Joint City/University Advisory Board gives first Abernathy/Cox One Clemson Awards

Published: February 5, 2010

CLEMSON — The Joint City/University Advisory Board has recognized Clemson University’s Habitat for Humanity chapter and former assistant city administrator Chip Boyles with its first-ever Abernathy/Cox One Clemson Awards.

The award is named after Clemson Mayor Larry Abernathy and the late Walter T. Cox, president emeritus of Clemson University, who together founded the Joint City/University Advisory Board 27 years ago. The award will be given annually to an organization and/or an individual whose accomplishments have served both Clemson University and the City of Clemson and have made a significant impact on both entities in a single year.

Habitat for Humanity was recognized for having an impact not only on the university and city but also on so many families in the area. Recognized as National Collegiate Chapter of the Year in 2008 by Habitat for Humanity International, the chapter has built more houses than any other collegiate chapter in the nation. In the past 10 years, the group has built 16 houses in the area and has traveled on trips to places like Guatemala to build houses.

Habitat for Humanity has partnered with Pickens High School to build two houses as part of the Youth Build Program, and has worked with Clemson’s School of Architecture and the construction science management program to build two environmentally friendly houses, built to LEED certification standards.

Boyles was recognized for his work to found the International Town/Gown Association. He began work at City of Clemson as assistant administrator in 2000.  Before moving to Clemson, he served as a city manager in Jasper County, S.C. and in Maryland.

In 2008, Boyles left the City of Clemson for the Municipal Association of South Carolina but in September of that year became the first executive director of the International Town and Gown Association. He was instrumental in getting the organization off the ground and operating. The association now has 150 members with 40 institutions involved.

Boyles received his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and a Public Administration Certificate from Clemson in 2007. He is a past member of the Clemson University President’s Cabinet, the Clemson Chamber of Commerce, Clemson Sertoma Club and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Clemson.

In August 2009, Boyles left the International Town and Gown Association to join his wife, Jori, and family in Baton Rouge, La., where she is the director of the School of Architecture at Louisiana State University.

The Joint City/University Advisory Board is a committee of representatives from Clemson University and the City of Clemson tasked with enhancing and developing the relationship between the two entities.

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