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CONSTRUCTION RAMPS UP

These cranes have been hard at work every day hoisting 35,000-pound exterior panels into place one at a time. With the outside beginning to take shape the Shepherd Hotel is quickly becoming a reality!

CLEMSON LIFE WORK ROTATIONS

The model room also gives ClemsonLIFE students a place to train to work in the hotel prior to opening. This semester, we were able to host the freshmen work rotations. The purpose of the rotations is to give freshmen the opportunity to experience different industries before choosing their sophomore internships.

We are lucky that each of the freshmen spend three weeks (six days) getting to know what it will be like to work in the hotel. By the time they are making their junior internship decisions, we hope this experience will lead them to work at The Shepherd Hotel.

Of course, testing the room wouldn't be complete without making sure everything we offer is the best standard for our guests, including ensuring we have the most comfortable beds in Pickens County.

SITE VISIT TO METROMONT

On Monday, we had the opportunity to tour the Greenville Metromont Plant alongside ClemsonLIFE students. The Metromont team generously showed the students all aspects of the precast process, from the design docs to where the concrete is poured in the plant. The team used the CMC machine to cut a Clemson Tiger Paw!

The visit culminated in seeing the external walls of the hotel which will be installed later this year. The walls are meticulously colored to match our desired look and feel. It's exciting to imagine what they will look like as they go up in Clemson.

MORE JOBS

Mashburn is one example of ways The Shepherd Hotel and its partners are bringing more jobs for people with disabilities. This is just one of many more jobs to come.

For more information about hiring a ClemsonLIFE student, contact Sarah McAlpine (skudevi@g.clemson.edu) who directs student employment.

OUR JOURNEY

Here we will share stories of the exciting ways we are unleashing the potential of capable people, the unique design elements that will make this hotel feel like home, and the community where our deep roots are beginning to produce fruit.

Our promise is to ensure each person who journeys through our doors experiences real love through our authentic hospitality. Whether you’re a parent exploring Clemson as a college option for your daughter, an eager recruit deciding where to continue your athletic career, or the business traveler closing a big deal with the University – we look forward to welcoming you into our Clemson family.

GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

View a 3-minute highlight reel from our ceremony.

Learn more about the ceremony from from the news outlets below:

Greenville Online

WYFF News 4

WELCOME TO THE SHEPHERD HOTEL

Inspired by his daughter Jamison who has Down syndrome, Rick Hayduk, a seasoned luxury hotel leader, has long aspired to operate a hotel and employ individuals with disabilities as valuable members of the team.

In 2011, Clemson's Head Football Coach, Dabo Swinney, introduced Rick to Rich Davies, a third-generation real estate developer and involved Clemson alum. The two have come together to bring The Shepherd Hotel to life.

Our goal is to approach the employment of individuals with special needs as a business challenge rather than one designated to social services. We aim to create opportunities for an under-engaged portion of the population in a collective, focused environment while providing top-notch service and care to our guests. We have partnered with the ClemsonLIFE program to create part-time roles for students and graduates, and are in the process of creating a Certificate of Hospitality for students who have trained and worked with us.

Welcome to the Shepherd Hotel.