WVU President James Clements leaving for Clemson
By Josh Sanchez
West Virginia University is going to look a lot different next year. Athletic director Oliver Luck was considered for the same job at Texas, but he ultimately stayed at WVU after the Longhorns went with Steve Patterson. However, WVU president James Clements will be leaving the school for the same position at Clemson.
The school announced the move in a press release on Monday morning.
“Since the hiring of Jim Clements in 2009, West Virginia University has experienced unprecedented success in many areas – private giving, enrollment, academics, research funding, health care, community service, economic development and so much more,” said BOG Chair James W. Dailey II. “Of course he will say it is because he has had a great team, but it’s more than that.
“Jim is a natural born leader – someone who understands the higher education climate. He is committed to excellence. He stands for integrity and is a champion for this University and its diverse audiences – from students and their parents, to faculty and staff, to donors and funders, to city, state and federal lawmakers, to opinion leaders, to our state’s citizens and others.
“The bottom line: He understands how a public land-grant University changes lives — and he has brought people together to make that mission a very powerful one on our campus.”
Clements issued a statement of his own on the decision to leave for Clemson:
“I want to personally thank him for his leadership and vision, as well as his friendship. And on behalf of the WVU Board of Governors and a grateful University, we wish Jim and Beth – and the entire Clements family – all the best as they transition to a new home at Clemson University.
“The Clemson Tigers are getting a national-caliber leader who, we know, will always carry the Mountaineer spirit in is heart.
“In the coming days and weeks we will announce a plan for interim leadership, and then a permanent plan moving forward.”