New president: Clemson 'in strong position,' but must adapt to costs 12%
By Terry Benjamin II16%
8/3/2026, 11:06:27 AM
BS Summary: This article contains 11 faulty reasoning types, including Self-Serving Bias, Negativity Bias, and Recency Bias, with Optimism Bias as the most egregious example at 8.2% saturation with 69 hits. Analysis detected 315 faulty-reasoning hits from 846 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 22.5% and a BS Rank of 12% (24,808 of 28,076 articles). This article is better (less manipulative) than 88.40% of the article peer group.
Clemson University's new president said the university is in a strong financial position but must adapt to rising costs as he begins shaping his vision for the school.
Benjamin Ayers addressed Clemson's finances, athletics program, and the university's modernization efforts Monday, Aug. 3, during his first public appearance with the media since taking over as the school's 16th president.
The press conference was the first opportunity for Clemson’s new president to introduce himself to the university community and the broader Upstate.
He also outlined his priorities and gave the public an early indication of the direction he plans to take the university.
The president's first public appearance also comes at a critical financial moment for Clemson, giving him an opportunity to explain how he plans to navigate rising costs, athletics expenses, and affordability while setting the university's financial priorities for the years ahead.
"Clemson is in a very strong position," Ayers said.
"It's clear that expenses have increased at a higher rate than revenues.
I met earlier today with our deans, and one of the things we talked about is to recognize the business cycle and things when times are good and when times are bad and making sure that you are prepared and having that strong financial footing is incredibly important."
Ayers said he met with university leaders to discuss Clemson's financial future as the university weighs how to position itself for long-term growth.
While Ayers did not confirm specific changes, questions have circulated about whether funding could be shifted among departments.
He said the university's modernization efforts could help position Clemson for future growth, while emphasizing that any decisions will involve input from university leaders.
"I view the modernization effort as an opportunity to make sure that we're well positioned to take large steps forward in the future.
I'm looking forward to making sure that we're positioned to do a lot of great things and provide great outcomes and impact for the state of South Carolina," Ayers said.
During the press conference, Ayers was asked how the university will transition to paying student athletes and how that will fit into the budget.
"We're going to make those decisions to make sure that we're positioning our faculty or staff and students for success.
Obviously those are things that should work through to determine each year for the priorities and where you invest the best," Ayers said.
Ayers said he wants those major shows to continue to be a large revenue source for the university.
"Many schools have recognized that that's an opportunity for great engagement and community on campus and bringing people to campus.
It also has been a strong revenue source," he said.
Days after Kevin Guskiewicz, Clemson's original choice for president, said he would remain at Michigan State University, the university's Board of Trustees unanimously approved Ayers as Clemson's 16th president on July 9.
Ayers had served as the University of Georgia's senior vice president for academic affairs and provost since June 30, 2025.
Before serving as UGA's provost, Ayers served for 11 years as the dean of the university's Terry College of Business.
He said during the press conference that he pulled his application during the initial search for Clemson's president before the previous group of finalists was named.
Ayers said Clemson and another institution contacted him between his application withdrawal and Guskiewicz backing out.
He said his choice was always Clemson.
"What a special place this university is.
I thought this is the chance of a lifetime.
I'm not building a resume for another position.
This is the place I want to be," Ayers said.
Clemson University has undergone significant leadership changes over the past year, beginning with former president Jim Clement's announcement in December that he would step down at the end of the year.
Robert Jones, Clemson's executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, stepped in as interim president on Dec. 31 and held the position through the school's search for its next president.
The board's compensation committee finalized the terms of Ayer's contract: five years with a base compensation of $1 million.
The Clemson University Foundation will pay $668,000 of the first year's base compensation.
Ayer's contract includes the opportunity for a $50,000 raise per year with positive performance reviews, and he will be eligible for up to a $225,000 bonus a year if annual goals and metrics are met.
Ayers said he's looking to play a servant role as the university's leader.
"In my role as president, it will not be about me personally; it's about the institution, it's about the mission, it's about serving this institution and doing great things for the state," he said.
He said the thing that attracted him to the university was the people and relationships that he could only find at Clemson.
"The true love, not only for the institution, but for each other.
Meeting with the board, seeing the relationships there, and just the true love for this institution.
That's not like that at all places," Ayers said.
Speakers
2speakers56%attributed speech369writer words
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43%flagged-word coverageBenjamin Ayers
449 attributed words94% of attributed speech24% writer coverage
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