FSL Pillars of the Community Award

The Pillars of the Fraternity and Sorority Community Award recognizes fraternity and sorority alumni who have made significant contributions to Clemson University, their fraternity or sorority at the local, regional, or national level, their industry, or public service.  Fraternity and Sorority Life will recognize up to six Pillars of the Fraternity and Sorority Community each year.  Nominees must not have been an undergraduate student at Clemson University in the past 10 years.  Undergraduate membership at Clemson is not required, but recipients must have made significant contributions to a local chapter or the overall FSL community.  Nominations for the third class of Pillars of the Community will open in summer 2024.

Michael Brewington ‘81 serves as the advisor for the Kappa Lambda Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He was a charter member of Clemson’s chapter in 1980 and went on to serve as regional vice president and president. As a student, he was attorney general for student government and a member of Blue Key Honor Society, Tiger Brotherhood and a University tour guide.

Rae Ann Feldner Gruver ’93 is an Alpha Delta Pi alumna and founder of the Max Gruver Foundation. She created the foundation in memory of her son’s tragic death from hazing at LSU in 2017. She serves as an advocate for prevention and awareness in hazing education in high schools and colleges. She helped push for the Stop Campus Hazing Act, federal legislation signed into law in December 2024.

John N. (Nicky) McCarter Jr. ’80 is a member of the Clemson University Board of Trustees and alum of Kappa Alpha Order (KA). He has served as a trustee since 2008 and currently holds the role of vice chair. In addition to his time in the fraternity, he was a member of the Tiger football team. He has received numerous honors from Clemson, including the Distinguished Service Award in 2019 and the Bond Distinguished Athletes Award in 2024. He received the Order of the Palmetto in 2023, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor. McCarter is also a member of the South Carolina KA Court of Honor, which recognizes alumni across the state for meritorious service to the fraternity and to their communities.

Xiomaira Mendez ’16 co-founded Clemson’s first Latin-based sorority, Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. She served as its president and as the first president of the Multicultural Greek Council. She received the Greek New Member of the Year and Presidential Spirit awards during her time at Clemson. After graduating from Clemson, she co-founded and serves as secretary of the Hispanic and Latinx Alumni Council.

Winston Fowler ‘62 is credited with founding the first social fraternity at Clemson, Sigma Alpha Zeta (now Pi Kappa Alpha) — serving as the organization’s first president. Additionally, Fowler was a member of Tiger Brotherhood, TAPS staff, Central Dance Association, student government and head cheerleader. One nominator describes Fowler as the “father of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Clemson.”

Curtis White ‘80 is a retired Clemson professor who has served as advisor for Omega Psi Phi since 1992. He served in various roles as a faculty member in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences from 1989-2010. He also served as a member of the United States Army’s Inactive Ready Reserve as a lieutenant colonel. According to one nominator, “Dr. White has demonstrated over decades an unwavering track record of excellence, dedication and commitment in support of Fraternity and Sorority Life.”

Cathy Campbell Turner M ‘76 served as assistant dean of women from 1970-78 and helped expand the sorority system during her time at Clemson. The Panhellenic Council was established during her tenure and the number of Clemson women going through Rush increased exponentially. She and her husband, Joe, have given generously over the years and in 2019 she was named Mother-of-the-Year for unique contributions to Clemson. One nominator says, “Cathy is not only a pillar; she is the foundation and the walls.”

Altheia Richardson M ’96 Ph.D. ‘21 is a former associate vice president at Clemson and previous supervisor of both Fraternity and Sorority Life and the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Richardson led the Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center for years. She currently serves as vice president and chief diversity officer at Newberry College. According to one nominator, “Dr. Richardson’s distinguished career, marked by leadership, innovation and a steadfast commitment to diversity and inclusion, makes her an exceptional candidate for this recognition.”

Joy Smith ’75 M ‘77 was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and served her alma mater for more than 30 years. Smith was associate vice president and dean of students for many years and held administrative oversight of areas such as student learning and development, student health, career servixqces and multicultural affairs. A former colleague says, “Joy was the epitome of how to be a professional in Student Affairs and was very supportive and involved with the Greek community, and a role model for all students.”

Donald McKale is a retired Clemson history professor who served as chapter advisor to Delta Tau Delta on multiple occasions. In addition to serving as DTD’s first advisor in the mid-1990s, he served the chapter in the same capacity again from 2012-19. He was a faculty member in the Department of History and Geography, receiving numerous accolades — including the Class of 1939 Award for Excellence (2006). One nominator says of McKale, “From Rush to pledging to active membership, he contributed significantly to the chapter’s growth and success.”