Clemson University Launches Historic Capital Campaign to Raise $1.889 Billion

Clemson University is embarking on its most ambitious capital campaign to date, Fiercely Forward: A Campaign for Clemson.

With a goal of $1.889 billion, officials say the Fiercely Forward capital campaign positions Clemson to remain steadfast in its commitment to student success, innovation and academic excellence.

The Fiercely Forward capital campaign is the driving force to achieve the bold initiatives of the university’s strategic plan, Clemson Elevate.

Through this capital campaign, officials say the university will secure scholarship support, maintain an unmatched student experience through unparalleled programs, attract and retain top academic, scientific and artistic minds through faculty support, enhance facilities on its campuses while nurturing and retaining Clemson’s history and natural beauty, and continue building a strong endowment to provide for the university’s future.

“Fiercely Forward is more than a campaign for Clemson — it is a bold commitment for our future. It is a promise to honor our heritage, celebrate our values and elevate our mission of education, research and service. The Clemson Family is fiercely dedicated to Clemson University, and I know that together, we will continue to transform the lives of our Tigers for generations to come,” said University President Jim Clements.

The campaign has reached a major milestone toward its goal of $1.889 billion — securing $1.297 billion in the leadership phase of the campaign.

With 102,661 donors making 571,098 gifts toward the campaign thus far, Clemson also received the largest academic and athletic gifts in the history of the university.

Billy and Ann Powers gave a transformational gift of $60 million — positioning the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business to become a nationally recognized program for educating global leaders.

Jim and Candace Brown made what university officials call an extraordinary commitment to IPTAY which supports several areas of Clemson’s athletic program, including football and basketball.

NASA Names Acting Associate Administrator, More Leadership Changes

NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro announced that Vanessa Wyche will serve as the acting associate administrator for the agency at NASA Headquarters in Washington, effective immediately.

Wyche, who had been the director of NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, is detailed as Petro's senior advisor leading the agency's center directors and mission directorate associate administrators.

A native of South Carolina, Wyche earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering and Master of Science in Bioengineering from Clemson University. 

She will act as the agency's chief operating officer for about 18,000 civil servant employees and an annual budget of more than $25 billion. Stephen Koerner will become the acting center director of NASA Johnson.

Prior to her new role, Wyche was the director NASA Johnson – home to America's astronaut corps, Mission Control Center, International Space Station, Orion and Gateway Programs, and its more than 11,000 civil service and contractor employees.

Her responsibilities included a broad range of human spaceflight activities, including development and operation of human spacecraft, NASA astronaut selection and training, mission control, commercialization of low Earth orbit, and leading NASA Johnson in exploring the Moon and Mars.

During her 35-year career, Wyche has served in several leadership roles, including Johnson's deputy center director, director of Exploration Integration and Science Directorate, flight manager of several Space Shuttle Program missions, and executive officer in the Office of the Administrator.

The agency also named Jackie Jester as associate administrator for the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs and announced Catherine Koerner, associate administrator for the agency's Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, will retire effective Friday, Feb. 28. 

Lori Glaze, deputy associate administrator for Exploration Systems Development, will become the mission directorate's acting associate administrator.

ES Foundry to Supply 300 Megawatts of U.S.-Made Solar Cells to Bila Solar

ES Foundry, an American company advancing U.S. solar by onshoring crystalline solar cell production, announced a multi-year agreement to supply 300 megawatts (MWs) of high-performance, U.S.-made solar cells to Bila Solar, a domestic solar module manufacturer.

The solar cells will be made in Greenwood, South Carolina.

Officials said the strategic partnership between ES Foundry and Bila Solar highlights the growing demand for domestically produced solar technology and the ongoing shift toward onshoring critical manufacturing.

By producing their solar cells and modules entirely in the United States, both companies strengthen the domestic supply chain and advance American energy dominance, economic stability and security, the officials said.

"This agreement with Bila Solar underscores the increasing market confidence in American-made solar cells," said Ken Johnston, vice president of sales at ES Foundry.

Johnston added, "By partnering with a forward-thinking module manufacturer like Bila Solar, we're expanding access to high-efficiency solar products and driving domestic manufacturing growth. This reduces reliance on imports and reinforces the U.S. as a global leader in clean energy manufacturing."

ES Foundry's state-of-the-art solar cell manufacturing facility in South Carolina began production in early 2025, delivering high-efficiency monocrystalline bifacial PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact) solar cells.

Officials said the partnership with Bila Solar reflects the increasing demand for scalable, U.S.-produced solar technology and reinforces ES Foundry's ability to deliver at commercial volumes.

Bila Solar is a new solar panel manufacturer based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company recently completed retrofitting a former Eli Lilly factory, and its patented ultra-lightweight solar panels are already in production.

In addition, the company announced in January that it would expand its product lines to include conventional 550W glass and aluminum frame modules, which incorporate domestically produced solar cells.

Officials said these modules can help solar developers access the ITC's 10 percent domestic content bonus credit, particularly on ground-mount projects such as fixed-tilt and carport solar applications.

Production of Bila Solar's new line of domestic cell modules will start in May.

Jushi USA Leases 200,758 Square Feet at Pineview Trade Center in Richland County

Colliers | South Carolina and Summit Real Estate Group announced that Jushi USA has leased ±200,758 square feet at Pineview Trade Center, a ±351,349-square-foot speculative industrial building in Southeast Columbia.

Jushi USA’s existing state-of-the-art fiberglass manufacturing facility is located less than a mile away in Richland County’s Pineview Industrial Park.

Jushi USA is a subsidiary of China Jushi Co. Ltd., a leading global manufacturer of fiberglass products, and it specializes in the production and supply of fiberglass reinforcements and fabrics.

Jushi will use Pineview Trade Center as a distribution center, serving industries such as marine, construction, infrastructure, transportation and alternative energy.

“We’re delighted to see one of our existing businesses grow its operations within our community,” said Jeff Ruble, director of Richland County Economic Development Office. “The investments made at the Pineview Trade Center and Jushi’s expansion exemplify the positive business environment in Richland County.”

“Jushi’s expansion underscores central South Carolina’s growing appeal for global companies seeking prime logistics and manufacturing locations,” said Chuck Salley, managing director | Industrial Services at Colliers.

Pineview Trade Center has ±50,220 to 150,591 square feet remaining for lease, and the building is also being marketed for sale.

The class A facility is located within Pineview Industrial Park, approximately three miles from Interstate 77 in Southeast Columbia and home to major users such as Mark Anthony Brewing, TreeHouse Foods and Mars Petcare.

Pineview Trade Center is part of Summit Real Estate Group’s growing speculative industrial real estate portfolio across the United States.

Summit is an independent, partner-led commercial real estate company based in St. Louis, Missouri. Its portfolio includes projects across 7+ states, emphasizing value creation for tenants and investors alike.

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