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A nationally respected academic leader, accomplished administrator and award-winning educator, Ayers will assume the presidency on Aug. 1.
Clemson University’s Board of Trustees on Thursday unanimously selected Benjamin C. Ayers, Ph.D. as the University’s next president. Ayers will assume the presidency on Aug. 1.
A nationally respected academic leader, accomplished administrator and award-winning educator, Ayers comes to Clemson from the University of Georgia, where he serves as senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. As UGA’s chief academic officer, he oversees the University’s academic enterprise, including its 20 schools and colleges, as well as instruction, research, public service and outreach, information technology and the offices supporting faculty, graduate education, global engagement and libraries.
“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. 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.”
“Dr. Ayers brings a wealth of experience in all levels of academia and vast relationships with the private sector,” said Trustee Cheri Phyfer ’93, M ’99, chair of the presidential search committee. “Throughout the process, he impressed the committee with his candor, integrity and genuine enthusiasm for Clemson University. His experience spans every stage of academic leadership — from assistant professor to department chair, dean and provost — and he has distinguished himself in each role.”
As University of Georgia provost, Ayers has led the university’s academic enterprise during a period of continued momentum and growth. Under his leadership as provost, UGA launched a new School of Medicine, established the Victoria Kay Ivester School of Nursing and expanded study abroad opportunities to rank among the nation’s top five public universities for participation. He also has overseen UGA’s research and innovation enterprise as it reached new milestones, including earning the No. 1 ranking among U.S. universities for bringing new products to market.
“Ben Ayers is an accomplished scholar and collaborative leader whose record reflects a deep commitment to academic excellence, student success and institutional advancement,” said Board Chair Kim Wilkerson ’80. “He understands the opportunities ahead for higher education and has demonstrated the ability to bring people together around a shared vision. We are confident he is the right leader to build on Clemson’s remarkable momentum and guide the University into its next chapter.”
Wilkerson also thanked the presidential search committee for its work throughout the process.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation to Trustee Phyfer and every member of the search committee for their dedicated service throughout the process and especially through the past few days,” Wilkerson said. “Their thoughtful leadership, careful deliberation and commitment to Clemson helped identify an exceptional leader for our University.”
Before becoming UGA’s provost, Ayers served for 11 years as dean of the Terry College of Business, one of the nation’s leading public business schools. During his tenure, the college strengthened its national reputation, expanded academic offerings, increased undergraduate and graduate enrollment, significantly grew scholarships and study abroad opportunities, and endowed academic departments, institutes, chairs and professorships. The college also completed a successful fundraising campaign resulting in more than $300 million in private support for students, faculty, academic programs and new facilities.
Prior to serving as dean, Ayers led UGA’s J.M. Tull School of Accounting for nine years. He joined the University of Georgia faculty in 1996 as an assistant professor.
An accomplished teacher and researcher, Ayers has received numerous honors for excellence in teaching and scholarship throughout his career. His research has earned national recognition from the American Taxation Association and the American Accounting Association, and he served as president of the American Taxation Association in 2017.
Ayers earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in taxation from the University of Alabama before completing a doctorate in accounting at the University of Texas at Austin. Before entering academia, Ayers worked in the private sector with KPMG and Complete Health Inc.
Additional information regarding Ayers’ transition to Clemson University and opportunities for the Clemson community to welcome him to campus will be shared in the coming weeks.
Source: Clemson University
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