CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson University President James P. Clements praised faculty and staff for a successful year at the semester-ending General Faculty Meeting Tuesday.
“I love looking into the eyes of our graduates and wondering what they will do with their lives, all the while thankful for our faculty and staff who helped to make that day possible for our students,” Clements said, “so thank you for helping those students achieve their dreams so that they can go out and make a positive difference in the world.”
Sharing highlights from the year, Clements said:
- Undergraduate applications were up 12 percent to a record 26,000 this year. That compares to 19,000 in 2013.
- In-state applicants’ average SAT score is nearly 1300 and ACT score is 29 and out-of-state SAT scores are nearly 1350 and ACT is 30.4.
- Research activity has been growing, with the value of proposals submitted in 2016 totaling $513 million, up from $386 million in 2013, a nearly 33 percent increase of $127 million.
- Ground was broken for a building the Greenville Health System is constructing for Clemson’s Center for Nursing, Health Innovation and Research, which will allow expansion of the School of Nursing.
- The new building for the Center for Human Genetics opened at the Greenwood Genetics Center, providing more room for research and study.
- Last week, the state approved plans to build a new College of Business building north of Walter T. Cox Boulevard.
- Approximately 1,600 people attended last month’s Men of Color National Summit, which focused on reducing the achievement gap for young men of color and opening educational and career opportunities for them.
Clements also cited academic achievements of students this year, including a record 42 who won or were finalists in national scholarship competitions.
“I believe these students honestly have the potential to make a difference in the world and that would not be possible without the work that you do,” he said.
Before the faculty meeting, students, faculty and staff were recognized at the University Awards Ceremony:
- Elizabeth Rhodes, an anthropology major from Beaufort, received the Norris Medal, which honors one graduating senior who exemplifies the best qualities in a Clemson scholar.
- Melissa A. McCullough, electrical and communication services coordinator in the bioengineering department, was awarded the Frank A. Burtner Award for Excellence in Advising.
- The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award was presented to Caroline Hensley, a health science major from Waxhaw, North Carolina, in recognition of her “influence for good, excellence in maintaining high ideals of living and genuine and distinguished service to others.”
- The Godley-Snell Award for Excellence in Agricultural Research went to entomology professor Jeremy Greene of the Edisto Research and Education Center in Blackville.
- The Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievements in Research was presented to Mashrur “Ronnie” Chowdhury, Eugene Douglas Mays Professor of Transportation and professor of civil engineering, automotive engineering and computer science.
- Marketing lecturer Carter McElveen received the Alumni Master Teacher Award.
- The Bradley Award for Mentoring in Creative Inquiry went to Vladimir Reukov, research assistant professor in bioengineering.
- The Centennial Professorship Award was given to horticulture professor Guido Schnabel.
— John Gouch, Media Relations, Clemson University
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