At the ending of WW2 many servicemen returned to their home state of South Carolina equipped with a new perspective on life and access to the GI Bill. It is believed that the influx of returning veterans fueled Clemson's transformation to a Civilian Institution based on the returning veterans wanting to acquire an education. Armed now with funding for education, it is believed the return of veterans fueled the need for more educational offerings. While the theory is plausible, there are other factors that also possibly led to the need for the transformation to allow civilian students to enter Clemson. A shift from an agricultural economic climate throughout much of the state along with the emergence of women as students at Clemson. Desegregated schools were also declared unconstitutional in 1954. All of these factors indicate there were many contributing influences to Clemson becoming a civilian institution. This collection focuses on the time period 1945 - 1955.
