Clemson's President Visits GGC

As the bidding process gets underway for the construction of the Clemson University Center for Human Genetics in the Greenwood Research Park, and the search begins to fill the Self Family Endowed Chair in Human Genetics, the University’s President came to see firsthand the facilities of their collaborator, the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC).

President Jim Clements visited GGC on Thursday to tour the campus and learn more about the resources and programs offered by the Center. GGC faculty shared the latest diagnostic technologies, recent research advances and educational outreach programs with Clements. He also met with the Center’s Director, Dr. Steve Skinner, as well as representatives from the Greenwood Partnership Alliance and Self Family Foundation to discuss the impact of the growing genetics collaborative on research and economic development in Greenwood.

“I was pleased to have the opportunity to visit the Greenwood Genetic Center,” Clements said. “I am extremely impressed by the facilities and expertise of the researchers and clinicians here. We clearly have the potential for a partnership that can make a significant difference for South Carolina.”

“We are excited to welcome President Clements to our campus for the first of what we hope will be many visits to our campus in Greenwood”, shared Skinner. “His support for our collaboration will help fuel the continued growth of exciting treatment projects to benefit patients worldwide.”

In June of 2013, the official groundbreaking was held for the new 20,000 sq ft building to be located adjacent to the Center’s JC Self Research Institute. The facility will house five new Clemson faculty, including the Self Family Chair in Human Genetics, as well as graduate students, and will provide increased onsite collaboration among GGC and Clemson scientists in areas such as autism and oncology.

Clements attended the February announcement of a $5.6 million gift toward the collaborative from Self Regional Healthcare just after assuming the Clemson Presidency; however, this was his first opportunity to visit the GGC campus.

Photo caption: GGC’s founder, Dr. Roger Stevenson, discusses the Center’s autism research with President Clements during his visit.