Dana Anderson plans events to keep the Clemson Family united

June 2008

Dana Anderson is expecting 700 of her closest friends this week for dinner. And they are staying for breakfast, lunch, sightseeing and all sorts of special events she has planned just for them.

As director of reunion and special events for the past 18 months, Anderson has quickly become captivated by the Clemson family and its history and traditions.

Reunion 2008 will honor the Class of 1958, who will be inducted into the Golden Tiger Society. The Classes of ’38, ’48, ’68 and several in between will also convene for the festivities June 12-14. The Class of ’39 meets every year without fail.

Of her second June reunion, Anderson says, “it’s like parenthood -- nothing can prepare you for the pace or the joys.”

But it is obvious she delights in the effort. “I just love the older alumni and they love Clemson,” says Anderson, noting the wonderful stories they have to tell. Without hesitation, she names a few who have been particularly inspiring: “Ben Skardon (’38), Tee Senn (’39) and the late Cecil Godley (’43), who died in November 2007.

According to Anderson, there are always a few alumni at reunion who haven’t been back since graduation. You can imagine the culture shock they must experience.

Class representatives who helped plan Reunion 2008 specifically asked for a tour of CU-ICAR this year. Attendees will also have tours of the Clemson Experimental Forest and recent improvements to Woodland Cemetery. Vice President Chris Przirembel will report on current research and economic development initiatives. An update on Clemson athletics is always on the reunion agenda.

Anderson relocated to Clemson two years ago and is married to long-time Clemson faculty member Joe Culin. Previously she spent 10 years in administration at the University of Delaware and 10 years in development and alumni relations at a private K-12 school, also in Delaware.

When you come from “The First State,” even South Carolina is a big adjustment. “Delaware has only three counties,” says Anderson. “I knew all the ZIP codes.”

While the June reunion is a major focus for alumni relations, Anderson is kept busy the rest of the year planning and facilitating other gatherings of alumni. “We are adding reunions for younger alumni at other times of the year,” she says. Their interests vary, but Anderson says the primary reason for separate events is the size of more recent classes. “We max out the seating capacity of the Madren Center.”

Clemson has also had success with reunions of special-interest groups, such as the Senior Platoon, the Jungaleers Dance Orchestra and the annual Black Alumni Council tailgate party.

Last October Anderson helped John Seketa, assistant athletic director for event promotions, plan a Spirit Reunion for former cheerleaders, mascots and Rally Cats. The Homecoming-weekend event drew a great crowd of spirited alumni, of course.

“We are working on a template to help other groups organize reunions,” says Anderson. She envisions future gatherings of club members, intramural team members, and residence hall friends – any group with a common bond and a love of Clemson.

But this week, she is getting ready for Clemson’s primary reunion, where memories will be relived and lost classmates will be mourned, again. “The military heritage of Clemson is very special to these older alumni,” says Anderson, who admits to goose bumps when she hears their stories and observes their commitment to Clemson. “It is a wonderful legacy,” she says, “and it continues.”

Anderson says she proudly sings the Clemson Alma Mater in solidarity with these alumni she cherishes. “We have a 93-year-old driving from Maryland this week for reunion,” she says. “Last year a gentleman from Williston, the only attendee from his group, posed for a class photo of one.”

What more can you say about these special graduates of a very special school?

Read more about Reunion 2008 and the Clemson Alumni Association.

 
Beth Jarrard, public information director for internal communications, can be reached at Inside@clemson.edu or (864) 656-3860.