Clemson University has hired a new president to lead the Tigers, and as it turns out, much like their head football coach Dabo Swinney, he has some ties to The University of Alabama.

The Board of Trustees this week unanimously selected Benjamin C. Ayers, Ph.D. as the new University President. Ayers has had a three-decade career in education, beginning as an assistant professor. He has his doctorate from the University of Texas and a Master’s from Alabama.

Most recently, Ayers served as the senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Georgia.

“It is a tremendous honor to be selected to serve as the next president of Clemson University,” Ayers said. “I am grateful to the Board of Trustees and the search committee for its confidence and humbled by the opportunity to join the Clemson Family. Clemson’s tradition of excellence, its commitment to students and its impact through teaching, research and service make it one of the nation’s most respected public universities. I look forward to working alongside our students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters to build upon the strong foundation and shape an even brighter future together.”

He earned his Master’s in Taxation from Alabama, where he also gained national recognition from the American Taxation Association and the American Accounting Association. He went on to serve as president of the American Taxation Association in 2017

It’s just the latest example of UA continuing to have an impact on the rest of the nation.