Clemson admissions director named honorary alumnus

Published: September 23, 2009

Brian O'Rourke, director of development and alumni relations; Robert Barkley, director of undergraduate admissions; Jimmy Kimbell, president elect of the Clemson Alumni Association; and Wil Brasington, senior director of alumni relations. image by: Clemson Alumni Association

CLEMSON – Robert Barkley of Anderson, director of undergraduate admissions at Clemson University, has been named an honorary alumnus by the Clemson Alumni Association.

Barkley has worked in undergraduate admissions at Clemson for 24 years and since 1988 has served as director, a role that requires him to travel around the country promoting Clemson and recruiting the best and brightest students.

Under his leadership, the number of freshman applications has increased by 74 percent, the average SAT score for entering freshmen has risen by 80 points and the number of transfer applications has increased by 32 percent.

“Robert is an amazing director and mentor and really encourages our staff as we strive to build a competitive class from year to year,” wrote Alrinthea Carter, a staff member in admissions who nominated Barkley for the honor. “There are many people who are nominated for this award that have served Clemson by donating money or property, but very few have given of their time and talents as Robert has.”

Prior to coming to Clemson, Barkley spent eight years on the admissions staff at Lenoir-Rhyne College. He has served as South Carolina state representative to the Southern Regional Council for the College Board, and, in 2008, completed his term as president of the Association for Chief Admissions Officers at Public Universities. He is also a past president of the Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, having also received their Award of Excellence. He has a bachelor’s degree from Lenoir-Rhyne and a master's degree from the University of South Carolina.  
 
“I am extremely honored to be named an honorary alumnus of Clemson University,” Barkley said. “Clemson has been such a part of my life these past 24 years in so many ways. My involvement with prospective students and their dreams of attending the university have led to a more emotional involvement than many others would have. I thank the Alumni Association for such an award, and accept the honor with a great degree of pride and respect for a university as great as Clemson.“

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