Clemson School Biography

Clemson University was founded in 1889, a legacy of Thomas Green Clemson, who willed his Fort Hill plantation home, its surrounding farmlands and forest, and other property to the state of South Carolina to establish a technical and scientific institution. Today, as at its inception, Clemson University is dedicated to teaching, research and public service, and to improving the quality of life through education.

Approximately 16,500 students, including 3,800 graduate students, are enrolled at Clemson. Students may choose degree programs offered through the University's five colleges: Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; Architecture, Arts and Humanities; Business and Public Affairs; Engineering and Science; and Health, Education and Human Development. Programs leading to baccalaureate degrees in 74 fields of study and 112 graduate programs in 71 areas of study are offered.

Research is an integral part of most post-baccalaureate education, and Clemson provides research opportunities in practically all fields in which graduate instruction is offered. The institution's mandate in agriculture and natural resources, architecture, engineering, textiles, basic sciences and technologies is extended to address the state's cultural and economic needs through the health sciences, business, education and the humanities.

Clemson's 1,400-acre main campus, located in the northwestern corner of South Carolina on the shores of Lake Hartwell, is surrounded by 17,000 acres of University farms and woodlands devoted to research. Clemson is approximately two and one half hours from Atlanta, Ga., Columbia, S.C., and Charlotte, N.C., and less than an hour west of Greenville, S.C.

In addition, 12,390 acres throughout the state are devoted to research. The University also owns overseas property used for teaching and research in Genoa, Italy, at the Charles E. Daniel Center for Building Research and Urban Studies, and on the Caribbean island of Dominica at the Archbold Tropical Research Center.

For more information about Clemson University, or to schedule a tour of the campus, call the Visitors Center at 864-656-4789. For information on admission to Clemson, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Clemson University, 105 Sikes Hall, Box 345124, Clemson, S.C. 29634-5124, 864-656-2287.