By Rick Spruill
Tuesday, November 18, 2008

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY — Clemson University President James Barker was upbeat when delivering his State of the University Address to students and faculty Tuesday night.

Speaking before an overflow audience at the Strom J. Thurmond Institute, Barker reiterated Clemson’s goal of becoming a top 20 public university, in spite of a $26 million reduction in state funding and anemic donor support in a slumping economy.

“Clemson has never been better or stronger,” Barker said to open his presentation, which was a series of slides packed with key economic and demographic data. Chief among Barker’s talking points was Clemson’s current standing as the nation’s 22nd best public university, according to the U.S. News and World Report.

Barker, Clemson’s 14th president and a 1970 graduate of the university’s architectural school, said even though the school faces additional funding restrictions over and above the $26 million already in place, the goal of his five-year plan remains unchanged.

“Our challenge will be to maintain momentum in a time of national economic uncertainty. For us, this poses a unique challenge,” Barker said.

Undergraduate Student Body President Callie Boyd, who was the opening speaker for the event Tuesday, was forthright about her concern for the future of every Clemson student.

“Clemson University is in a state of flux,” Boyd said.

“South Carolina can no longer afford to depend on the textile mills as the backbone of our economy,” the Greenville native added.

Graduate President Jason Schwier echoed Boyd’s sentiment, calling on Clemson’s leaders to follow the example set by student government in finding solutions to the current economic challenges.

“We must resolve our current issues, but not at the expense of future Tigers,” Schwier said Tuesday.

The doctoral candidate in computer engineering suggested that Barker appoint task forces to develop and implement viable solutions.

“I call upon all graduate students to work with our university. It is incumbent on us to be a reasonable voice in a time of emotion,” Schwier said.