Clemson University Names UGA Provost Benjamin Ayers as Next President

The Clemson University Board of Trustees unanimously selected Dr. Benjamin C. Ayers to serve as the university’s next president. The appointment, confirmed during a meeting on Thursday morning, follows a period of administrative uncertainty after a previously selected candidate withdrew from the position. Dr. Ayers is scheduled to assume the presidency on Aug. 1 under a five-year contract.

Background and Professional Experience

Dr. Ayers currently serves as the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at the University of Georgia (UGA). In his current role, he oversees the university’s academic enterprise, which encompasses 20 schools and colleges, as well as instruction, research, public service, outreach, information technology, and various offices supporting faculty, graduate education, global engagement, and libraries.

Before his tenure as provost, Ayers served for 11 years as the dean of the Terry College of Business at UGA. During that time, he oversaw the expansion of academic offerings, increased undergraduate and graduate enrollment, and directed a fundraising campaign that secured over $300 million in private support for facilities, scholarships, and academic programs. Prior to his deanship, he led the J.M. Tull School of Accounting for nine years and joined the UGA faculty in 1996 as an assistant professor.

Ayers’ academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in taxation from the University of Alabama, followed by a doctorate in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. Before transitioning into academia, he held positions in the private sector with KPMG and Complete Health Inc. He has also served as president of the American Taxation Association.

Recent Leadership Initiatives at UGA

According to information provided by Clemson, Ayers’ leadership at the University of Georgia has been characterized by academic growth and innovation. Key milestones during his time as provost include:

* Institutional Growth: The launch of a new School of Medicine and the establishment of the Victoria Kay Ivester School of Nursing.
* Research Milestones: Overseeing a research and innovation enterprise that achieved a No. 1 ranking among U.S. universities for bringing new products to market.
* Global Engagement: Expanding study abroad opportunities to rank the university among the nation’s top five public institutions for student participation.

Transition Following Presidential Search Challenges

The selection of Dr. Ayers comes shortly after Clemson faced a sudden vacancy in its presidential transition. In May, the Board of Trustees had selected Kevin Guskiewicz, the president of Michigan State University, to lead the institution. However, university officials were notified on Monday that Guskiewicz would remain at Michigan State for personal reasons.

Guskiewicz’s decision to stay at Michigan State followed negotiations for a new contract with his current employer, which reportedly includes a base salary of $1.5 million, increased deferred compensation, and a transportation benefit providing for personal aircraft use.

The search for a new leader at Clemson began after the sudden retirement of former president Jim Clements late last year. With the academic year approaching in roughly 40 days, the appointment of Dr. Ayers provides the university with a confirmed successor to lead the institution.

Statement on the Appointment

In a statement following his selection, Dr. Ayers expressed his commitment to the university’s mission. “It is a tremendous honor to be selected to serve as the next president of Clemson University,” Ayers said. “I am grateful to the Board of Trustees and the search committee for its confidence and humbled by the opportunity to join the Clemson Family.”

He added that he intends to focus on the university’s established strengths, stating, “Clemson’s tradition of excellence, its commitment to students and its impact through teaching, research and service make it one of the nation’s most respected public universities. I look forward to working alongside our students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters to build upon the strong foundation and shape an even brighter future together.”

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