Two-Time UA Grad Named Clemson University's Next President

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A two-time University of Alabama graduate has been selected to lead Clemson University.

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The university's Board of Trustees on Thursday unanimously named Benjamin C. Ayers as the university's next president.

Ayers comes to Clemson after serving as senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Georgia.

He will assume the role Aug. 1.

Ayers earned both his bachelor's degree in accounting and master's degree in taxation from the University of Alabama before completing a doctorate in accounting at the University of Texas at Austin.

"It is a tremendous honor to be selected to serve as the next president of Clemson University," Ayers said in a statement. "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."

As UGA's chief academic officer, Ayers oversaw the university's 20 schools and colleges, as well as its research, public service, information technology and global engagement efforts.

Before becoming provost, Ayers spent 11 years as dean of UGA's Terry College of Business and previously led the university's J.M. Tull School of Accounting.

Clemson says Ayers worked in the private sector with KPMG and Complete Health Inc. prior to entering higher education.

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