CUGA Handbook

History of Clemson University

Clemson University was originally founded due to the will of Thomas Green Clemson. Clemson went to the Aldridge Academy for schooling. He also studied at the Royal Paris School of Mines. Clemson University was originally the plantation estate named Fort Hill. This plantation was part of the Calhoun family estate. John C. Calhoun, Vice President of the United States under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson, resided here. His daughter, Anna Marie Calhoun married Thomas Green Clemson in the parlor of the Fort Hill home. It eventually became the Clemson’s permanent residence. They had two children who lived to adulthood, a son John Calhoun Clemson and a daughter, Floride Elizabeth Clemson-Lee. Both children died in 1871 within fourteen days of each other. The Clemson’s were left without any heirs to the plantation. The South was in ruins due to the Civil War. Thomas Green Clemson felt the only way for the South to revive itself was to educate the young men of the South in the ways of military, agriculture, and mechanics.

Clemson University was started as a land grant university. The Morrell Act of 1862 created a federal charter for land grant universities. As stated in the 1887 Hatch Act, land grant universities such as Clemson must do research. The pecan groves near Thornhill Village apartment complex were the first research project started at Clemson in 1890 by Dr. Newman. In addition to performing research, there are three areas, which must be taught at land grant institutions. They are: agriculture, mechanics (also known as engineering), and military science. The curriculum of Clemson University was, and still is, heavily scientific. However, they also take an active role in civilizing the backgrounds of cadets. Four years of history and four years of literature accomplished this. They would also read all of Shakespeare’s works. Another facet of education at land grant universities is public service. The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 proposed this. Lever was a trustee of Clemson University and US Representative. He is buried on Cemetery Hill.

Clemson Agricultural College of South Carolina began in 1893. The first class had 446 students show up to go to school. Only 280 were able to enroll for school due to academic standing. From 1893 to 1910, Clemson also ran a high school or prepatory school. One of the early strengths of Clemson was the military aspect. Due to the military standing, all of the cadets no matter age or economic status wore the same uniforms. The first class had boys ranging from not being able to afford their own shoes to the son of Governor Ben Tillman in it. Clemson abolished status and class.

From 1893-1955, Clemson had a military standing. During the first 25 years or so, Clemson remained a relatively minor institution. However, during Walter Merritt Riggs stint as president, this started to change. Riggs is also the only person to have two things named after him. Riggs Field, which now house soccer games and Riggs Hall, which is home to electrical and computer engineering. Riggs was one of the first professors of engineering at Clemson. He came from Auburn and brought several things with him: school colors (orange and purple), mascot (Tiger), and most notably, football.

Football games were at first played on Bowman Field. They later moved to what is now Riggs Field and then finally into Veterans Memorial Stadium or Death Valley. Football was first introduced in 1896. That year, three schools were played and we earned a record of 2-1. We beat Furman and Wofford but lost to the University of South Carolina, which explains many of the feelings present today. In 1897, however, we did beat USC. A rivalry began between the two schools. For the first half of the rivalry, the game was always played as part of the State Fair. The game was played on “Big Thursday.” If Clemson won, the cadets would have leave until Monday. If Clemson lost, the boys would strike camp and head back to Clemson on the midnight train for classes on Friday. Other sports appeared which was very important in making Clemson’s name for itself.

Central to life of students at Clemson were the living areas. Until 1965, all students lived on campus. The faculty and staff also lived on campus during the early years. Their families were also very involved in activities on and around campus. All of the old original buildings followed certain patterns. They were named for trustees, especially residential halls. Classrooms were generally named for professors. The main buildings were reserved for big name people who made significant contributions to Clemson.

As far as the governing body of Clemson, a Board of Trustees watches over the University. There are thirteen trustees in all. Seven are life Trustees. Up to six may be appointed by the state of South Carolina. The system is set up to create a barrier from politics and help ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of Clemson University. Clemson University was the first school in South Carolina to be racially integrated. The process was relatively peaceful due to the president at the time, Robert Cook Edwards. Harvey Gantt became the first black man admitted into Clemson into the architecture department.

Some dates to remember: 1896 was the first graduating class, 1955 was the admittance of women to the University, and 1963 was the integration of minorities to the University.