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Electrician Contractor in Clemson, SC

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We Keep Clemson Shining Bright

Electricity - it's one of the most important innovations in the history of humankind. It's hard to imagine life without electricity, and for good reason. Nearly every aspect of our lives is affected by electricity in some form or fashion, from the way you wash your clothes to the effort you put in at work. From a residential standpoint, you need it to cook, clean, entertain, and live comfortably. For commercial purposes, electricity is used to power the computers needed to keep America moving. That's why, when the electricity in your home or at your job is compromised, life grinds to a halt. Unfortunately, electrical problems are inevitable in today's day and age. When the electricity in your home or commercial workspace fails, you need a quick, effective solution that will get your life back on track. And that, in a nutshell, is where L&M Electric, Inc. shines the brightest.

Our company was founded in 2009 by Roger Lee and John Mezzles. With a combined 46 years of electrical experience, the two entrepreneurs set out to create a company that offers quality workmanship and unparalleled service to all its builders and clients. Today, we are proud to have served South Carolina for nearly two decades as the premier electrician contractor in Clemson, SC. Our family-owned business specializes in both residential and commercial electrical work. Our highly-trained team has the experience and skills to handle any electrical issue, from minor panel breaker problems to large-scale industrial issues.

Despite winning numerous awards and recognitions in the Southeast, we don't let our accolades go to our head. Our team is committed to providing effective, personalized electrical work for every one of our customers. We take pride in our ability to offer peace of mind to our customers when they need it most, and that's exactly what we aim to provide to you too. We're talking one-on-one service provided by a friendly, professional electrician. There are no corners cut, no hidden fees, and no excuses - only the highest quality work from the finest electricians in Clemson.

Service Areas

Special Offer!

$99 Electrical Home Safety Inspection

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What sets us apart from other electricians in Clemson, SC? It boils down to three reasons:
Customer-Centric, Quality Electric Service
Customer-Centric, Quality Electric Service

As guests in your home, you won't ever have to worry about a member of our team trying to sell you something you don't need. Our job is to serve your electrical needs. You expect the highest quality electrical work in South Carolina, and that's what we will provide.

Experienced, Affordable Electricians
Experienced, Affordable Electricians

You understand that the highest quality work requires fair compensation, but you're not made of money. Our commitment is to offer affordable electric work at a price you're satisfied paying.

Family Owned & Operated
Family Owned & Operated

We know that you are choosing L&M Electric for a reason. Unlike large corporations, we truly care about our customers. As a family business, serving you is personal for us. We stake our reputation on the quality of our work. As such, we are accountable and will always strive to deliver the service you have come to expect from our company.

Affordable Electric Service That Makes You Feel Like Family

At L&M Electric, we employ the brightest commercial and residential electricians in Clemson. Having electricians that specialize in both residential and commercial projects allow us to provide our customers with a wider range of services.

Our team fixes a broad range of electrical issues, but we have built our reputation on the following electric services:

 Smart Home Electrician Clemson, SC

Electrical Repairs

Every homeowner has to deal with an electrical component breaking or failing at some point. When that happens, you need a partner who can troubleshoot the problem and correct the issue efficiently and effectively. A few common problems that we help solve for our customers include:

  • Ceiling Fan Repair
  • Light Fixture Repair
  • Light Switch & Outlet Repair
  • Electrical Safety Inspection
 Smart Home Installation Clemson, SC

Electrical Installations

Whether you have a new ceiling fan that needs to be installed or you have a new electrical outlet that you'd like added to your bedroom, L&M Electric is here to help. Our team installs quality solutions every day of the week - there's no electrical installation job your residential electrician in Clemson, SC, can't handle. Here is a glance at some of the installation projects that we complete for homeowners:

  • Smart Home Installation
  • Electric Car Charging Station Installation
  • Whole-Home Surge Protection Installation
 Electrical Repairs Clemson, SC

Renovations and Remodeling

If you're renovating or remodeling your home, you need a professional electrician on-hand to work to properly install your new electrical devices and systems. Our skilled electricians are happy to work with you or your remodeling consultant to install your lights and keep your home shining bright. Common renovation and remodeling jobs include:

  • Hot Tub Wiring
  • Kitchen Lighting Renovations
  • Finished Basement Electrical Wiring
 Electrical Safety Inspection Company Clemson, SC

New Construction Electrical Projects

Many new construction homeowners stress about having their electrical system wired from scratch. For us, it's just another day on the job. If you're building your dream home, don't leave your electrical work to mediocre electricians. Trust L&M electric for reliable service and the highest quality electrical work in Clemson. A few new construction projects we handle are:

  • Breaker Panel Box Installation
  • Wiring for Backup Generator
  • Landscape Lighting Outdoors
  • Low Voltage Wiring
 Whole Home Electrical Install Clemson, SC

Your Residential Electrician in Clemson, SC

When you own a home, there's something inherently fulfilling about taking care of your property and fixing issues that pop up over time. When it comes to electrical work, however, DIY projects can be dangerous. Electricity is an amazing innovation, but if you aren't fully trained and licensed to handle such work, it's best to leave it to the experts at L&M Electric. Your home's safety is essential for you and your family. Our team will go above and beyond to ensure that your home's electrical system is operating correctly without any concerning problems.

With more than 60 years of combined experience as electricians, we are capable of troubleshooting and fixing a litany of electrical issues in your house. Keep reading to learn more about the most common electrical issues our customers report, along with some handy tips on how to remediate such problems.

Electrical Services Clemson, SC

Panel Breaker is Tripped

If you don't have any power in your home, it might be time to check your electrical panel to see if there are any tripped breakers. If you spot a tripped breaker, try your best to switch it over to its original position. If you can't, remember that some breakers need to be flipped to the "off" position before turning it back on. If you don't have any luck, give our office a call. We'll send a trained residential electrician in Clemson to your home to fix the problem on-site.

 Remodel And Renovation Electrical Work Clemson, SC

Overhead Fan Stops Working

If you have an overhead fan in your living room or bedroom, you know how quickly it can accumulate dust. Most homeowners clean up using a rod duster. However, sometimes homeowners accidentally hit the fan direction switch when doing so. But, instead of flipping it "on" or "off," they bump it into a limbo zone where neither direction is selected. When this happens, your overhead fan will not spin. If one of your fans stops working suddenly, this is one of the most common reasons why. If you're sure you didn't hit the fan direction switch, it could be an indication of a larger problem. In this case, call our office for a free phone consultation. We'll troubleshoot with you over the phone and if necessary, send out an electrician.

 Electrician Clemson, SC

Kitchen Breaker Keeps Tripping

If your home was built in the last 35 years, chances are it has two 20-amp circuits running to your kitchen countertop outlets. Newer homes will have three circuits. If you're constantly tripping the breaker to your kitchen, it's most likely because you have too many electrical devices connected to the same circuit. To help alleviate this problem, place appliances like coffee makers and toasters on two different circuits. That way, they can share the load.

At the end of the day, your home is your place of solitude and relaxation. But, when you have electrical issues in your home, things can quickly go from peaceful to problematic. Whether you're renovating your home and need a new room wired for power or your panel breaker keeps giving your problems, L&M Electric is here to assist. If you have questions about an issue or need to schedule service, our team is ready to help answer your questions and coordinate the best time for a residential electrician to come to your home in Clemson.

 Smart Home Electrician Clemson, SC

Tips to Save Money and Maintain Your Home's Electrical Systems

Unlike some of our competitors, who are reluctant to provide any information that might prevent them from making a buck, L&M Electric is all about empowering our customers. If we can offer sound advice that will educate our clients and help them save money, we have no problem doing so. That's why we have put together some helpful tips and tricks for maintaining your home's most common electrical systems. Because, at the end of the day, a little knowledge can go a long way when it comes to your family's safety.

 Smart Home Installation Clemson, SC

Install Surge Protectors

Intense lighting storms can cause powerful surges of electricity that ruin your home's electrical appliances and amenities. Surge protectors installed at your electrical panel can help prevent these surges by grounding the electricity running through your home. They do so by directing it away from your electrical devices. This common solution is inexpensive, effective, and always a better choice than replacing expensive items like TVs and computers.

 Electrical Repairs Clemson, SC

Examine Your Breaker Panel

Breaker panels control the power to your home. When they go bad or are damaged, there's a good chance that you will lose power to most of the rooms in your house. Open your breaker panel and keep a sharp eye out for signs of corrosion and rust. Double-check that each breaker you see flips on and off properly. If you notice corrosion or if the breaker switches won't flip, it's time to get in touch with a residential electrician in Clemson, SC, who can inspect your breaker panel and recommend upgrades if necessary.

 Electrical Safety Inspection Company Clemson, SC

Test Your GFIs

GFIs, or Ground Fault Interrupters, are similar to surge protectors in that they prevent electrical damage from happening in your home. The primary job of a GFI is to prevent electrical shocks that happen during a ground fault. Because water is a conductor of electricity, GFIs should be installed anywhere that an outlet comes into contact with water. You should try to test your GFIs every month, if possible, to ensure that they are working correctly. When you look closely at your GFI, you will notice a "test" and a "reset" button. Hit the "test" button to trip the GFI outlet and then hit "reset" to restore power. If your outlet resets, your GFI is working as it should. If not, you need to replace your GFI outlet. Because electricity is involved, we recommend hiring a professional to install new GFIs in your home. That way, you know the job is done right.

 Whole Home Electrical Install Clemson, SC

Replace Outdated Light Bulbs

The right light bulb can add the perfect amount of ambiance to your home. Eventually, however, even the best light bulbs will need replacing. While they don't need checking every month, it's a good idea to inspect all your bulbs at the beginning of the year. If any of your bulbs are dead, you should replace them. You should also consider replacing bulbs that are incandescent with LED lights. LED light bulbs may cost more upfront but use less electricity and are more efficient over the long run.

Electrical Services Clemson, SC

Schedule a Home Safety Inspection

In terms of preventative maintenance, scheduling a safety inspection for your home's electrical systems should be a high priority. These inspections will shine a light on the electrical features in your home that need to be fixed. Most modern electrical fires are caused by short circuit arcs, defective insulation, or broken wiring. An inspection conducted by a qualified electrician will help determine what needs to be fixed so you and your family stay safe in your home. Your inspector should cover your whole home and will examine common features such as:

  • Breakers
  • Fans
  • Exposed Wiring
  • Electrical Panels
  • Circuits
  • Switches
  • Outlets and More
 Remodel And Renovation Electrical Work Clemson, SC

DELIVERING QUALITY ELECTRICAL SERVICE TO 5,000+ HOMES PER YEAR

he electrical system in your home brings it to life from the lights and appliances we use every day to the entertainment we all love and enjoy. You want an electrician that makes you feel safe while delivering the quality services you're promised.

ELECTRICIAN SERVICE REQUEST

Full-Service Electrical Work for Home and Business

Whether you need light switch services for your newly renovated home or need a generator installed at your commercial property, L&M Electric is here to serve you. Our team will get the job done right, so you can get back to loving your life in the Lowcountry.

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 Electrician Clemson, SC

Latest News in Clemson, SC

Amick delivers 9-8 #Clemson victory with walk off Grand Slam (AUDIO)

For eight innings, Friday, it looked as if Clemson would suffer through another defeat, again hamstrung by their inability to strike the big blow with runners on base. But it all changed in an instant as Billy Amick delivered a walk off grand slam to lift the Tigers to a 9-8 victory over Georgia State and send the Doug Kingsmore Stadium crowd into a frenzy.It’s every child’s dream to play the role of the hero, to score the winning touchdown, beat the buzzer from the 3-point line or drive home the winning run. But ...

For eight innings, Friday, it looked as if Clemson would suffer through another defeat, again hamstrung by their inability to strike the big blow with runners on base. But it all changed in an instant as Billy Amick delivered a walk off grand slam to lift the Tigers to a 9-8 victory over Georgia State and send the Doug Kingsmore Stadium crowd into a frenzy.

It’s every child’s dream to play the role of the hero, to score the winning touchdown, beat the buzzer from the 3-point line or drive home the winning run. But a walk off grand slam with two outs in the ninth for your first career homer? Even the most imaginative among us may not have played out the fantastical scenario Amick, who grew up in Batesburg, lived out with his teammates, Friday.

The Tigers trailed 8-4 entering the ninth, having already stranded 14 runners on the basepaths. Nathan Hall’s single to center kickstarted the rally. Three batters later, Cam Cannarella singled to left center to load the bases. Cooper Ingle drove home Hall to cut the Panthers lead to 8-5 and set the stage for Amick. Amick, in just his fifth at-bat of the season, wasted little time, launching a 1-0 pitch over the centerfield fence just to the right of the scoreboard, clearing the bases and turning fantasy into reality. It was Amick’s first homer as a Tiger and he won’t soon forget it. The Tigers (8-6) poured out of the dugout to mob Amick as he crossed the plate and flung his purple helmet in celebration.

While Amick’s big fly will garner the headlines, the contributions of Cannarella and Ingle shouldn’t be overlooked. Cannarella scored four runs and racked up five hits to raise his average to .467. Ingle also picked up five hits, with a homer among them, and drove in four runs.

Clemson starter Austin Gordon didn’t shine as he gave up six runs (three HRs) in 3.2 innings and saw his ERA rise to 6.27. The bullpen held steady, however, surrendering just a pair of unearned runs the rest of the way to keep the door cracked for the comeback. Nick Hoffman (1-1) allowed just one hit over the last 1.2 innings to pick up the win.

The same two teams go back at it in a doubleheader, Saturday. Due to forecasted inclement weather on Sunday, the decision has been made to conclude the series, Saturday. Game 1 is scheduled for 1 p.m. and Game 2 will begin approximately one hour after the first game ends.

Box Score

Clemson press conference with Erik Bakich, Cooper Ingle and Billy Amick

No. 1 Women’s Tennis Hits The Road For Georgia Tech & Clemson

The No. 1 ranked UNC Women's Tennis team hits the road for the second time of the ACC dual match season heading to No. 26 Georgia Tech and No. 38 Clemson. The Tar Heels are coming off a 2-0 weekend defeating Louisville 6-1, and No. 14 Notre Dame 7-0.Friday, March 10 – Georgia Tech 5 PM ET Ken Byers Tennis Complex – Atlanta, Ga. Live Scoring Live Video...

The No. 1 ranked UNC Women's Tennis team hits the road for the second time of the ACC dual match season heading to No. 26 Georgia Tech and No. 38 Clemson. The Tar Heels are coming off a 2-0 weekend defeating Louisville 6-1, and No. 14 Notre Dame 7-0.

Friday, March 10 – Georgia Tech 5 PM ET Ken Byers Tennis Complex – Atlanta, Ga. Live Scoring Live Video

Carolina and Georgia Tech will square off on the Ken Byers Tennis Complex in Atlanta at 5 PM on Friday, March 10. The Yellow Jackets are coming off a 0-2 week, falling to NC State 3-4, and Wake Forest 2-4. Georgia Tech is 7-4 overall, 2-2 in the ACC. The Yellow Jackets have three ranked singles individuals in No. 8 Carol Lee (4-0 in ACC), No. 27 Kylie Bilchev (3-0 in ACC), No. 99 Mahak Jain (3-1 in ACC), who will look to stop the Heels on the hard court.

Sunday, March 12 - Clemson 12 PM ET Duckworth Family Tennis Center – Clemson, S.C. Live Scoring Live Video

The 9-5 Tigers, 0-2 in the ACC will square off against the Tar Heels Sunday, March 26 at 12 PM at the Duckworth Family Tennis Center. Clemson is coming off a 0-2 weekend 0-4 against NC State and 1-6 against Wake Forest. The No. 38 ranked Tigers moved up seven spots in the latest ITA Rankings.

Carolina enters ACC dual match play with a 18-0 overall record, 4-0 in the ACC are coming off two wins last weekend. with her wins last weekend reached the 106-win mark in her career, ranking her 11 all-time at UNC, tying her with Gina Suarez-Malagu. was named ACC Freshman of the Week for the third time this season, coming off a 2-0 weekend.

The top ranked Heels in that ITA poll, have seven ranked players in singles with No. 1 , No. 15 , No. 16 , No. 22 , No. 33 , No. 67 , No. 73 .

In doubles, the pairings of No. 3 /, No. 15 /, No. 35 / continue to be ranked with pairing of No. 44 / joining the rankings for the first time this season.

Following a weekend slate of ACC road games, the Tar Heels will hit the road yet again traveling to Boston College and Syracuse.

Stay up to date on all of the news from UNC Women's Tennis by following them on Twitter @UNC_Wtennis or Instagram @unc_wtennis.

Clemson South Carolina Baseball

TOURNAMENTAmerica EastSemifinalMass.-Lowell 75, New Hampshire 64Vermont 79, Binghamton 57Atlantic 10First RoundRichmond 71, UMass 38Saint Joseph's 72, Loyola Chicago 67La Salle 73, Rhode Island 56Atlantic CoastFirst RoundGeorgia Tech 61, Florida St. 60Boston College 80, Louisville 62Virginia Tech 67, Notre Dame 64Big SkySemifinalN. Arizona 83, Montana 71Montana St. 60, Weber St. 58, 2OTBig We...

TOURNAMENT

America East

Semifinal

Mass.-Lowell 75, New Hampshire 64

Vermont 79, Binghamton 57

Atlantic 10

First Round

Richmond 71, UMass 38

Saint Joseph's 72, Loyola Chicago 67

La Salle 73, Rhode Island 56

Atlantic Coast

First Round

Georgia Tech 61, Florida St. 60

Boston College 80, Louisville 62

Virginia Tech 67, Notre Dame 64

Big Sky

Semifinal

N. Arizona 83, Montana 71

Montana St. 60, Weber St. 58, 2OT

Big West

First Round

CS Bakersfield 51, CS Northridge 47

Cal Poly 88, Long Beach St. 68

Colonial Athletic Association

Championship

Coll. of Charleston 63, UNC-Wilmington 58

Horizon League

Championship

N. Kentucky 63, Cleveland St. 61

Metro Atlantic Athletic

First Round

Mount St. Mary's 67, Canisius 66, OT

St. Peter's 70, Fairfield 52

Marist 61, Manhattan 50

Northeast

Championship

Merrimack 67, Fairleigh Dickinson 66

Southland

Semifinal

Texas A&M-CC 80, McNeese St. 63

Northwestern St. 74, New Orleans 70

Summit League

Championship

Oral Roberts 92, N. Dakota St. 58

West Coast

Championship

Gonzaga 77, Saint Mary's (Cal.) 51

Western Athletic

First Round

Cal Baptist 69, Abilene Christian 62

Grand Canyon 82, Texas-Arlington 77

Tarleton St. 74, Texas Rio Grande Valley 70

Utah Tech 80, Stephen F. Austin 76, OT

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

TOURNAMENT

America East

Semifinal

Mass.-Lowell 75, New Hampshire 64

Vermont 79, Binghamton 57

Atlantic 10

First Round

Richmond 71, UMass 38

Saint Joseph's 72, Loyola Chicago 67

La Salle 73, Rhode Island 56

Atlantic Coast

First Round

Georgia Tech 61, Florida St. 60

Boston College 80, Louisville 62

Virginia Tech 67, Notre Dame 64

Big Sky

Semifinal

N. Arizona 83, Montana 71

Montana St. 60, Weber St. 58

Big West

First Round

CS Bakersfield 51, CS Northridge 47

Cal Poly 88, Long Beach St. 68

Colonial Athletic Association

Championship

Coll. of Charleston 63, UNC-Wilmington 58

Horizon League

Championship

N. Kentucky 63, Cleveland St. 61

Metro Atlantic Athletic

First Round

Mount St. Mary's 67, Canisius 66, OT

St. Peter's 70, Fairfield 52

Marist 61, Manhattan 50

Northeast

Championship

Merrimack 67, Fairleigh Dickinson 66

Southland

Semifinal

Texas A&M-CC 80, McNeese St. 63

Northwestern St. 74, New Orleans 70

Summit League

Championship

Oral Roberts 92, N. Dakota St. 58

West Coast

Championship

Gonzaga 77, Saint Mary's (Cal.) 51

Western Athletic

First Round

Cal Baptist 69, Abilene Christian 62

Grand Canyon 82, Texas-Arlington 77

Tarleton St. 74, Texas Rio Grande Valley 70

Utah Tech 80, Stephen F. Austin 76

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

$3.4 million grant enables Clemson University to lead the creation of Black Heritage Trail

Download imageA grant from the Mellon Foundation will preserve Black history at Clemson University and in the cities of Clemson and Seneca.A $3,445,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation’s Monuments Project has been awarded to Clemson Unive...

Download image

A grant from the Mellon Foundation will preserve Black history at Clemson University and in the cities of Clemson and Seneca.

A $3,445,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation’s Monuments Project has been awarded to Clemson University to support the creation of a Black Heritage Trail on campus and in the cities of Seneca and Clemson. The Black Heritage Trail will feature walking trails that connect heritage sites with interactive signs, artwork and digital content that share the stories of local Black history and South Carolina historical markers at significant historic sites.

“There is a rich history of African American life in Upstate South Carolina that has been overlooked and is relatively unknown outside of the area and even by many who live in the region,” said Rhondda Thomas, Calhoun Lemon Professor of Literature at Clemson.

The project will be led by representatives from each of the three trail locations, and it will include community engagement and collaboration both across campus and in local communities.

On the University campus, Thomas will lead the effort. Thomas is the faculty director of the Call My Name research project, which for more than 15 years has researched and shared the stories of Black people throughout Clemson University history through books, tours, exhibits and more.

The University portion of the trail will weave through the Woodland Cemetery and African American Burial Ground. Woodland Cemetery predated the University as Cemetery Hill, first established by the John C. Calhoun family, on whose plantation the campus was built. For nearly two centuries, the cemetery has been an active burial site for members of the Calhoun family and for workers and employees—Black and white, enslaved and free—for the Fort Hill Plantation and later Clemson University. The Black Heritage Trail project grew out of Thomas’s work as coordinator of research and community engagement for the cemetery project when the Clemson University Trustee David Dukes, chair of the Legacy Council, requested that she seek innovative opportunities for collaborative partnerships between the University and local communities.

“We are grateful for the Mellon Foundation’s support of this extraordinary project,” said Clemson University President Jim Clements. “The preservation and expression of Clemson’s story, including our history and connection to the surrounding communities, is key to honoring those who helped to create and support this university. We are appreciative of Dr. Thomas for leading this project alongside our partners in Clemson and Seneca.”

In 2020-2022, hundreds of unmarked graves were recovered using ground penetrating radar after Clemson students Morgan Molosso and Sarah Adams requested a memorial for a neglected burial ground then known as the Fort Hill Slave and Convict Cemetery. Many of the graves are believed to belong to African American enslaved persons, sharecroppers, domestic workers, tenant farmers, convicted laborers, wage workers and their families.

“The trail will make this history visible and accessible to those who come to Clemson, reinscribing it on the University’s landscape and affirming Clemson’s indebtedness to Black people, particularly laborers, for its existence, development, and success and its commitment to share its complete history,” Thomas said.

In Seneca, the effort will be led by Shelby Henderson, the city’s executive director of arts, history and culture. Henderson is the founding director of the Bertha Lee Strickland Cultural Museum and is a member of the SC African American Heritage Commission.

“The Heritage Trail will be an extension of Seneca’s commitment to preserve, interpret, and share a composite local history and its relation to the broader national narrative,” Henderson said.

The Seneca portion of the trail will be developed in one of the city’s historically Black neighborhoods near the Blue Ridge Community Center. The community center is located in the former Blue Ridge High School, which served African American students in Oconee Countyprior to desegregation and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The trail is expected to connect the Community Center with Blue Ridge Field, a city park across the street which was the former site of the high school football field.

“The trail will inspire future investment in and renewal of public spaces that support a more equitable and resilient quality of life for local underserved communities,” Henderson noted.“Moreover, the Trail will perpetuate a sense of place for a vanishing local history.”

In the City of Clemson, the project will be led by Angela Agard, executive director of the Clemson Area African American Museum. The museum was founded in 2007 in what was once the Calhoun Colored School. Agard joined the museum in 2019 when it was adopted as a department by the city.

“The presence of the trail will assist the museum in fulfilling its mission to tell a complete story of African Americans in and around the Clemson community,” Agard said.

The Clemson portion of the trail is in the conceptual phase, but the initial vision is to connect the Clemson Area African American Museum to other city-owned lands that are significant to African American history.

“The trail will provide an opportunity for the neighboring communities to collaborate in efforts to forge paths of connection both literally and figuratively,” Agard explained. “It will become not only a recreational, public health and economic development resource but also solidify a culturally significant legacy that will impact community members and visitors for generations.”

Agard, Henderson and Thomas are members of the Call My Name Coalition, a partnership of local organizations that grew out of their mutual interest in documenting the African American experience in the counties of Anderson, Oconee and Pickens.

The grant project also capitalizes on the unique interdisciplinarity of Clemson’s College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities. Thomas, from the Department of English, will collaborate with the School of Architecture’s Community Research + Design Center (CR+DC) under the direction of Professor Dan Harding for community stakeholder input and design solutions.

“This project can become the gold standard for the rewards of truly interdisciplinary work,” said Nicholas Vazsonyi, dean of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities. “It requires myriad disciplines and sets of expertise to make this overdue and vitally necessary project a reality, but when we can work together and share our knowledge, great things happen.”

The project relies on additional collaborators across campus. Assistant Professor Aby Lat Soukabe Sene Harper of the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management faculty will advise the team in the development, delivery and assessment of interpretive products. Also, Carl Redd, archive specialist in Clemson Libraries’ Special Collections and Archives, will assist as an archival consultant, identifying historical materials to support the development of signage and selection of sites for the South Carolina historical markers.

About the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and it believes that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence, and freedom to be found there. Through its grants, the foundation seeks to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive. The foundation makes grants in four core program areas: Arts and Culture; Higher Learning; Humanities in Place; and Public Knowledge.

About CAAH

Established in 1996, the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities celebrates a unique combination of disciplines—Architecture; Art; City Planning; Construction Science and Management; English; History; Languages; Performing Arts; Philosophy; Religion; Real Estate Development and interdisciplinary studies—that enable Clemson University students to imagine, create and connect. CAAH strives to unite the pursuit of knowledge with the practical application of that knowledge to build a better and more beautiful world.

Clemson University to launch nation’s first Bachelor of Science program in automotive engineering

Download imageClemson University is launching the nation’s first undergraduate Bachelor of Science program in automotive engineering to meet the rapidly changing needs of an industry that is starting to trade the internal combustion engine for batteries and human drivers for self-driving cars.The new program solidifies Clemson’s position as the premier University for automotive engineering research an...

Download image

Clemson University is launching the nation’s first undergraduate Bachelor of Science program in automotive engineering to meet the rapidly changing needs of an industry that is starting to trade the internal combustion engine for batteries and human drivers for self-driving cars.

The new program solidifies Clemson’s position as the premier University for automotive engineering research and education in the Southeast and beyond and adds to the offerings at its award-winning Greenville campus, the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR).

The degree program’s creators expect it will help meet massive demand for a new breed of automotive engineer to lead the design and manufacture of cars and trucks that are quickly becoming computers on wheels powered by electricity.

“Clemson University will continue to lead the way for automotive engineering,” said President Jim Clements. “We are at the heart of the Southeast’s auto industry, and as South Carolina’s leading provider of engineering talent, Clemson is uniquely positioned to launch the nation’s first Bachelor of Science degree in automotive engineering. Through working in tandem with industry, state and federal partners, we are able to shape the future of mobility and create a robust workforce.”

Students can expect an interdisciplinary curriculum with a strong experiential learning component that is aimed at preparing them for the future of automotive manufacturing with an emphasis on cutting-edge technologies ranging from electric vehicles, advanced materials, advanced manufacturing and semiconductors to e-hailing, artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicle software.

The program’s creators expect it to launch with as many as 30 students in fall 2023 and grow to over 200 by fall 2027.

Undergraduates majoring in automotive engineering will be based on the main campus for their first two years, providing them the opportunity to immerse themselves in the full Clemson Experience, including cheering on the Tigers football team in Memorial Stadium, swimming in Lake Hartwell and eating ice cream at the ’55 Exchange.

For their final two years, students will shift to CU-ICAR, a campus that is home to Clemson’s automotive engineering faculty and graduate program. On the campus, they will be able to take full advantage of the unique experimental facilities and the expertise located there.

A bus service already in place connects CU-ICAR to the main campus 45 minutes away.

Clemson launched its graduate program in automotive engineering in 2006 and was the first university in the country to graduate a Ph.D. student in automotive engineering and the first to graduate a woman with a Ph.D. in automotive engineering.

Zoran Filipi, founding director of the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, said Clemson will build on talent and infrastructure already in place to create the undergraduate program.

“Some of the world’s leading thought leaders and most creative innovators in automotive engineering are on the faculty in the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering,” Filipi said. “We offer cutting-edge facilities, impactful learning experiences and opportunities to collaborate closely with industry partners. Clemson is uniquely positioned to lead in automotive engineering at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.”

Clemson also has a unique geographic advantage that helps position the University to offer the program. The auto industry in South Carolina employs 74,000 and has an economic impact of $27 billion, according to the state Department of Commerce.

The broader Southeast region is home to a growing number of Original Equipment Manufacturers. Within 500 miles of Clemson, the community includes BMW, Volvo, Proterrra, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Honda, Tesla, Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan and Kia. Each brings a network of suppliers that also create jobs.

The switch to autonomous and electric cars could create as many as 115,000 additional U.S. automotive and mobility industry jobs in the coming decade, including 45,000 for mobility engineers alone, according to a 2019 report by Boston Consulting Group.

Several recent investments that are helping create those jobs in South Carolina were mentioned in Gov. Henry McMaster’s Jan. 25 State of the State address.

To name a few examples:

* Redwood Materials will invest $3.5 billion for a new battery materials recycling facility, the single largest announcement in the history of South Carolina.

* BMW is investing $1 billion to prepare its Spartanburg plant to produce electric vehicles and $700 million to build a new, high-voltage battery assembly facility.

* Bosch plans to invest $200 million in Anderson County to create the company’s first production operation of fuel cell technology in the United States and another $260 million as Bosch launches production of electric motors in Dorchester County to support the U.S. market demand for electrified vehicles.

Those three investments alone are expected to create 2,500 jobs.

Laine Mears, chair of the Department of Automotive Engineering, said demand for automotive engineers is soaring.

“The entire global automotive industry is turning on a dime, and Clemson is stepping up to take the lead to meet industry’s changing needs for both technology and workforce,” he said. “The new undergraduate degree will be a truly integrative program that brings together talent from across a spectrum of disciplines, preparing students for the challenges of the future.”

Students will start with a General Engineering curriculum that includes calculus, physics and other foundational courses required of engineering majors at Clemson. After their first year, students will be eligible to begin taking automotive engineering classes.

By their senior year, students will be ready to work on Deep Orange prototype vehicles as capstone projects.

Those who complete the undergraduate program will receive a Bachelor of Science in automotive engineering. Students who decide to join the first cohort are currently in their first year in college and would be on track to graduate in 2026.

Srikanth Pilla, the ExxonMobil Employees Endowed Chair and Professor of Automotive Engineering, led the development of the curriculum for the new undergraduate program.

“While the new degree program was created in an automotive context, the curriculum has been designed broadly enough that impactful experiences will reach far beyond the car, and students will be well-qualified for a number of careers in the mobility and technology workforces,” said Pilla, who is also the founding director of AIM for Composites Energy Frontier Research Center and the Clemson Composites Center.

“Employers could range from car and aerospace companies to the U.S. Army and software companies such as Google, Apple and Meta. This is a robust curriculum filled with hands-on learning experiences aimed at preparing students to make a contribution on day one of their careers.”

The undergraduate degree adds to a growing list of marquee programs at CU-ICAR that include:

* A graduate program that has graduated 791 master’s students and 100 Ph.D. students, with virtually all finding jobs in the automotive industry or academia

* Deep Orange, a program that gives students a chance to design and build a prototype vehicle, mirroring the experience of working at an original equipment manufacturer or supplier

* Virtual Prototyping of Autonomy-Enabled Ground Systems (VIPR-GS), an organization that is part of a research partnership aimed at developing innovative virtual prototyping tools to design the next generation of autonomy-enabled, on- and off-road vehicles, with the U.S. government committing up to $100 million

* AIM for Composites, an Energy Frontier Research Center that is advancing how composite materials are created through artificial intelligence and inverse engineering

Clemson’s new undergraduate program will differ from automotive specialties in traditional departments and automotive. While technology programs concentrate on manufacturing, routine design, construction and end operations, Clemson is going beyond the technical requirements by creating an automotive engineering degree that will focus on advanced design, development and technical management of the vehicle realization process.

Anand Gramopadhye, dean of the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, said Clemson’s new undergraduate degree program will help meet workforce needs for the growing automotive industry.

“This multidisciplinary program brings together top talent, cutting-edge facilities and impactful experiences to create the leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs of the future,” he said. “By creating the future workforce, the program will help strengthen the automotive industry in South Carolina and the broader Southeastern region. I thank the team that designed the new program and congratulate its members on a job well done.”

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