“Replacing insecurity with self-confidence”

April 2007

Nancy Leininger, senior lecturer in graphic communications, was honored this year for her contributions to academic life at Clemson, but the lives of her students are her primary focus.

Each year, the provost’s office announces a call for nominations to recognize outstanding faculty and staff with the Thomas Green Clemson Award for Excellence. And every year, without fail, these nominations tell the stories of exemplary teaching, research and service. Leininger’s story stood out among this year’s nominations.

At the Dec. 20 general faculty and staff meeting, President Jim Barker and Provost Dori Helms applauded Leininger’s work and publicly thanked her for her 17 years of service to Clemson.

“I am very honored by this recognition, and as I note the past recipients, I am truly humbled to be named among them,” said Leininger.

Leininger makes it her goal to better the lives of her students, and to arm them with the skills they need to be successful in business and in life, believing that “what we provide students is the foundation upon which they will build their careers and their lives.”

One letter supporting her nomination confirmed her success toward this goal: “she replaces ambiguity and insecurity with self-confidence, and she brings value to students, employers and the department."

Learning that comments from students were part of the nomination brought special meaning to this award for Leininger. “I have always felt that even though I was hired by Clemson University, I actually work for the students and the employers who hire them.”

In addition to her course load, Leininger serves as internship coordinator and curriculum chair for the department. Under her direction, graphic communications annually places about 180 students in internships.

Keeping on top of industry and technology trends in an area that is constantly changing is key for making her courses practical and meaningful. “This requires active participation in organizations and conferences and collaboration with industry,” she said. “I try to develop instructional materials that will relieve fear barriers and promote successful completion of tasks.”

Leininger is truly a part of the Clemson Family. Her husband of nearly 29 years, professor John Leininger, also teaches in the graphic communications department, and both of their sons attend Clemson.

Though only two students on campus are technically ‘hers,’ she works hard to help shape the growth of all students. “I believe the role of a teacher is almost as important as the role of a parent,” she said. “ It comes with tremendous responsibility, but the rewards are worth the effort.”

And the biggest reward? “Being a part of those ‘light-bulb’ moments when a student finally ‘gets it,’ makes my day.”

Learn more about The Thomas Green Clemson Award for Excellence and its previous recipients, online at http://www.clemson.edu/awards/tgcawards.htm. To learn more about Nancy Leininger’s department, visit http://graphics.clemson.edu/.