This year, the Best Campus ‘Celebrity’ category has been a bit more competitive compared to previous editions of The Tiger’s Best of Clemson, with nominations including Anna Coker, Tanner Smith, Mr. Wein and more up for the award. Despite the competition, Buddy the dog and his owner, Dave Eckstein, swept the votes for the third consecutive year.
The pair is known across Clemson’s campus and community as sunshine on a cloudy day. Stopping to pet the English Labrador and chat with his owner sitting outside Daniel Hall or walking by the Reflection Pond has become one of the best parts of being a Clemson student over the past several years.
“I always think it’s silly to want him to win, but I do, you know … I just think he’s a good dog,” Eckstein told The Tiger in an interview, adding that, to him, the win confirms that he and Buddy are still having an impact at Clemson.
Eckstein and Buddy began making their treks around campus after both were told by their doctors that they needed to better manage their weight. Eckstein said it was boring to just walk around his neighborhood, so the two started making the journey to Clemson’s campus — a 35-mile round trip.
Eckstein said that since he and Buddy made their campus debut in 2022, students have grown more comfortable saying hello and interacting with them. He attributes part of this increase in popularity to Buddy’s newly established Instagram page.
“The students were all like, Buddy needs to get in there,” Eckstein said.
Eckstein was hesitant at first, saying that he’s gone without Instagram for so long that he doesn’t need to do it now. However, he finally changed his mind in November 2024 — and it’s blown up.
This past fall, Buddy had 2,500 followers. Now, Eckstein has surpassed 7,100. However, he is very selective with Buddy’s followers and only admits current Clemson students.
“This is about campus … it’s private, and to the best of my ability, it’s Clemson students only,” he told The Tiger. And since admissions letters went out for the fall 2026 freshman class, he’s received over 100 follow requests.
Mentions of Eckstein and Buddy have even made it to Clemson University Guide Association campus tours, which showcase the University to prospective students and their families. One tour guide told Eckstein that CUGA guides now add a tidbit about Buddy’s impact on Clemson in every tour.
This year, Eckstein is planning on hosting more events, specifically following the great success of Buddy’s first-ever Clemson birthday party in November 2025, which saw over 200 attendees. He said plans are already in the works for Buddy’s eighth birthday party this coming November.
The two also attended the 2025 Clemson Panhellenic Dance Battle, and are slated to judge the Lip Sync Battle — a philanthropy event supporting Girls on the Run Local Council and The Gamma Phi Beta Foundation — on March 10.
One of Eckstein’s favorite things about visiting campus is the students’ great attitudes and energy.
“You guys are upbeat, and you got a good sense of humor,” he said. “And I love that.”
Eckstein initially thought that, by starting something like what he’s established with Buddy, he would receive a certain amount of negative reaction. However, the two have experienced almost complete positivity, he said.
“If it wasn’t a pleasant experience, we wouldn’t be doing it. And I can guarantee you, I say this every time someone asks, we get way more than we give,” he told The Tiger. “This is a win-win … it’s sustainable.”
Eckstein and his wife’s son initially went to Clemson, and the two stayed near the area because Eckstein was a member of the Parents’ Council Advisory Board. He then began serving on the Clemson Community Coalition, which he chaired for about four or five years.
@daveandbuddy (Instagram)