Dear Clemson Student:

This year, we welcome the "last of the 80s" -- a freshman class that was born in 1989 or later.  You have grown up with social networking on the internet, music downloads, cell phone cameras and text messaging.  These are technologies that we could only imagine a few years ago.

The world, to you, is a smaller, more accessible place than it was to older generations.  Yet, if this is your first experience living away from home, Clemson University may seem like a big place.  It's not.  Every individual is important in the Clemson Family.

Clemson is really a small, close-knit community.  Everyone here cares about you, your education and your future success as a person.  Take advantage of every opportunity to learn, to explore and to grow, in your classes and in your extra curricular activities.

At Clemson, teachers educate, counsel and inspire students and students educate, counsel and inspire teachers.

My family and I live on campus and we will be a part of your rich life as a Clemson student for the next few years.  We hope you will explore our university's rich traditions and history while helping us create her future.

This fall, Clemson enters a new era -- yours!  I look forward to getting to know you, and to our journey together.

Sincerely,

James F. Barker, FAIA

President

Clemson University