GSA Daily Staff Report
Published Nov. 10, 2009

Clemson University will make an announcement on Friday at the Bowater Building regarding a new initiative for its business school in downtown Greenville.

Clemson did not provide any more details, but the school has been looking for a downtown location for its MBA program.

Also in downtown Greenville, Clemson currently has the Arthur M. Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership and the Clemson Renaissance Center, both in the Liberty Building on Main Street. The MBA program also has a presence at University Center on South Pleasantburg Drive.

Caron St. John, the associate dean of research and graduate programs and director of the Spiro Institute, sent an invitation today for Friday’s event, calling it a significant announcement related to the university’s College of Business & Behavioral Science. She was unavailable to elaborate.

In an interview with GSA Business last month, Clemson President James Barker said the university was close to naming a downtown Greenville location for its MBA program, but could not discuss specifics at that time.

“We’re certainly making a commitment in downtown,” he said.

Clemson officials did not say whether the venue for the new initiative is the Bowater Building, which is the site of Friday’s news conference. But the 100,000-square-foot building, which overlooks the Reedy River falls and park, has unoccupied space.

The city has made the attraction of collegiate institutions a priority for its downtown. At an event two weeks ago to celebrate the opening of Brown Mackie College at Two Liberty Square, Mayor Knox White said he was awaiting word on the downtown location for Clemson’s MBA program. He said he expected an announcement soon.

Curtis Puechl, president of the Clemson MBA Student Association, said students have been informed of the potential move and fully support it.

“It’s a great opportunity to get closer to the businesses in Greenville. Networking is a great part of what we do,” he said.