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The Glenn Family

A $5 million gift from a civil engineering alumnus and his wife will help Clemson University address one of the largest problems the nation faces in the 21st century: the rebuilding of America’s infrastructure.The Glenns

"Whatever the future may hold, it is certain the coming decades will require unparalleled talent and expertise in engineering and construction across the spectrum — from energy and transportation to housing and manufacturing," said Gerald M. Glenn, a 1964 Clemson alumnus and former executive of international engineering firms. "We are honored to be able to participate in this way in the development of the next generation of engineers."

The unrestricted gift from Gerald and Candice W. Glenn is the largest gift from an alumnus in Clemson's The Will to Lead capital campaign to raise $600 million to support students and faculty with scholarships, professorships, facilities, technology and enhanced opportunities for learning and research. The gift also provides for the first-named department in the campaign. The department from which Glenn graduated will bear his name.

Gerald served as chairman, president and CEO of the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company B.V., a multinational engineering, procurement and construction company. He previously was a director of Fluor Corp. and a group president of its primary subsidiary, Fluor Daniel Inc.

An attorney, Candice is a graduate of the University of California-Irvine and Southwestern Law School.

"It is critical that Clemson build on its strengths in engineering and science to meet the needs of our economy and our nation. Our experience in sustainable and resilient infrastructure is a key," Glenn said. "Clemson is in a unique position to prepare our engineering students for a role of leading a cooperative environment with construction, manufacturing, materials, environment and management in the coming decades. We are proud to contribute to the continuing advancement of civil engineering at Clemson toward reaching its rightful leadership position."

The Glenns make philanthropy a priority. Gerald serves as vice chairman of The John Cooper School in The Woodlands, Texas, and is on the board of the Montgomery County Women’s Center and St. Luke’s Hospital. Candice served as chairman of the board and was instrumental in rebuilding the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, a 16,000-seat outdoor amphitheater north of Houston, after it was severely damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008. She was recently recognized as a Hometown Hero in The Woodlands.

The Glenns have chaired the Heart Ball fundraiser in Chicago and The Woodlands, and Gerald chaired the metropolitan Chicago board of directors of the American Heart Association. Gerald serves on the President’s Advisory Board at Clemson.

The Glenns live in The Woodlands. They have two sons. Mike and Charlie are both Clemson civil engineering graduates and Gerald’s daughter, Gina, is director of operations for Homes & Land magazine.