The Forum Club at Clemson College was organized in early 1929 through the impetus of H.C. Bearley and Gene Parker. The aim of the club, as stated in its constitution, is "to provide an open forum for discussion by the members of topics of general interest." The club has only twenty members at any one time and membership is by invitation alone. When vacancies occured, the members vote by written ballot, without nominations, until someone receives three-fourths of the total vote cast.

Thirteen men met on January 9, 1929 at the first organizational meeting and chose A.G. Holmes as temporary chairman and Gene Parker as secretary. The first full meeting of the club took place on February 4, 1929. The membership adopted the name "The Forum Club", as well as its constitution; since that time the Forum Club has met for over fifty years. Its membership has included many well-known members of the Clemson community, such as Ben Robertson, Jr., John Lane, A.B. Bryan, George Aull, Claud Green, and James E. Ward. The longevity of the Club is a tribute to its simple purpose, since it has no dues, no social activities, or dinners. It meets every other Monday to discuss topics chosen by each week's speakers. The club still functions on campus, though our records cover only until the end of the 1970's.