Schoen Foundation Supports Both Academic and Athletic Programs at Clemson
Schoen Foundation Supports Both Athletic and Academic Programs at Clemson
With strong family ties to both Clemson University and the United States military, The Schoen Foundation has given $2.5M to elevate two important programs at Clemson.
The Schoen Foundation was founded by Sharon Schoen and the late William “Bill” Schoen. It is now guided by their daughter, Karen Schoen Sutton, and the family. Karen, although a UF graduate, became a part of the Clemson family through marriage to Jack “Jay” Sutton Jr., BSME ’84. The Schoen Foundation is a multi-generational, family-led foundation committed to making a difference in education and veterans’ causes.
$1.25M of their commitment will provide financial support to the Office of Military & Veteran Engagement, focusing on efforts to increase career readiness and mental health programming for Clemson’s veteran and military connected students. An additional $1.25M will support student-athlete development concentrating on enhancing leadership skills, networking opportunities, and empowering confidence for Clemson female student-athletes.
“The Schoen Foundation is honored to be a part of advancing the incredible support Clemson provides to veteran and military-connected students. My father was a dedicated Marine Corps veteran that fought in the Korean War. After his service he went on to get his college education with the assistance of the GI Bill and an individual benefactor. This changed the trajectory of his life and that of his family. He felt a true calling to pay it forward.
As the father of three daughters and three granddaughters, he also saw the importance of supporting leadership opportunities for women. He would be very proud to see the Foundation supporting the POWER program at Clemson.”
“We are incredibly grateful to The Schoen Foundation for their outstanding commitment and generosity to Clemson University,” said President Jim Clements. “Our University core values of Integrity, Respect, Diversity, Patriotism, Excellence, and Self-Reliance are at the heart of this amazing gift. And through the Schoen Foundation, the Schoen family will continue to elevate the lives of many of our Tigers for years to come.”
“The Schoen Foundation’s support will help elevate these two programs, enabling us to serve even more veterans and military-connected students and expand the leadership opportunities for student-athletes,” said Brian O’Rourke, Vice President of Advancement.
Schoen Foundation’s support of the Office of Military & Veteran Engagement
Clemson serves more than 1,400 student veterans and military-connected students, and support of these unique students has grown tremendously since the inception of the Office of Military & Veteran Engagement in 2019. M&VE now operates two resource centers — its original space in Vickery Hall along with a 2024 addition on the third floor of Hendrix Student Center — providing a strong sense of community for veterans and military-connected students.
The Schoen Foundation is passionate about assisting veterans and military-connected students in their transition to Clemson. With a desire to create a holistic student experience, they are investing in M&VE to expand career readiness, well-being programs and VA benefits assistance among these students.
Clemson has received acclaim for its wrap-around support of military-connected students in recent years. Last spring, Clemson was ranked No. 7 nationally among Tier 1 research institutions as both a Military Friendly and Military Spouse Friendly School. Clemson has been named to the “Best Colleges for Vets” list by Military Times magazine the past two years and earned Military Friendly Employer status each of the last five years.
Schoen Foundation supports POWER
In line with the Schoen Foundation’s impact mission, education and opportunity are at the forefront of their gift that will be a game-changer for a key program in Clemson Athletics’ Student-Athlete Development program: POWER Women’s Leadership Academy. During the 50th Year of Women’s Athletics at Clemson, The Schoen Foundation’s support will make a transformational impact on female student-athletes.
POWER is a one-of-a-kind program for Clemson female student-athletes and is believed to be one of few in the nation focusing on this area. A new cohort of female student-athletes is chosen each year to join POWER after a rigorous interview and selection process. During the year, cohort members learn and practice leadership throughout a curriculum that culminates in an annual trip where student-athletes exercise their leadership praxis in professional settings.
The generosity of the Schoen Foundation will ensure the success of female student-athletes at Clemson for many years to come. The future of women’s athletics at Clemson University is bright, and the Schoen Family has helped lay the foundation for success in the next 50 years for female student-athletes.