HEHD Student Spotlight: Chet W. Morse II

Name: Chet W. Morse II
School or Department: Youth Development
Major: Youth Development Leadership
Outdoor Environmental Education (area of research)

Why did you choose your particular area of study? I work professionally as the Environmental Education Specialist for the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission, designing and implementing SC State Standards-based environmental education programs for students of all ages throughout the state.  Last year over 16,000 students passed through our programs! The field of Youth Development Leadership is an emerging and re-focused approach to creating positive settings that promote the healthy development of young people.  In my work, my studies at Clemson have helped me better connect youth and the natural environment – two of our most valuable and delicate resources.

What skills have you learned that will allow you to affect change in our society? The YDL program has provided a wealth of information and training in all areas of effective management and programming in youth services:  recognizing developmental trends, creating organizational structure, effective evaluation techniques, best practices in the field, marketing, ethical leadership, staff and volunteer management, grant writing, and much more.  All of these skills enable youth development professionals to create programs that better serve youth in their communities.

Which member of the HEHD faculty will you remember most? Why? I will never forget my first conversation with Dr. Bill Quinn, when I was calling to inquire about the program.  We talked for close to 45 minutes about everything from hiking the AT to Virginia Tech and Clemson football.  I stopped my school search that day.   Dr. Quinn and the entire staff of this program are not only incredible educators and administrators, they are good people who are in your corner from the start. 

What is your most memorable event from your time in graduate school? My first graduate-level class was with Dean Larry Allen.  What luck!  One Sunday, on the eve of our first big final project, a frazzled first-year student calls in to the Dean’s office to express his anxiety of swimming in unchartered territory:

Frazzled Student: "Yeah, Dean Allen, I just don’t know if I feel comfortable with this because I don’t have the experience yet."
Dean Allen: "Chet, this is not an exercise in comfort.  This project is not supposed to make you feel comfortable.  If we’re not making you at least a little uncomfortable at this stage in the game, let us know, because we’re not doing our jobs!"
Frazzled Student: "Good point, Dr. Allen."
Dean Allen: "Hang in there, buddy.  You got it."

Thanks, Dean Allen!      

What are your goals after graduation? I hope to continue contributing to the success of my organization by applying the skills and knowledge gained in this program.

Why did you choose Clemson University? Clemson’s M.S. degree program in Youth Development Leadership was a perfect match for me when choosing a school.  The distance-learning format allowed me to stay in my job and community, while completing quality coursework at a quality university.   

Please list your favorite(s).

Hobby: Backpacking, surfing, reading and writing
Book: A Brief History of Nearly Everything, Bill Bryson
Movie: The Motorcycle Diaries
Electronic gadget:  Google MyTouch
Vacation destination: Appalachian Trail
Musical genera: All; rock, folk, bluegrass
Previously owned vehicle: 1990 Dodge Colt Vista (the Silver Bullet)
Influential person: My grandfather, Dr. Chet W. Morse
Person with whom you would like to have a conversation:  President Barack Obama
Thing that makes you smile: My family, my dog Coletrane, and Old Dan
Advice received: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you have imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.” – H.D. Thoreau
Advice to give: Do what you can while you can.