Clemson University’s Board of Trustees unanimously selected Benjamin C. Ayers as the university’s next president on Thursday. He will assume the presidency on Aug. 1, giving the Clemson Family a new leader before the fall term begins.
Benjamin C. Ayers on Clemson
Ayers said the appointment is “a tremendous honor” and that he is grateful to the Board of Trustees and the search committee for their confidence. He added, “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.”
That message gives Clemson students, faculty and staff a clear transition point: the university has named its next president and set the date when leadership changes hands. Ayers is moving from the University of Georgia, where he serves as senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.
University of Georgia record
Before becoming UGA’s provost, Ayers served for 11 years as dean of the Terry College of Business. As UGA’s chief academic officer, he oversees the academic enterprise, including its 20 schools and colleges, along with instruction, research, public service and outreach, information technology and the offices supporting faculty, graduate education, global engagement and libraries.
Under Ayers’s leadership as provost, UGA launched a new School of Medicine and established the Victoria Kay Ivester School of Nursing. The university also expanded study abroad participation to rank among the nation’s top five public universities and reached a No. 1 ranking among U.S. universities for bringing new products to market.
Board of Trustees selection
Trustee Cheri Phyfer said Ayers brings “a wealth of experience in all levels of academia and vast relationships with the private sector.” She said he impressed the committee with “candor, integrity and genuine enthusiasm for Clemson University,” and noted that his experience spans assistant professor to department chair, dean and provost.
Board Chair Kim Wilkerson called Ayers “an accomplished scholar and collaborative leader” and said his record shows “a deep commitment to academic excellence, student success and institutional advancement.” Wilkerson added that the board is confident he is the right leader to build on Clemson’s momentum and guide the university into its next chapter.
For Clemson, the practical effect is immediate: the university now has a designated president in place before Aug. 1, and the handoff is set to move from search to administration. The remaining question is how Ayers will set priorities once he takes over, after arriving with a record built across teaching, business-school leadership and central academic administration.
