LaRoche
Class of 1962
Chairman of the Board, 2009-2010