Current Exhibitions in Cooper Library
Clemson From Above: A Bird’s-Eye View of a Changing Campus
Featuring images from the Clemson University Libraries’ Special Collections and Archives, and Clemson Photo Services, this exhibit uses aerial photography to demonstrate the changing physical landscape of the campus and surrounding area. This exhibit records change over time by grouping together photographs taken from similar angles but spread across different points in time. From the earliest photographs of campus taken from atop buildings and water towers in the early 20th century, to the most recent images captured by unmanned aerial drones, this exhibit illustrates Clemson University’s continual growth and modernization.
“The Pinnacle of Tiger Spirit:” 50 Years of the First Friday Parade
The fourth exhibit case in the 4th Floor Lobby of Cooper Library celebrates the 50th anniversary of the First Friday Parade, a student-led tradition that dates back to 1974. The first parade, the “Wreck Tech Parade,” was organized by the brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha and held before the first home football game of the 1974 football season, a matchup versus Georgia Tech. The fraternity hoped to boost student support of a football team coming off of 6 consecutive losing students. The annual parade quickly became one of the most highly anticipated events for students and the local Clemson community alike. This exhibit utilizes photographs from the past 50 years to demonstrate the similarities and changes to a tradition that remains one of the most celebrated events at Clemson University.