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Meet a Tiger: Joe Todd
Brian O’Rourke: When you look at volunteer leadership, Joe Todd is an outstanding example.
Since he graduated he’s been active in annual giving and then he said I’ve also got to
get involved, and so he’s very active in the Clemson Club. Lead at golf tournament,
lead at spring meetings, which lead his service to the Alumni Association and ultimately up
to president of the board.
Joe Todd: Hi, I’m Joe Todd from Greenville, SC. I was born and raised in Clemson, graduated
in Industrial Management in 1979, came back and got a Masters in Industrial Management
in 1983. My father was a member of the faculty and taught there for 35 years. I had great
memories of my childhood growing up in and living in one of the duplexes there on Daniel
Drive and experiencing things like farm week and seeing the rats come in and getting their
heads shaved and wearing the rat hats. My dad would take me to basketball games, so
seeing the, you know basketball teams from the mid 60s and Jim Southerland, Pete Ayoob,
and the Mahaffey brothers playing Fike Fieldhouse those were some very exciting games to watch
in that packed little gym.
Wil Brasington: One of the first most important things about Joe that helps him be a great
leader or just a great person to spend time with is that he’s fun to be around, people
like to be with Joe and apart of the things that Joe’s involved in.
Joe Todd: People I met through Tiger Brotherhood and Blue Key and from my fraternity all I
think inspired me to take a more active role in leadership and also giving back.
Brian: The reason that Joe Todd gives back is because when he was here on campus, he
realized the importance of Somebody else did something for me. And I’m having the great
experience because people invested before me.
Joe: At Clemson, you get to experience a lot of things that are not there because of your
tuition, but are there because of the generosity of others. So that was something I think I
took away from my college experience and said I really want to stay involved when I get
out and make a lifetime commitment of supporting Clemson. In the past couple of decades, we’ve
really seen a real shift to doing some very unique thought leadership type things whether
its ICAR, whether its Advanced materials campus, whether its other programs; really taking
a leadership role in terms of the state of South Carolina for economic development. I
think there’s no greater entity in the state that’s doing more for our state in terms
of bringing new industry in to bringing/delivering high quality graduates for the work force,
really really positive about what Clemson is doing in that regard. One thing I’ve
always felt about Clemson it’s not a four-year experience it is truly a lifetime experience.
The bond that Clemson people have for each other, whether attending the same class or
the same decade or not is there you’ll see it. The network there is phenomenal; I used
to say its ok to talk bad about my mama, just don’t talk bad about Clemson and I still
feel that way.
Wil: Someone that’s always willing to step forward, raise their hand, and lead the charge
or get in line to do whatever it takes to help Clemson. And those are, and that’s
an essential trait.
Brian: Joe took the effort to get engaged and when you do that, you get a feeling of
excitement and because you’re really a part of something. And Joe has made a difference
at Clemson University; we’re a better school today because he got engaged.
Joe: I think its incumbent upon everyone who’s ever had family members or personally been
impacted by a positive experience at Clemson University that they give back. Whatever they
can give back, whether its financially, whether its in their time and talents to keep Clemson
live and vibrant for this community, this region and the country.