Mentally strong: Psychology graduate perseveres as Clemson leader in the face of personal tragedy

Mental health has long been a passion for graduating senior Morgan Dailey. She's had first-hand experience with the challenges it can present.

Just two weeks into her freshman year at Clemson, tragedy struck Dailey's family. Her mother JoDee succumbed to a brain disease and passed away on Sept. 3, 2021.

"As a college student away from home for the first time and as an only child, it rocked my world," she admits. "But as I look back on my time at Clemson, it's been special because I've been able to follow in her footsteps. I can't imagine spending my undergraduate years any other way - it's been purposeful."

Dailey learned of her mother's terminal diagnosis as a seventh grader in Greenville, South Carolina. Ultimately, she sought help from a counseling professional. As the disease progressed, she leaned heavily on her father, Todd.

"He's been my rock," says Dailey, whose parents both graduated from Clemson in 1992. "My dad gave me my mom's Clemson ring. I wore it at my Ring Ceremony, and I'll wear it proudly this week during Commencement."

Clemson is the tie that's bound her close-knit family together. She's graduating Thursday morning with a bachelor's degree in psychology.

Dailey plans to continue following her passion. She's in the process of applying to mental health counseling graduate school programs across the Southeast. But as she prepares for the next step, it's impossible to ignore the impact she's had at Clemson.

Over the past couple of years, she's presided over a mental health initiative known as If You're Reading This (IYRT), an online letter-writing platform that focuses on the well-being of students, faculty, staff and others affiliated with Clemson.

She first heard about the initiative when she read a letter posted by Head Football Coach Dabo Swinney. Since that time, she's helped solicit letters of encouragement from the likes of President Jim Clements, organizations such as the Interfraternity Council, student-athletes and even a current parent. Clemson was named 2023-24 National Chapter of the Year out of 27 universities with an IYRT chapter.

"Last year, we grew exponentially and launched 30 different letters," she says. "My heart throughout the purpose of this platform is for every individual - whether you're a student, employee or alumni - to see someone they know and read their story."

This fall, IYRT became a registered student organization. Dailey says the new status helped IYRT obtain funding and allowed for partnerships with groups such as Fraternity and Sorority Life Wellness Advocates and Undergraduate Student Senate. Her hope is the organization will expand and continue to fulfill its purpose and mission at Clemson, long after she leaves.

"It's opened a lot of new doors," she says. "I'm excited to see it continue to grow and have been grateful to be at a University that prioritizes things like mental health."

Also beyond the classroom, one of Dailey's most valuable experiences took place in the spring when she completed a clinical psychology practicum at a psychiatric hospital in nearby Anderson. She says the experience was formulative for her specific passion of inpatient hospitalization.

"I'm trying to keep an open mind for what I want to do, but I am intrigued by the relationships you can build as a counselor with your patients," she says.

Relationships have been an important part of Dailey's Clemson experience. As a junior, she became a Panhellenic Recruitment counselor to help first-year students with not only finding the right sorority home, but also with the transition to Clemson in general.

The Panhellenic Recruitment process is an intense one that now takes place in the span of a week, culminating with bid day prior to the start of Fall classes.

"You jump right into it as soon as you're dropped off on campus," Dailey says. "You're adjusting to being away from home, meeting new friends and going through this process. I was fortunate to have a very loving and supportive Pi Chi (Recruitment counselor) and sought that same opportunity as a junior and senior."

This fall, she helped lead a record number of Panhellenic new members to their new homes - her favorite part of being a counselor. She's spent time with mentees by going on walks or meeting up for coffee.

"Both of my experiences as a Pi Chi broadened my perspective to the Panhellenic community. I've met incredible individuals from all chapters, and it's given me sweet relationships. It's a physically and emotionally exhausting process for everyone involved, but every ounce is worth it."

Dailey has also volunteered her time through an organization called Alzheimer's Buddies, where she spends time in local memory care units completing puzzles and painting pictures with members of the elder generation. For her, it's another way to give back to a University and community that's given her so much.

"It's been really cool to see how much Clemson has grown me as a person," she says. "I'm really thankful for the experiences it's provided me that I'll take forward into the rest of my schooling and life."

As she prepares to hear her name called as a graduate from the Class of 2024, Dailey expects the milestone moment to evoke a range of emotions.

"Even though my mom is not with us, I know she'll be looking down on me and will be very proud of my journey."