Clemson spent hundreds on jet journey, VIP live performance perks earlier than picked president backed out

CLEMSON, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – Records obtained by FOX Carolina Investigates reveal Clemson University spent lots of of hundreds of {dollars} on personal jet journey and an out of doors govt search agency in its seek for a brand new chief. Access to a presidential suite throughout a live performance was additionally among the many perks provided earlier than its high presidential decide abruptly turned down the place.

In May, Clemson University trustees introduced Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, then president of Michigan State University, because the college’s subsequent chief. Less than two months later, the deal collapsed when Guskiewicz determined to stay in Michigan, forcing the college to pivot to a candidate who was by no means named amongst its public finalists.

Invoices and flight logs obtained by means of public information requests present Clemson incurred greater than $19,250 in jet journey to tied to Guskiewicz and his household’s campus go to as he started his transition in late June. Passengers on the university-owned plane included Guskiewicz, his spouse, his grownup son, and his son’s girlfriend.

James Carperter, an legal professional who works with a authorities watchdog group the South Carolina Public Interest Foundation says the manifest raises quick questions on the usage of college assets.

“They brought his wife, which is fairly understandable, but they also brought down his son and his son’s girlfriend, which doesn’t seem to have a purpose in relation to recruiting the president,” mentioned Carpenter. “I think any normal person would look at it and say, what does the girlfriend have to do with it, and what does the son have to do with it?”

A Clemson spokesperson defended the journey, stating that “presidential family travel for welcome events prior to an official start date is customary as the president is expected to reside on campus while serving the university.” When requested whether or not that coverage extends to non-relative vital others, the spokesperson mentioned it did, however the college didn’t present written coverage documentation to assist the declare.

The college additionally maintained there have been “no extra costs associated with the travel” as a result of the journey was essential to convey the president down and his household used the additional seats onboard.

Questions over campus go to and employment

The presence of Guskiewicz’s grownup son, Jacob Guskiewicz, prompted questions concerning whether or not secondary employment was mentioned in the course of the recruitment course of.

According to his public LinkedIn profile, Jacob Guskiewicz beforehand held athletics division positions at two establishments the place his father served as high chief: the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Michigan State University.

FOX Carolina Investigates requested Clemson officers and Kevin Guskiewicz whether or not the youthful Guskiewicz was thought of for any function on the college. Direct inquiries to Kevin Guskiewicz and his son went unanswered.

A Clemson spokesperson confirmed “there were no other employment offers to other members of Dr. Guskiewicz’s family,” however didn’t reply whether or not the son participated in conferences concerning potential employment whereas on campus.

Internal textual content messages amongst board members obtained by FOX Carolina Investigates point out Guskiewicz expressed hesitation shortly after accepting the place. One message famous he was “struggling with leaving unfinished business and leaving people he brought to MSU.”

“Was the son a candidate for another job? Was the president trying to get his son a job?” Carpenter requested.

Suite entry at Death Valley live performance

The Guskiewicz household go to got here on the similar time of a significant nation music tour cease at Memorial Stadium that includes Morgan Wallen.

Internal emails reveal the college organized for Guskiewicz and his household to observe the efficiency from Clemson’s presidential suite. Clemson officers said that internet hosting the household within the stadium suite didn’t lead to any further monetary price to the college.

“I don’t know if they were trying to seal the deal over there at Clemson, but whatever it was, it didn’t work,” Carpenter mentioned.

Less than 10 days after attending the live performance and concluding the campus go to, Guskiewicz formally notified Clemson management that he was withdrawing from the appointment, citing private causes.

“If I were negotiating on Clemson’s behalf, I think I’d be embarrassed by it,” Carpenter mentioned. “I think I’d be angry by it.”

Search agency charges and an unlisted finalist

The failed recruitment wrapped up a prolonged search effort. Records present Clemson engaged nationwide govt search agency Funk Associates in December, paying at the least $235,890.58 in consulting and search charges between December 2025 and June 2026.

The nationwide search generated 77 candidates. Search committee members interviewed a number of candidates and superior three finalists: Guskiewicz and two inner tutorial leaders, Anand Gramopadhye and Cynthia Young.

Three days after Guskiewicz backed out, the Board of Trustees named Dr. Benjamin Ayers as president. Ayers was not among the many three publicly introduced finalists.

“This doesn’t look like there was full disclosure,” Carpenter mentioned. “If I were one of the two candidates that didn’t get selected and then apparently wasn’t even considered when round two came around to select the president, I’d be pretty upset about that… thinking, well, I’ve got a one in three chance, and in reality, maybe you had a zero in three chance and you were simply put in there for appearance’s sake.”

A Clemson spokesperson defined that Ayers had been concerned early within the analysis course of.

“Dr. Ayers was part of this search from early on and was highly regarded throughout the process,” the spokesperson mentioned. “He was not among the finalists named publicly because he had stepped back from consideration before the final decision was made.”

The college didn’t present an actual timeline for when Ayers returned to the method after the varsity’s first selection turned down the job.

Clemson famous that state tax {dollars} weren’t used to finance the search, flights, or candidate hospitality, stating all associated expenditures have been funded totally by means of personal donations.

Full Statement from Clemson University:

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