Henry Aubrey Strode (February 6, 1844 – September 1, 1898) was an American academic and school administrator who served as the first president of Clemson University.

In 1872 he married Mildred Powell Ellis, purchased Kenmore Farm from her grandfather, and started a prep school on site.

[2] In 1889, the South Carolina Legislature accepted Thomas Green Clemson's bequest to start an institute of higher learning.

[3] Strode's first tasks were overseeing the construction of campus, beginning analysis of fertilizer for sale in South Carolina, and starting the state Experiment Farm.

Mark Bernard Hardin was hired as chief chemist and professor of chemistry, followed the next year by Richard Newman Brackett.