Tigers for Integrity, Discourse, and Ethics Conference

2026 Theme: Clemson Tigers – Fulfilling Our Mission One Decision At A Time

Monday, March 30th - Tuesday, March 31st, 2026

The Rutland Institute’s TIDE Conference seeks to inform participants of ethical dilemmas in order to promote discourse and cultivate integrity as it relates to specific academic disciplines and to move participants to address those dilemmas. The conference will critically examine how integrity and discourse intersect, diverge, and create a more just society and a university culture that promotes fairness and respect.

2026 Conference Schedule


Monday, March 30, 2026
Keynote Address - 5:30 - 6:00 pm
Time	Speaker	Title	Location
5:30 pm	Otis Pickett, Ph.D. University Historian Clemson University	Understanding and Embracing the Intersectionality of High Seminary Learning and Ethical Leadership	Hardin Hall Auditorium Room 100 & Virtually via Zoom
Breakout Session 1 - 6:10 to 7:00 pm
Session 1A	Birma Gainor, Ph.D., HSPP Senior Director Counseling and Psychological Services Clemson University	*When Troubles Rise: Maintaining Good Mental Health Through Adversity*	Hardin Hall Room 235
Session 1B	Nathan McNeese, Ph.D. McQueen Quattlebaum Endowed Associate Professor Human-Centered Computing Clemson University	*Why A.I. Misses The Mark…But Still Gets Us Where We Want To Go*	Hardin Hall Room 228
Breakout Session 2 - 7:10 to 8:00 pm
Session 2A	Jack Lyle & Enid McDonald Clemson College Republicans Clemson College Democrats *Note this will be an extended session from 7:10 to 8:45 pm	Bridging the Gap with Understanding: Political Perspectives From Student Voices	Hardin Hall Room 201
Session 2B	O'Neil Burton Executive Director Center for Career and Professional Development Clemson University	*Interviewing Do’s And Don’ts: Looking For Employment Through An Ethical Lens*	Hardin Hall Room 233
Tuesday, March 31st, 2026
Keynote Address - 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Time	Speaker(s)	Title	Location
Keynote	Jeff Duckworth President of U.S. Distribution Manulife John Hancock Investments	*Embracing Ethical Leadership In A Time of Uncertainty – Part I*	Hardin Hall Auditorium Room 100 & Virtually via Zoom
Breakout Session 3 - 6:10 to 7:00 pm
Session 3A	Jeff Duckworth President of U.S. Distribution Manulife John Hancock Investments	*Embracing Ethical Leadership In A Time of Uncertainty – Part II*	Hardin Hall Room 235
Session 3B	Dr. Lisa Thomas Smith Lecturer, Department of Philosophy Clemson University	*Avoiding The Cultism of Politicalization: The Oxymoron of Being Opinionated But Neutral*	Hardin Hall Room 201
Breakout Session 4 - 7:10 to 8:00 pm
Session 4A	CHANGE Student Ethics Committee Clemson University *Note this will be an extended session from 7:10 to 8:45 pm	Clemson Trivia Night	Hardin Hall Auditorium Room 100
Session 4B	Tessa Byers University Ombuds Clemson University	*Dealing With Roommate Challenges The Right Way*	Hardin Hall Room 228