Board Member Spotlight
Michael Coakley ’91, P’23*
After earning a bachelor’s degree in management from Clemson in 1991, Michael joined the C.J. Coakley Company Co., Inc. and then rose through the ranks to become its co-president. Today, the family-owned business that started in 1962 is a full-service interior contractor and one of the largest drywall companies in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
As co-president, Michael manages major construction projects that include many at iconic national landmarks such as the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon, the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. The company received a special commendation from the Department of Defense for work on rebuilding the part of the Pentagon that was damaged on 9/11.
Among his many volunteer roles for Clemson, Michael is a longtime leader of the Baltimore/Washington, DC Clemson Club, which also serves northern Virginia. He was the club’s co-president for 11 years (2000-2011) and has co-chaired its regional board of directors since 2012. He has served the Clemson Alumni Association on its alumni council and board of directors.
He is a member of the Clemson Legacy Society, which honors donors who have included Clemson in their estate plans, and the 1889 Vision Society, which honors donors for significant cumulative giving. He has made annual gifts for academics since he graduated and was an inaugural member of the President’s Leadership Circle.
Michael and his wife, Beth, have a son, Neil, who graduated from Clemson in December 2023, and two daughters, Lauren and Evelyn.
* This information was taken from the Clemson Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award website.
Upcoming Events
See AllMilitary Appreciation at Arlington Cemetery
Military Appreciation at Arlington Cemetery
March 7
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9:00 am
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12:00 pm
Gather with fellow Tigers to honor Clemson’s fallen heroes who are interred at Arlington National Cemetery. We will gather as a whole group for opening remarks then break into small groups to visit 4-5 grave sites. The group will gather again for closing remarks and a Roll Call performed by Clemson Cadets in the Amphitheater.
There will be a reception from 11:00am – 1:00pm with light food and beverages at the Military Women’s Museum at the entrance to Arlington Cemetery.
Member pricing for the reception is $25 and non-member pricing is $40. Club members may purchase up to 1 additional ticket a member pricing.
Clemson's MiSTERS in DC
Clemson's MiSTERS in DC
March 18
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6:00 pm
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8:00 pm
Founded in 2000, the Call Me MiSTER® (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) program was created to inspire minority young men to pursue meaningful careers in education. What began as a partnership between Clemson University and three other institutions has grown into a national success, now spanning more than 75 colleges and universities. Through academic support, tuition assistance, and job placement, Call Me MiSTER is transforming lives and shaping the future of education.
This March, our Club is proud to help host Call Me MiSTER Director Mark Joseph, a former MiSTER himself, along with several current students as they visit DC during Clemson’s spring break. Alumni, parents, and students are invited to join us for a special evening reception on Wednesday, March 18 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington to meet Mark and the MiSTERs while hearing first hand stories of their success and celebrating the program’s incredible impact.
Registration is just $7 for Club members (who may bring three guests at this rate) and $20 for non-members and includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and soft drinks, along with complimentary valet parking.
Learn more about the Call Me MiSTER program here.
