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Greenville Business Magazine

The Business Narrative: A Change to the Election

Jul 22, 2024 09:09AM ● By Donna Walker

(Photo by 123rf.com)

Democrats React to President Biden's Withdrawal From 2024 Presidential Race

Democrats across the nation and across South Carolina praised President Joe Biden on Sunday for his leadership and service to the nation as he announced he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.

 

In a statement, Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said: 

 

“The American people owe President Biden an enormous debt of gratitude for the unparalleled progress he has delivered over the last four years – and we will honor that legacy, and the decision that he has made today, through a firm commitment to nominating and electing a Democratic president this November who will carry that torch into the next four years.

 

“The work that we must do now, while unprecedented, is clear. In the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people.

 

“Democrats are prepared and united in our resolve to win in November. As we move forward to formally select our Party’s nominee, our values as Democrats remain the same – lowering costs, restoring freedom, protecting the rights of all people, and saving our democracy from the threat of dictatorship. We have and will continue to make this case to the American people.

 

“In short order, the American people will hear from the Democratic Party on next steps and the path forward for the nomination process.”

 

Harrison was chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party from 2013 to 2017.

 

Congressman James E. Clyburn, (D-SC) said: 

 

“I’ve had the honor and privilege of Calling President Joe Biden a friend for many years. When I endorsed then-candidate Biden in 2020, I noted how I could think of no one with the integrity and no one more committed to the fundamental principles that form the foundation of our great country than him.

 

"He has used those principles to bring the American people together through incredible trials and unfamiliar terrain. He’s pursued an agenda that addresses the inequities in our health care system, the unaffordability of higher education, our outdated roads and bridges, the gun violence epidemic, access to affordable high-speed broadband, and so much more. President Biden has improved the lives of countless Americans through his selfless service, and I thank him for his unparagoned leadership.”

 

“One of President Biden’s first decisions as the nominee was to select a running mate that he believed possessed the values and vision necessary to continue this country’s pursuit toward a ‘more perfect Union.’

 

"I echo the good judgment he demonstrated in selecting Vice President Harris to lead this nation alongside him, and I am proud to follow his lead in support of her candidacy to succeed him as the Democratic Party’s 2024 nominee for President.”

Clemson Trustees Approve FY25 Budget, Housing Expansion, Celebrate Record-Setting Year

Clemson University’s Board of Trustees approved the FY25 budget; a host of facilities projects, including a housing expansion of Douthit Hills; the hire of a new vice president for student affairs; and future naming opportunities and honorary degree recipients as it held its summer quarterly meetings on July 18.

 

Record Breaking 2023-2024

During his quarterly report to the Board, President Jim Clements highlighted the achievements of Clemson students, including a record-setting 59 national scholar award winners.

 

The group includes the university’s fifth-ever Truman Scholar, an Astronaut Scholar and five Goldwater Scholars. Over the past five years, Clemson students have earned a Rhodes Scholarship, three Truman Scholarships and 17 Goldwater Scholarships — figures only five other universities nationally can claim (Michigan, Harvard, Yale, Columbia and Stanford).

The Board was also informed of a record $259M in philanthropic support during the 2024 fiscal year that ended on June 30, eclipsing last year’s total by more than 19 percent.

 

The $259,072,365 raised in academic and athletic support was given by 40,484 individual alumni, faculty, staff, parents, friends, partners and donors who contributed a combined 107,295 gifts.
 

FY25 Budget Approved

In June, with the continued support of the South Carolina General Assembly, the Board approved an in-state tuition freeze for the fifth consecutive year. On July 18, 2024, the Board approved the administration’s $2.1B balanced budget for FY25.

 

Officials said the FY25 budget represents disciplined expense management and revenue growth in support of Clemson Elevate priorities while enabling Clemson to pursue AAU status.

 

They added Clemson continues to be recognized by the bond rating agencies for its focused strategic priorities and strong fiscal management.

 

Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings affirmed the credit rating of the university’s higher education revenue bonds this year, and S&P Global upgraded the rating to AA+.

 

The university’s Moody’s, S&P Global and Fitch ratings are now Aa2/AA+/AA, respectively — the highest they have been.

 

Officials said the FY25 budget reflects a continuation of key priorities and critical steps toward transforming Clemson’s administrative systems and processes to better serve those priorities.

 

They said the FY25 budget also represents continued investments in Clemson Elevate priorities, including strategic hires supporting research ascension, and employee retention efforts through cost-of-living adjustments and faculty promotions.

 

Elsewhere, Doug Hallenbeck has been named vice president for student affairs following approval from the Board of Trustees Compensation Committee.

 

Hallenbeck returns to Clemson after serving as vice president for student affairs at Oklahoma State University from 2019-2024.

 

In his new role beginning this fall, Hallenbeck will lead the Division of Student Affairs, encompassing areas responsible for supporting student success beyond the classroom.

 

Facilities Approvals

Douthit Hills Expansion – The university has been evaluating opportunities to construct additional facilities for first-year on-campus housing.

 

The proposed project will create an additional residential building in the Douthit Hills community, providing an additional 360 beds as well as a classroom, collaboration space and a faculty apartment.

 

Parking Garage (Phase II) – Design and construction of a six-level, approximately 1,200-space parking facility by the newly aligned Williamson Road to the east and Perimeter Road to the south.

 

Officials said this location will leverage investments to both of those streets and direct traffic to the perimeter of campus. Recent benchmarking and review by an external consultant recommended further expansion of parking capacity and consideration of a parking garage.

 

Officials said the university parking system is fully used, and it is anticipated some centrally located surface parking supply will be displaced as the university maximizes its existing land for future facilities.

 

This facility will be located centrally near the new alumni center and will provide high-density parking for alumni, visitors, athletic functions and prospective students on campus tours.

 

Bryan Mall – Lever Hall Renovation (Phase II) – This project will renovate Lever Hall as the third and final building in the Bryan Mall renovation plans. Bryan Mall consists of three high-rise buildings that house 1,450 undergraduate students.

 

The first building to be renovated, Byrnes Hall, was previously approved and is under construction with an estimated completion date of August 2024.

 

The second building to be renovated, Manning Hall, was also previously approved, and construction began in May 2024 with an estimated completion date of August 2025.

 

The work will include repairing the building envelopes; improving accessibility; installing new fire sprinkler systems; replacing the plumbing, HVAC, electrical and roofing systems; and abating hazardous materials.

 

The renovations to Lever Hall will also include new corner and central stairwells to improve functionality and egress. The current plan also creates new interior restroom suites, with ADA accommodation, that are popular with residents.

 

Officials said the proposed renovations will bring the facilities up to current standards and extend their useful life for another 40 years.

 

College of Veterinary Medicine Construction Budget Update – The Board approved a budget of $285.5M for the construction of the College of Veterinary Medicine complex.

 

The project includes construction of approximately 232,500 gross square feet of teaching, clinical and research facilities.

 

The College of Veterinary Medicine will be built near the main campus of Clemson University at a site near the intersection of Starkey Road and W. Queen Street.

 

Officials said the site provides the veterinary school students and faculty with proximity and easy access to the university research farms, teaching herds, and the T. Ed Garrison Arena and Expo Center, one of the premier livestock facilities in the Southeast.  

Blount Memorial Hospital To Join Prisma Health

Blount Memorial Hospital, a 304-bed nonprofit community hospital located in Maryville, Tennessee, has chosen to join Greenville, South Carolina-based Prisma Health.

 

The parties have signed a non-binding letter of intent and now enter a period of exclusive negotiations, due diligence and integration planning.

 

“The Blount Memorial board and leadership determined that joining a high-performing health system was a necessary next step to achieve next-level outcomes in patient care, operating efficiencies, and growth,” said Mark O’Halla, president and CEO of Prisma Health.

 

He added, “Health care is shifting to a multi-region model and the number of systems operating in multiple states is rapidly increasing. Expanding to desirable nearby markets with respected regional hospitals like Blount Memorial strengthens our scale, capabilities, relevance, resources, and attractiveness to top talent and industry partners – all attributes of leading health care organizations.”

 

“From our very first introduction to Prisma Health, we saw a strong commitment to always putting the patient first, which is something that Blount Memorial has focused on to ensure positive health outcomes for our patients and community,” said Blount Memorial Hospital interim CEO Jonathan Smith.

 

“The Prisma Health Board of Directors fully supports Blount Memorial joining our organization,” said Craig Brown, chair of the Prisma Health Board of Directors.

 

Brown added, “This is a positive initiative for us here in South Carolina as well since our patients and the communities we serve are the beneficiaries of a stronger, growing, more vibrant Prisma Health.”

 

July 18 kicked off a four-month exclusive negotiation, due diligence and integration planning period. During that time, both organizations will learn more about each other and begin planning for Blount Memorial to join Prisma Health officially in late 2024, officials said.

 

Prisma Health is a private nonprofit health company and the largest health-care organization in South Carolina.

 

The company has 29,309 team members, 18 acute and specialty hospitals, 2,827 licensed beds, 305 practice sites, and more than 5,400 employed and independent clinicians across its clinically integrated inVio Health Network.

 

Prisma Health’s 21-county market area covers 50 percent of South Carolina.

 

Blount Memorial Hospital has more than 2,700 employees and 200 physicians working in clinical and nonclinical positions in 20 locations in Blount and Monroe counties. Key services include cancer, orthopedic, surgical and cardiac care.

 

The hospital was founded in 1947 through the efforts of local physicians, the county court, interested citizens and employees of the Aluminum Company of America. It is named in honor of Blount Countians who have died in the line of duty, those missing in action, and those who have served and continue to serve our country.

ACEC-SC Celebrates Excellence in Engineering at Annual Awards Ceremony

The American Council of Engineering Companies of South Carolina (ACEC-SC) honored professionals at the South Carolina Engineering Conference and Trade Show held June 6-8 in Greenville.

 

The award presentation celebrated the achievements and contributions of engineers who have made significant impacts in their fields and the community.

 

ACEC-SC highlighted its commitment to honoring the people who support the engineering industry, ACEC-SC members, and those who work at its member firms with two new individual award presentations.

 

The night began with the announcement of Greg Maris, a project geotechnical engineer at NOVA Engineering and Environmental, as the 2024 ACEC-SC Young Professional of the Year. 

 

Maris is a graduate of The Citadel, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in civil environmental engineering, and the University of Colorado at Boulder.

 

He was recognized not only for his technical expertise but also for his dedication to giving back to the industry. Maris also was named the 2024 South Carolina Society of Professional Engineers (SCSPE) Young Engineer of the Year.

 

The 2024 ACEC-SC’s Engineer of the Year award is Jeff Mulliken, a lifelong resident of South Carolina, who has dedicated his career to advancing the engineering profession.

 

He holds three degrees in civil engineering (BS, MS, and Ph.D.) from the University of South Carolina and has served in various influential roles, including as a consultant, educator and leader within ACEC-SC.

 

Mulliken’s career began at the Savannah River Site, and he later moved on to significant positions at The LPA Group, Kimley Horn, STV, HOLT and currently, Carolina Transportation Engineers and Associates (CarolinaTEA).

 

His contributions include leading the ACEC-SC Future Leaders program, serving as the 2022-2023 ACEC-SC president, and his recent appointment as the ACEC-SC Affiliate National Director.

 

Mulliken is also an accomplished author and speaker.

 

Officials said his dedication to the profession is reflected in his receipt of numerous awards, including the 2023 ASCE LeTellier Cup for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to the Profession of Civil Engineering.

 

In addition to celebrating the achievements of seasoned professionals, the event also recognized ACEC-SC’s eleventh class of Future Leaders.

 

To be considered for the program, participants must be a top performer and dedicated employee of their firm with the potential to manage a team, group or company.

 

The program is designed to cultivate the next generation of engineering leaders through a comprehensive curriculum covering leadership, project management, business development and more.

 

The 2024 class of ACEC-SC Future Leaders includes:

 

Tyler Andrews, HDR

Scott Baker, Stantec

Mathew Barnes, HDR

Brittany Groome, DRMP

Joe Haas, Michael Baker

Casey Howard, WSP

Thomas Inabenett, EAS Professionals

Nick Jehn, Kimley Horn

Taylor Johnson, SCI

Thomas Keller, ACTS

Jeff King, CECS

Nancy Krieg, McCormick Taylor

Katelyn Love, Access Traffic

Greg Maris, Nova

West Mauncey, Reveer Group

Katie McCoy, Thomas & Hutton

Amanda Noel, RK&K

Keith Powell, Mead & Hunt

Lauren Retivo, Schnable

Zack Simpson, Geoengineers

Mark Thomas, Colliers Engineering

Dylan Windham, Michael Baker

Michele Ziehl, Michael Baker.

 

“We extend our sincere congratulations to all the award winners and participants,” said Adam Jones, ACEC-SC’s executive director. “Your dedication, hard work and passion for engineering continue to drive the profession forward.”

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