CLEMSON – Clemson University’s academic year will officially begin at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 20, during the University Convocation in Littlejohn Coliseum. Freshman, transfer and graduate students, faculty and staff and community members are invited to the ceremony and to hear remarks from Thomas (Tom) F. Chapman (‘65), retired chairman and chief executive officer of Equifax Inc., and Clemson President James P. Clements.
This is the second year the university is taking a revised approach to convocation, bringing the campus together in one location. Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Robert Jones and Almeda Jacks, vice president of Student Affairs, will also give remarks during the ceremony.
Chapman holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Clemson and is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Program in Harvard University’s Graduate School of Business. He and his family have a long history of giving back to the community and have greatly impacted many organizations.
At Clemson, Chapman was a two-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference pitcher and a member of Tiger Brotherhood and the Block C Club. Upon graduation, Chapman played professional baseball in the Philadelphia Phillies organization until April 1968, when his Army Reserve unit was activated and deployed to Vietnam, where he served with distinction. Over the past four decades, Chapman has served as both a business and community leader.
Students will begin convocation day at 8:30 a.m. with orientation events across campus. Faculty are invited to a General Faculty meeting at 9 a.m. at Littlejohn Coliseum followed by a faculty reception at the Coliseum Club prior to the start of convocation.