(Photo courtesy of Clemson University) 

With a transformational gift of $25 million to Clemson University, school officials said Dave and Lynette Snow have positioned the newly named Snow Institute for the Study of Capitalism to become the model program in America focused on the moral principles of capitalism.

The officials said their lead gift enables the Institute to chart a 10-year vision for expansion of current programming and the creation of new projects.

Since 2005, the Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism and its flagship Lyceum Scholars Program, established in 2014, have been working to explore the moral foundations of a free society and the vital role played by capitalism in advancing a free, just and virtuous society.

Clemson is the only public university in the country that supports a program directly addressing and promoting the nation’s founding principles through both education and research.

“Through their transformational gift, Dave and Lynette Snow are continuing to fulfill the mission and vision of our founder, Thomas Green Clemson, who envisioned our University as a path to economic prosperity,” said President Jim Clements.

He added, “The Snow Institute for the Study of Capitalism is a commitment to our Tigers and will significantly impact lives across the state of South Carolina and the nation. We are a better University because of the dedication and support from the Snow family.”

The Snows’ support will allow the Institute, housed within the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business, to double the Lyceum Scholars Program from 40 to 80 scholars.

The Lyceum Program has become one of the most sought-after and competitive academic programs in the country.

The Shows’ gift will also double the scholarship for current and future scholars, further providing the opportunity to recruit top students. The Snow family is the first and lead gift in an effort to raise $100 million toward the study of capitalism.

In addition to accelerating the impact of the Lyceum Scholars Program, the gift will support doubling the Lyceum Fellows program and launching two new critical programs:

• The American Founding Project — America’s first and only academic program dedicated to the understanding of the history, principles and institutions of the American founding.
• The Capitalism Unleashed Project — A program dedicated to the moral underpinnings of capitalism within the world.