Clemson Class of 1960 to cut ribbon on North Green project Friday

Published: June 10, 2010

The Class of 1960 North Green, as seen from above. image by: Clemson University

CLEMSON — Members of Clemson University’s Class of 1960 will gather to cut the ribbon and celebrate completion of the Class of 1960 North Green, at 10:45 a.m. Friday, June 11.

The class raised $674,000 to landscape the green space between the Carillon Garden and the Outdoor Theater.

The Class of 1960 North Green features a terraced green that steps down from the Carillon Garden toward the Outdoor Theater and reflection pond. The site includes new sidewalks, lighting, benches and improved access routes to the area, which will make it easier to move equipment in and out for events.

The project highlights some major milestones in Clemson’s history that happened in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The top of the green features the Transition Monument, which tells the story of four major transitions that took place during this time period: the transition from a military school to a civilian school, the transition from a male school to a co-educational school, the transition from college to a university and the transition from an all-white student body to an integrated one.

“These four transitions are an important part of Clemson’s history and serve as the base for Clemson to continue to be challenged to become one of America’s top-20 public institutions,” said Luther Bigby, Class of 1960 reunion president. “As part of our 50^th reunion class gift, we want to ensure that these transitions are remembered.”

The project was given in honor of the late R.C. Edwards, who was Clemson’s eighth president from 1958 to 1979 and led the institution through the transitions featured on the monument.

“Our class became President Edwards’ first — and we believe his best — senior class,” said Bigby. “Our class developed a close relationship with President Edwards and we ‘adopted’ him as ‘our’ president. His name is affixed to our diplomas, and we have affixed his name to this Transition Monument as a testament to his leadership in transforming Clemson University through these transitions.”

“The Class of 1960 was one of the first classes to celebrate its 25^th reunion with a class gift. It established the Class of 1960 Silver Anniversary Endowment, an award that provides an annual stipend for a deserving faculty member,” said Brian O’Rourke, director of development and alumni affairs. “We are grateful for the continued support of the members of this class, who have long been leaders for Clemson.”

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