ClemsonLIFE graduates will receive custom blazers this spring from local alumni for the second consecutive year.
Ward Carson, who graduated from Clemson in 1993, is the owner of Pearce Bespoke Charlotte, which “offers a private, tailored experience for clients who expect more.” The company is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The company delivers “a new suiting experience” with in-home fittings, made-to-measure attire and quick delivery, all backed by a “Perfect Fit Guarantee,” according to its website.
Carson studied political science and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity during his time at Clemson.
His wife, Kelly Axford Carson, also graduated in 1993 with a degree in business and was a member of the sorority Delta Delta Delta.
When the Carsons were looking for a way to give back to the community, they originally planned to work with a charitable organization in Charlotte.
However, the two’s son, Will Carson, had an even better idea.
“Why don’t you do something closer to home? Have you thought about ClemsonLIFE?” Will told his father at the time. Will graduated in 2024 with a degree in business and was a member of the fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho. He now serves as a custom clothier for Pearce Bespoke Charlotte, in addition to his role in an HR firm.
From there, Carson connected with the director of ClemsonLIFE, Erica Walters, by his fraternity brother, Bubba Britton.
Now, the Carsons and Pearce Bespoke Charlotte are in their second year of designing and fitting custom jackets for ClemsonLIFE students. They visited campus back in February to collect measurements and meet the students who would be receiving jackets this year.
Charlie McGee, a senior in the ClemsonLIFE program, joined PKA in the fall of 2024. His story went viral across many national news networks, including the TODAY show.
“Anybody in (my) fraternity … is literally … a brother to me,” McGee told The Tiger when asked about his connection to Carson.
Now, McGee is preparing to graduate from Clemson with the skills and confidence to be independent and successful.
“There’s gonna be a lot of challenges you can take … and learn from it and just pass it along to the next person,” McGee said in an interview with The Tiger.
Leaving a positive legacy is just as important to the Carson family.
“It’s really meaningful to us, and it’s one … of my favorite things I look forward to every year is measuring them and then attending their event and presenting those jackets,” Carson said.
Graduates will receive their custom jackets at the annual ClemsonLIFE gala on April 10.
“These are only for the graduates of the ClemsonLIFE program. Nobody else gets one,” Carson continued.
Ward and Kelly Carson have over two decades of experience in their respective industries, insurance and financial services. Now, the pair splits time between Greenville, South Carolina and Edisto Beach, South Carolina.
In addition to Will, the two are parents of current Clemson student Georgia Carson, who is graduating in May with a bachelor’s degree in animal and veterinary science. Georgia is a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority.
Along with their work with ClemsonLIFE, the Carsons also volunteer with First Tee of the Upstate and the Prisma Health Upstate Foundation.
