Now in its fifth year, Clemson's Alumni Fellows program recognizes outstanding graduates for their professional and personal achievements. Each academic college selects its alumni fellows and invites them to return to campus and share their experiences with students. This year's festivities are scheduled for Friday, Jan. 24, culminating with a banquet at the Madren Conference Center.

"The Alumni Fellows program allows us to show our appreciation to successful alumni like Joe Erwin and bring them to Clemson University's campus to give our current students and faculty a chance to share in their success," said Tenneil Moody, director of Clemson Alumni Career Services.

A 1979 Clemson graduate with a political science degree, Erwin worked for ad agencies in Greenville and New York before he and his wife, Gretchen, purchased Greenville's Penland Advertising in 1986. The couple built the firm from a two-person shop into South Carolina's largest full-service marketing agency, offering advertising, public relations, interactive, events/trade show management and strategic planning services. Adweek ranked EP the Southeast's fastest-growing ad agency in 2001, and the firm became the first in the state to pass $100 million in billings during 2002.

Erwin is also founder and chairman of First Base Ventures, South Carolina's first private new-business incubator - a firm whose goal is to help entrepreneurial teams develop from the business plan stage to become successful companies. He is also active in numerous civic organizations throughout the state including Palmetto Boys State, the Governor's Commission on Teacher Quality, Clemson University Entrepreneurs' Roundtable, Greenville Tech's Entrepreneurs' Forum, Greater Greenville Forum, and the Board of Directors for both the Historic Greenville Foundation and the South Carolina Special Olympics.

A staunch community advocate, Erwin has also directed the talents and resources of the 110-person firm to produce the United Way of Greenville County's Annual Campaign video and materials for the past six years. The agency also provides ongoing pro bono support to the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, and is a driving force behind efforts to build Imagine Nation - the Children's Museum of the Upstate.

"I am thrilled to be recognized as an Alumni Fellow by Clemson University," stated Erwin. "It's a great opportunity not only for me to give back to my alma mater, but also for Clemson's students and faculty to tap into the experience and resources of many of its successful graduates."

About Erwin-Penland Inc.

Based in Greenville, S.C., Erwin-Penland Inc. (www.erwinpenland.com) is a full-service, strategic marketing communications firm that provides advertising, conference and event planning, interactive marketing, public relations and research services to regional and national clients. The agency has more than $105 million in annual capitalized billings and is a member of the American Association of Advertising Agencies, one of the advertising industry's most powerful and prestigious professional organizations.

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