Following a 30-year tenure at the University of Georgia, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Benjamin C. Ayers has been named president of Clemson University, effective Aug. 1.
“I would like to offer my deepest congratulations to Dr. Ayers on this significant personal and professional milestone and thank him for his extraordinary service to the University of Georgia,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “I am confident he will be an effective president for Clemson, and I wish him much success as he undertakes his new leadership position.”
As UGA’s chief academic officer, Ayers strengthened the university’s excellence in teaching, research, public service and outreach. The deans of the university’s 20 schools and colleges reported to him in addition to the vice presidents for instruction, research, public service and outreach, and information technology. During his tenure as provost, he played a key role in advancing UGA’s most critical initiatives, including the creation of the Victoria Kay Ivester School of Nursing.
Ayers leaves the university poised to continue its upward trajectory as one of America’s leading public institutions. His departure also reinforces UGA’s reputation for developing accomplished academic leaders who are committed to improving lives through public higher education.
Ayers joined the University of Georgia as an assistant professor in 1996 and, after earning the rank of professor and becoming director of the J.M. Tull School of Accounting, served as dean of the C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry College of Business for 11 years.
The Terry College received record private support under Ayers’ leadership. As dean, Ayers spearheaded the construction of the world-class Business Learning Community. In addition, he expanded and renovated the Terry Executive Education Center in Atlanta and secured and renovated Studio 225, home of UGA’s popular student entrepreneurship program and a cornerstone of the UGA Innovation District.
Ayers has earned numerous teaching awards at the school, college and university levels, including the Russell Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. His research, meanwhile, has been recognized with national awards from both the American Taxation Association and the American Accounting Association.
Ayers previously served as president of the American Taxation Association and on the board of directors of Synovus Bank’s Northeast Georgia Division and the board of advisors for the CFO Roundtable.
Ayers earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and his master’s degree in tax accounting from the University of Alabama and his doctorate in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin.