About Us

The Madren Center

Clyde V. Madren, whom the conference center is named after, was president and owner of Madren Paint Company for 45 years. The business began as a small retail shop selling national brands of paint in Charleston, SC. By the time he retired, the company occupied a four- story building on Meeting Street and manufactured and distributed its own brand of paint. Madren, who passed away in June 1994, was a firm believer in the importance of education. He attributed his success to learning all he could about the business. “Life’s sort of like painting. You have to prepare the surface properly before the paint goes on to make it stick. I see education as that preparation.” Although he did not attend Clemson, he fell in love with the campus while attending football games. The Madren Center was named for Mr. Madren for his benevolent support of Clemson University and this Complex. In addition to supporting the conference center, Clyde Madren also established three scholarships to support Civil Engineering students.