Spring 2006 -- Vol. 59, No. 2

Robert Donald Fairey ’76

For Robbie Fairey, business has been more than a means of supporting his family. It’s been a method of helping others.

Fairey grew up in Orangeburg where he was an accomplished high school athlete. In fact, he turned down an athletic scholarship to the University of South Carolina to attend Clemson.

In 1976, he graduated from Clemson with a degree in building construction. By the age of 26, he had already established his own business — Trident Construction Co. Inc. Trident is one of the largest general contractors in Charleston and has been repeatedly selected as General Contractor of the Year by a peer organization. He’s also a partner in ICR Properties.

A dedicated humanitarian, Fairey supports many projects that benefit children and teens with cancer. Part of his inspiration is in response to the tragic loss of his son Reid at age 12. He constructed the Reid Fairey Athletic Facility for Goose Creek, and he sponsors the Reid Fairey Run-Walk to benefit the Medical University of South Carolina.

Amid career and service, Fairey makes time for Clemson. A 30-year member of IPTAY, active Sigma Nu alumnus and member of Clemson in the Lowcountry, Fairey supports Clemson’s national steel bridge competition and offers internships for current students.

The contribution closest to his heart, however, is the 15,000-square-foot recreational facility — named in his son’s honor — at R.M. Cooper 4-H Leadership Center. The center is owned and operated by the University’s Youth Learning Institute and the Cooperative Extension Service.

Fairey and his wife, Diane, live on Johns Island with their children, Stacy and James.

Frank Kellers III ’57

With all his professional accomplishments and civic involvement, the role that Frank Kellers is best known for is ambassador for Clemson University.

Born in Clinton, Kellers grew up traveling the world as an “army brat.” The son of a Clemson graduate and colonel in the Army Signal Corps, he attended first grade in Missouri, eighth grade in the Philippines and 12th grade in Germany, but to this day he still thinks of South Carolina as home.

After graduating from Clemson with a B.S. in electrical engineering in 1957, he served in the Army Signal Corps where he met and married Sheila Stalk. He returned to civilian life in 1959 and went to work for the Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. in Sunnyvale, Calif. The Kellers, who raised three daughters, Diana, Melanie and Lisa, still make a home there.

During his 32-year career with Lockheed, Kellers distinguished himself as an expert in telemetry, tracking and command systems in the chief systems engineer’s office.

When Kellers retired in 1991, Clemson became his full-time profession. President of the Northern California Clemson Club for the past 21 years, he’s also served as Alumni National Council district director, district member and member-at-large; IPTAY representative and Western regional chairman; and member of the Clemson Admissions team.

In addition, he sponsors the Clemson women’s indoor track Most Valuable Player trophy and manages the Frank Kellers Annual Computer Science Scholarship for TigerNet. The Kellers routinely open their home to Clemson athletic teams. He even established the California Hotline, (408) CLEMSON, to keep everyone informed of Clemson activities happening on the West Coast.

Harry Lloyd Lancaster ’48

Lloyd Lancaster of Charlotte, N.C., is a man of commitment as evidenced by his 52-year marriage, 33-year employment with GE and 55-year IPTAY membership.

Lancaster, who grew up in Port Royal, entered Clemson in the midst of World War II, so he wasn’t surprised when he was called to serve in the U.S. Navy in 1945. The war ended before his Navy training was complete, and he returned home to finish his education.

At Clemson, he was a member of the Senior Platoon, Tiger Platoon, Tiger Brotherhood, The Tiger staff and more. He graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and briefly held two positions before he found his home at General Electric. He married Peggy Spigner, and they had four children — Harry III ’80, Sarah, Thomas and John ’85.

Lancaster’s sales career spanned 16 years in Columbia and 17 more in Charlotte. He was honored with a variety of awards including his most treasured one — “GE is Me” — which he received for his many charitable activities outside the company. When he retired in 1990, community service became his full-time job.

Lancaster has participated in CROP walks for the past 20 years, raising more than $100,000 to fight world hunger. He’s a regular Red Cross platelets donor, and he’s worked with Habitat for Humanity and Appalachia Service Project at home and abroad.

His generous spirit extends to Clemson. A member of the Benefactors of 1889 cumulative giving society, he’s supported the Fort Hill Scholarship, Clemson Corps and Clemson Fund. In 1997, he and Peggy established the Harry Lloyd and Helen Lightsey Lancaster Scholarship Endowment in memory of his parents to benefit mechanical engineering students.

Thomas Charles Mann ’51

The only time Thomas Mann of Greenville was last — at anything — was when he was born.

The youngest of six, Mann showed leadership qualities at an early age. He was captain of the middle-school football team that won the city championship in 1941 and vice president of his senior class at Greenville High.

At Clemson, he was captain of Clemson’s Most Outstanding Cadet Company; secretary of Senior Council; 1951 Distinguished Military Student; and a member of Senior Platoon and Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-med society. He graduated cum laude from Clemson and finished among the top of his class at the Medical University of South Carolina.

In 1956, the U.S. Air Force shipped Mann to Japan where he served as a flight surgeon. His bride, Margaret, a nurse, joined him there. After returning to the states, Mann completed a general surgery residency at MUSC and opened a private practice. He and Margaret raised five children — Tom, Deborah, Stephen, Carol and Lisa.

Mann retired in 1994 from a 31-year career as a general surgeon during which he held numerous leadership positions: chairman of the Greenville Hospital surgery department, president of the medical staff, president of Greenville County Medical Society and president of the S.C. Chapter of the American College of Surgeons. In 1995, Mann became the first physician named to the Greenville Hospital System board of trustees, a position he held for six years. Today, he continues to serve as chairman of the Greenville Health Corp. board of directors.

A longtime Clemson supporter and a Clemson Corps director, Mann has contributed to the realization of the Military Heritage Plaza, the Frank A. Burtner Endowment and the Senior Platoon reunion drill performances.

Robert J. Rutland ’64

Bob Rutland of Covington, Ga., is a man of commerce, accomplishment and faith.

As a Clemson student in the early 1960s, he served as president of the Clemson Aero Club and president of the Baptist Student Union.

When his father suffered a serious stroke, Rutland returned home to help his older brother run the family business, Automotive Transport Trucking. Later, he became chairman and CEO. He led the company through periods of major growth, establishing it as the world’s largest company specializing in the delivery of new and used vehicles.

He has been widely recognized for his business acumen, including 1997 Executive of the Year by Georgia Securities and a finalist for 2000 Entrepreneur of the Year for the Southeast.

Rutland and his company pioneered the field of industrial chaplaincy, which many believe is one reason for the company’s incredibly low turnover. He’s the past chair of Georgia Baptist Health Care and a former trustee of the Baptist Village Retirement Home. He also serves as chairman of the Haggai Institute, which teaches third-world leaders how to be disciples of their faith in both their professional and personal lives.

In 2001, he established the Robert J. Rutland Center for Ethics at Clemson in order to educate the next generation to lead with integrity — something he’s done all his life. As a result of his vision and financial support, Clemson is on the leading edge of ethical education. He also supports the Albert C. Todd III Family Endowment.

Rutland and his wife, Cherry, have three daughters — Dawn, Shelly and Carie ’96. He’s chairman of Allied Holdings Inc. and Greyland Real Estate Investments Inc.

Call for 2007 DSA nominations

Nominations for next year’s Distinguished Service Awards are due by June 30, 2006. The Alumni Association honors up to five outstanding alumni each year in recognition of service to their profession, the University and their community. The awards are presented during a spring event.

To nominate an outstanding alumnus, call the Alumni Center at (864) 656-2345, fax (864) 656-0713 or write Clemson Alumni Association, 109 Daniel Drive, Clemson SC 29631-3006 for a nomination form and criteria for selection. You can also find information on the Web at alumni.clemson.edu.