Call for nominations: Abernathy/Cox One Clemson Awards

Published: November 11, 2011

CLEMSON — The Clemson Joint City/University Advisory Board is seeking nominations for the 2012 Abernathy/Cox One Clemson Awards, given annually to an organization and/or 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.

Any member of the city or university community may nominate an individual, organization or both for awards, which will be presented in February 2012 at the annual State of Clemson banquet sponsored by the city Chamber of Commerce.

Nominations should include a brief description of the nominee’s accomplishments, community and university service, and evidence of ongoing impact for both the city and university. Send nominations to: Awards Committee, c/o Jimmy Dixon, 1198 Tiger Boulevard, Clemson, S.C. 29631, or email to jdixon@cityofclemson.org. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 31.

Last year’s group award was presented to ClemsonLIFE (Learning is for Everyone), a program for 18-25 year olds with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities who have completed high school. This two-year program is designed to provide a coordinated course of study that enables qualified students to experience college life while developing the employment and independent living skills necessary to participate fully in society. 

The 2011 individual award went to John Peters, a resident of Clemson and conference coordinator for the university’s National Dropout Prevention Center. Peters played an integral role in the construction of the Clemson Community Care building at 105 Anderson Highway in Clemson and he worked with the city to implement a new “utility billing donation program” that allows residents to add a donation for Clemson Community Care to their monthly water bills. 

Other past winners include the Clemson University Chapter of Habitat for Humanity and Chip Boyles, who was former Assistant City Administrator and the first executive director of the International Town & Gown Association.

The award is named after Clemson Mayor Larry Abernathy and the late Walter T. Cox, former president of Clemson University, who together founded the Joint City/University Advisory Board 30 years ago.

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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