Order of the Oak
IMPACT STORIES
Click below to explore some of the inspiring stories of our CUF Order of the Oak Ambassadors and see their impact in action through a recap of one of the events they lead.
Watch Stories Watch Impact in ActionPURPOSE STATEMENT
Under a large oak tree on the grounds of Fort Hill, Clemson University began with a meeting of the original seven Trustees in whom Thomas Green Clemson entrusted the fulfillment of his vision for the establishment of a high seminary of learning, which he described as “the one great desire of my life.” Inspired by that seminal moment in the University’s past, the Clemson University Foundation is inviting a select group of Clemson’s most trusted supporters and advocates to form the Order of the Oak to provide wisdom, guidance and momentum as the Foundation charts its course for helping the University enhance its ability to accomplish its land-grant mission in the 21st century and meet the changes and challenges of the future.
VISION
Clemson University Foundation’s Order of the Oak will be strong advocates for Clemson University and will engage in philanthropic efforts to support Clemson University’s long-term goals.
MISSION
Clemson University Foundation’s Order of the Oak shall advocate for Clemson University while actively engaging in identifying, cultivating and building support for the benefit of Clemson, under the direction of Development and Alumni Relations. The Order of the Oak supports Clemson University as proactive ambassadors, meeting the changes and challenges of the future while fulfilling the University’s land-grant mission.
AMBASSADORS
Brent Beason ’03
CEO & President
B&W Fiber Glass Inc.
Charlotte, NC
Phil Bradley ’65
Owner (Retired)
Allstate Insurance Agency
Charleston, SC
Marshall Brown, ’82, PhD ’88 and Cindra Brown ’86
Founder, Majority Owner, and CEO, ACM Chemistries, Inc.
Owner (Retired), Cindra Brown & Associates
Berkeley Lake, GA
Chris Chase '91 and Shannon Chase ’91
Sales Manager (Retired)
NVIDIA
Greenville, SC
MICHAEL ’91 AND BETH ’93 COAKLEY
Co-President
C.J. Coakley Company Inc.
Arlington, VA
John DuPre ’80 and Patsy DuPre ’80
Independent Contractor (Retired), Exxon Mobil Corporation
Pro Sales Representative (Retired), Smithkline Beecham Foundation
Hendersonville, NC
Johnny Evans ’75
President and CEO
C.F. Evans Construction
Cameron, SC
Dan Garrison ’72
Senior Vice President of Sales (Retired)
Service Corporation International
Cypress, TX
Dr. John Gilpin ’82
Diagnostic Radiologist (Retired)
Prisma
Greenville, SC
Gerald Glenn ’64
Chairman, President and CEO
Chicago Bridge and Iron
Spring, TX
Bob Hambright ’70
Executive in Residence
Whitehead Associates, Inc.
Blowing Rock, NC
Bob Jordan
Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer
Chicago Bridge & Iron
Greenville, SC
Jim Kaplan ’87 and Julee Kaplan
President (Retired), Cornell Dubilier Electronics
Owner, Trillium Life Coaching
Pickens, SC
Allen Martin ’69
Co-founder
The Livingston Group
Vienna, VA
Tony Mathis ’86
President and CEO of Military Systems Operations
GE Aviation (Retired)
Chapin, SC
Albert McAlister
Attorney
McAlister & McAlister PA
Laurens, SC
Dr. Joe McElwee ’82 and Sheryl McElwee
Family medicine, Anmed Primary Care
Pharmacist (Retired), Harris Psychiatric Hospital
Anderson, SC
JIM AND SIOBHAN MORRISEY
Vice President, JDM Materials Co.
President and Owner, Eureka Stone Quarry, INC
Huntingdon Valley, PA
Mark "Moose" Phillips
Partner and Trial Attorney
Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough LLP
Charleston, SC
Mitch Norville ’80
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Boston Properties Inc.
Kiawah, SC
Bill Pelham ’77
President
Pelham Architects, LLC
Greenville, SC
Gretchen Penney ’83
Co-led (Retired)
McKellar and Associates Architects
Charleston, SC
Bart Proctor, HA '22
CEO and Managing Partner
Pye-Barker Fire and Safety
Sullivans Island, SC
Paul Shaw ’83 and Precia Shaw
President
HealthPro Heritage
Greenville, SC
Brad ’82 and Lyle Smith
Founding Principle
McMillan, Pazdan, Smith Architecture
Greenville, SC
Brook Smith ’89
President
Smith Manus
Louisville, KY
Kenneth Smith ’81
Board Member, Executive Advisor, Chief Executive Officer (Retired)
HEPACO, LLC
Greer, SC
Bob Stanzione ’69
Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Directors (Retired)
ARRIS Group
Alpharetta, Georgia
Sharon Struthers ’81
Board of Directors - Vice President, Philanthropist
Faithful Friends Animal Society
Royal Oak, MD
JIMMY ’86 AND TONI ’86 TALTON
Principal and Financial Advisor
CAPTRUST
Raleigh, NC
Emily Wallace ’72
Senior Director of the Knowledge Management Center (Retired)
SAS Institute Inc.
Cary, NC
Mike Watt '84 and Kim Watt ’85
Chief Executive Officer
Scientific Research Corporation
Kennesaw, GA
Steve Watt '81 and Pam Watt ’83
Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer
Scientific Research Corporation
Kennesaw, GA
Amy Yoder HA '24
Chief Executive Officer
Global Crop Solutions
Ocala, FL