Sumter Area Clemson Club to hold celebration send-off for freshmen

A downtown educational building will turn orange today as the Tiger community celebrates and sends off 59 college freshmen and Bridge students.

The Sumter Area Clemson Club will honor Clemson's Class of 2023 from Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Carolina Technical College Health Sciences Building, which is located at 111 S. Main St. in downtown Sumter. Doors will open at 6 p.m.

Admission is free for those who wear something orange.

The annual send-off, which will feature burgers and hot dogs, top-level Clemson officials, a visit from the Clemson Tiger Cub and gifts of recognition from club members, is intended to congratulate and encourage students who plan to spend the next four or five years in Tiger Town pursuing a bachelor's degree.

Local alums recognize it is more difficult in 2019 to earn an acceptance letter from Clemson than it was just a few years ago, according to a news release. Only about 10% of students who apply today are accepted.

For more information on the event, contact Ben Griffith at (803) 460-6800.