The nails are hammered in, the wood is cut and the roof is shingled. Over the last eight days, a house has been being built on the campus at Clemson.
Jon Goyert is a supervisor, and one of the hundreds of volunteers hard at work.
“We don’t get paid in money. We get paid in knowledge that we’re doing good stuff," Goyert said.
And that’s what it's about. This is the 30th “Habitat for Humanity” house constructed at Clemson. The structure will go to a local family in need.
Ashley Henthorn just graduated in the spring. This is her third time being a part of the homecoming week tradition.
“It’s great to help the community, help a family out and have fun doing it," Henthorn said. "It’s awesome to be out on the field watching all the fraternities build their floats. To be on the middle of campus, I just had someone ask me why I’m out here building a house."
A couple hundred yards away, the homecoming floats were getting their final touches. But while those will be torn down, the home will stand. It's a staple event on the campus, started in 1994.
“An art student and a construction science student felt like they wanted to do something for homecoming that wouldn’t be thrown away," Bob Hogan said.
As the advisor for the student chapter of Habitat for Humanity, Hogan has seen thousands of students step in to hammer nails over the years. It’s a unique homecoming tradition, but one that will make a difference well after the weekend comes to an end.
“When they come back for homecoming, they come by the house. They say, 'Yeah, I worked on it as a student.' I love the tradition, and it keeps us connected to all those people," Hogan said.
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Special tradition at Clemson lasts long after homecoming weekend
Homecoming build returns to Bowman Field for 30th Habitat for Humanity house
