Tigers in the Archive

In this episode, Dr. Tara Wood interviews her colleague, Sean Baker, the Exhibits and Artifacts Curator for Clemson's Special Collections and Archives. As with many who work in Special Collections, Baker comes to Clemson with an interesting background and experience. Baker reflects on his work, the challenges, and the fun of creating exhibits from the archives for the public to enjoy; all while protecting and preserving the artifacts so that future generations may enjoy them as well. Join us as we dive into the stories behind the exhibits and a deep dive into the artifacts! If you have questions about the exhibits and artifacts, please email Sean Baker at archives@clemson.edu

This episode highlights two batches of researchers visiting the Clemson Special Collections and Archives. This summer, during June of 2025, the archives welcomed a fun and curious set of middle and elementary school students from the Clemson area to participate in a week-long camp hosted by the Woodland Cemetery Historic Preservation Project, directed by Dr. Rhondda Thomas. The camp offered the students the chance to “uncover” the school’s history all over campus. Part 1, featuring the middle schoolers, starts at 1:00, and Part 2, featuring the elementary school students, starts at  25:45Edited by: Sahara Scott

We’re kicking off Season 2 by turning the tables! In this episode, guest host Sahara Scott interviews Tigers in the Archive creator and Instruction & Outreach Archivist, Dr. Tara Wood. From her journey to Clemson and her vision for archival instruction to the challenges and triumphs of launching a podcast, Dr. Wood reflects on her work, research, and what’s ahead for Season 2. Join us as we dive into the story behind the stories—and hear from the person who started it all.Edited by: Sahara Scott

Dr. Harold E. Cheatham received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University in 1961, a Master of Arts degree from Colgate University in 1969, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1973. Dr. Cheatham is recognized as a pioneer in multicultural counseling, receiving numerous awards and honors during his career. In 2012, Cheatham was inducted into the Society of Distinguished Alumni of Pennsylvania State University. In this episode, I discuss the long, circuitous path Dr. Cheatham took to Clemson University. He came to Clemson in 1996 as Dean of the College of Health, Education, and Human Development and Professor of Counseling and Education Leadership. He retired in 2001 and was elected Founding Dean Emeritus of the Emeritus College at Clemson. Edited by: Sahara Scott

In this episode, we hear from Teri Alexander. Teri recently retired from a 37 years-long career with the Clemson University Libraries. Teri held a variety of positions with the libraries but concluded her career as Director or Learning Environments at Clemson Libraries. Teri managed all aspects of the physical environments of the libraries—particularly Cooper Library. Her career spans the massive changes in enrollment, technologies, services, and spaces that developed over those decades. Enjoy an insider’s view of the storied history of Clemson’s libraries from someone who devoted herself to and loved the library that makes Clemson great! Edited by: Sahara Scott

This episode brings a new group of researchers to the Clemson Special Collections and Archives. On June 21, 2024, the archives welcomed a fun and curious set of middle school students from the Clemson area to participate in a week-long camp hosted by the Woodland Cemetery Historic Preservation Project, directed by Dr. Rhondda Thomas. The camp offered the students the chance to “uncover” the school’s history all over campus. Edited by: Sahara Scott

In this episode, Tara Wood chats with Dr. Otis Pickett, the University Historian for Clemson University. The discussion covers Dr. Pickett’s love of archives and the materials he has used in his research and in his work with students, faculty, alumni, and others. The two share their enthusiasm for archival work and their passion for making archives accessible to all of the Clemson communities whose history is found in the archives. Edited by: Sahara Scott

This episode is part 2 of Tara Wood's conversation with Dr. Rhondda Thomas about working in archives and her project "Call My Name" https://callmyname.org/ Edited by: Sahara Scott

This two-part episode of the Tigers in the Archive podcast features Dr. Rhondda Thomas, leader of the Call My Name project, shedding light on the role of African Americans in the university's history. https://callmyname.org/

Dr. Tara Wood chats with Clemson Tiger Band alumni, Mark & Mindy Durham. They reminisce about band traditions and their deep love for Clemson that has kept them coming back over 40 years later!

This episode features a chat with Grainger McKoy ('69), his wife Floride McKoy, and their granddaughter, Hannah Griffith ('25) about their history and legacy with Clemson University that dates back to a great-great-grandfather, I.W. Bull and the class of 1906. Grainger McKoy is a Clemson alum, but also a nationally-known artist specializing in truly life-like carved wooden sculptures of birds. Enjoy their wonderful stories!

The episode is a conversation between Tara Wood and Nancy Spitler, the recently retired editor of Clemson World magazine, as they looked at 10 unusual items in the archives. Spitler and Wood highlighted the items in their story written for the Fall 2023 issue of Clemson World titled “History in Your Hands.”