About — Clemson House

The People

We are building a diverse team excited about impacting the Clemson University community and the wider Upstate South Carolina area. Clemson House is the work of a growing collaborative — students, alumni, parents, and neighbors who believe this campus and town are worth investing in together.

There's room for many hands (paws?) here.

Below are the teams we're currently assembling — each one a different way to help build Clemson House from the ground up. If one looks like a fit, reach out through the contact form and we'll follow up.

Steering Committee

7-10 MEMBERS

A team of alumni and Clemson community members who guide the decision-making process throughout the first year.
Board of Trustees

3-5 MEMBERS

A small fiduciary board responsible for the legal and financial stewardship of Clemson House.
Launch Team

30-40 HOUSEHOLDS

A founding group of households committing early prayer, presence, and support to help Clemson House take root in its first year.
Launch Director

MACRAE HANKE

The first full-time staff member serving as the primary operational and relational leader supporting the launch and early development of Clemson House.
Board of Advisors

20-25 MEMBERS
A diverse group offering counsel and expertise across ministry, business, and higher education, convening starting Fall 2026.
Parent's Council

20 SETS OF PARENTS
Current Clemson parents who bring a caregiver's perspective to Clemson House, helping shape it into a true home away from home for students.
Young Alumni Council

GRADUATED WITHIN LAST 5 YEARS
Recent graduates who will stay connected to campus through mentoring and limited programming who can speak with firsthand knowledge of Clemson's current culture. Created to be an example to current students imagining life after Clemson.
Student Leadership Committee

OPEN TO CURRENT STUDENTS
Students who help navigate university administration and student organization requirements, keeping Clemson House connected to campus from the inside.

Mission

To be a place of collaborative and authentic hospitality where the Clemson community witnesses faith in action.

Statement of Faith

Clemson House is a Christian Study Center firmly rooted in the historic Christian faith. Our work is grounded in the conviction that God has revealed Himself finally and fully in the person and work of Jesus Christ, and that this truth is faithfully and authoritatively set forth in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.

Our Ministry Partners

We're grateful not to be doing this alone. Clemson House exists alongside, not instead of, the campus ministries and local churches already faithfully at work here in Clemson.

The Name

The Clemson House was originally a hotel on Clemson's campus, constructed in 1950. Overlooking the campus, it quickly became a favorite gathering place for students, alumni, parents, faculty, and visitors — a role it held for generations. In 1972 it was converted into an all-female dormitory, and by 1982 it housed co-ed and Honors College students. Even after the conversion, permanent residents remained — neighbors who loved on the students around them. Many alumni still remember them fondly, baking cookies and welcoming students into their homes.

Clemson House was demolished in 2017 to make room for the business school. It is with great care that we give this name new life. By reclaiming it, we honor an important part of Clemson's heritage while giving it renewed purpose. Once again, Clemson House will be a place of welcome and hospitality.