DATE: September 20, 2007
CONTACT: Robert Geolas, 864-283-7101
geolas@clemson.edu
CONTACT: Velda Hughes, 864-271-0718
veldah@hughesagency.org
WRITER: Sandy Woodward, 864-656-1220
sandra@clemson.edu
The South Financial Group Foundation investment to fund CU-ICAR gallery
CLEMSON — A $1.5-million investment by Carolina First, through The South Financial Group Foundation, will provide a unique gallery setting in the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) for the public display of international automotive visual arts, innovative research initiatives and other exhibits.
Carolina First Chairman and CEO Mack Whittle and Clemson President James F. Barker
The Carolina First Gallery also will serve as a focal point for welcoming and entertaining guests and will provide a space for events and announcements.
The Carolina First Gallery will be located in Innovation Place in Technology Neighborhood One of the CU-ICAR complex. Innovation Place will serve as the official welcome point for visitors and, in addition to the Carolina First Gallery, will house the CU-ICAR offices, a cafe, a parking garage and a fitness center. The complex opens onto the Collaboration Plaza, and the flexible space creates a welcoming environment for both indoor and outdoor activities.
The Carolina First Gallery’s neighbors in Technology Neighborhood One include the Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Graduate Engineering Center, the BMW Information Technology Research Center and Timken’s worldwide powertrain research and development center.
“We are very grateful for Carolina First’s generous support in what will be one of the most public aspects of CU-ICAR,” said Clemson University President James F. Barker.
“This is just the latest example of Carolina First’s involvement in and support of CU-ICAR. They have been an active and enthusiastic participant from the beginning.”
“We are honored to be a partner with CU-ICAR for the Carolina First Gallery,” said Mack Whittle, chairman, president and CEO of The South Financial Group. “CU-ICAR is an outstanding example of our community’s initiative, partnerships and achievements, and Carolina First is proud not only to be a part of this innovative project but also a future neighbor.”
Carolina First CEO Mack Whittle and Clemson President James F. Barker
According to CU-ICAR Executive Director Bob Geolas, the gallery already has generated interest.
“The community is aware that we have this great space available and we have had many calls in anticipation of its availability,” he said. “We are very excited about being able to use the Carolina First Gallery for a variety of community events and activities and see it as a great way to share CU-ICAR with the public. We thank Carolina First for providing what we believe will become a very popular gathering place.”
About Carolina First/The South Financial Group: The South Financial Group is the largest publicly traded bank-holding company headquartered in South Carolina and ranks among the top 50 U.S. commercial bank-holding companies in total assets. On June 30, 2007, it had approximately $14.1 billion in total assets. TSFG operates two primary subsidiary banks: Carolina First Bank and Mercantile Bank, which conduct operations through 171 branch offices in South Carolina, North Carolina and Florida. Carolina First Bank, the largest South Carolina-based commercial bank, operates in South Carolina, North Carolina and on the Internet under the brand name Bank CaroLine. Mercantile Bank operates in select Florida markets. The South Financial Group's common stock trades on the NASDAQ under the symbol TSFG. Press releases along with additional information also may be found at The South Financial Group’s web site: www.thesouthgroup.com.
About CU-ICAR: The Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research is a new model for economic development in South Carolina, matching Clemson’s strengths in automotive engineering with the state’s strong automotive economic cluster. Located in the heart of the Interstate 85 corridor, midway between Charlotte, N.C., and Atlanta, Ga., CU-ICAR is ideally situated in the Southeastern automotive and motorsports economy.
CU-ICAR is a 250-acre “technopolis” where BMW, Michelin, Timken, Sun Microsystems and other corporate partners are joining with Clemson to focus on automotive research and other transportation issues. BMW and Timken have research facilities on the CU-ICAR campus and others are anticipated.
The state of South Carolina is also a key partner, having created legislation to support economic development and innovation. For example, the Research Centers of Economic Excellence Endowed Chairs Program matches private funding to recruit top faculty. CU-ICAR has four endowed chairs created through the program. Those faculty members will form the lead academic team for the nation’s only master’s and doctoral degree programs in automotive engineering housed in Clemson’s Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Graduate Engineering Center, scheduled to open this fall on the CU-ICAR campus. The center features state-of-the-art research, testing and educational facilities in an environment that allows students and faculty to interact daily with industry researchers.
