Donor recognition planning began well before The Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business broke ground in Fall 2017. Knowing that the building would herald a new era in campus development, the advancement team engaged Heurista to assess the entire donor recognition program, starting with naming opportunity policy, a consistent valuation system, and a tracking system coordinated through advancement services. With the endorsement of the president’s naming committee, campus planning, and the fundraisers, the entire strategy was revamped to clarify the design standards and greatly enhance the storytelling potential for all donor recognition.

The design phase was a coordinated effort between Heurista, campus planning, and the project architects. The resulting designs support the major themes of this project and maintain size, cost and content guidelines that apply to all Clemson University donor recognition moving forward.

The new facility opened in 2020, showcasing the Powers family and their significant philanthropic support. Recognition displays include the outdoor Benefactors’ View, a grouped recognition unit integrated into the glass facade of the building. This display recognizes major gifts made in support of the construction of the building as well as named funds, programs, and faculty positions. In the main lobby, the Powers are featured with story-telling celebrating their personal history and connection to Clemson University, and a collage of their accomplishments and contributions to Clemson. The Powers named the south hall in honor of their grandson, Chandler L. Burns, whose life is commemorated in the career center. Throughout the building, naming opportunities showcase the many donors who supported the project, several dedicating their gifts to beloved faculty.