Gift of $2.5M to support Clemson College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences

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Clemson University has received a $2.5 million gift to the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences from Mitch and Carla Norville of Greenville.

 It is the first Academic Cornerstone gift for the college and the eighth for the university, according to a news release.

“Mitch and Carla have served Clemson in many ways through the years,” Clemson President Jim Clements said in the news release. “Their leadership and generous gifts have already made a difference in both academics and athletics.”

The gift will support student scholarships, endowed professorships and facilities in the college, the release said.

“Great talent, exceptional facilities and cutting-edge programming leading to impactful experiences are the three ingredients for success in academia,” Anand Gramopadhye, dean of the college, said in the news release.  “The Norvilles’ gift brings together all three. I thank Mitch and Carla for their forward-thinking generosity. As our first Academic Cornerstone partners, they are paving the way for others.”

Past contributions from the Norvilles include a gift to the Ernest R. Norville Endowed Chair in Biomedical Engineering and contributions to IPTAY, including the Norville Family Gate at the West End Zone of Memorial Stadium and the basketball program.

“We wanted to make a gift that would provide meaningful impact to all the current CECAS priorities for students, faculty and facilities,” Mitch Norville said in the release, referring to the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences. “In addition, we are hopeful that our gift will inspire others to join us in supporting CECAS and Clemson University at this level.”

Mitch Norville, a 1980 Clemson graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering, served as executive vice president and chief operating officer for Boston Properties Inc., an owner, manager and developer of Class-A office properties, until 2012, the release said. In 2015, he started Atlantic South Development Inc.