Barker highlights progress on strategic plan during end-of-the-year meeting

Published: December 21, 2011

CLEMSON — Clemson University President James F. Barker closed the fall semester Wednesday, announcing that the university is on track toward the goals outlined in “Clemson 2020,” including advances in recruiting students, completing facilities and recruiting and retaining faculty and staff.

Applications for admission to Clemson next fall are up eight percent at this time over last year’s record number, he reported.

“We are fortunate that Clemson continues to be the first choice of the best high school graduates in South Carolina, and out-of-state applications are also increasing significantly," he said.

In addition, he announced that Clemson is doubling the university award to Palmetto Fellows for next fall and increasing merit and need-based aid for out of state students.

“The Will to Lead campaign has raised $542 million dollars to date,” Barker said. “The campaign has created more than 300 scholarships and fellowships and almost 100 endowed chairs, professorships or faculty support awards and programs. Simply stated, that means 300 individual students’ lives changed and 100 individual faculty’s lives changed as a result of this campaign.”

Barker also shared that the Class of 1956 Academic Success Center and the Lee Hall addition are being completed this spring, with work progressing on the new Life Sciences building as well.

Barker ended with a note of cautious optimism regarding state funding prospects for next year.

“I’ve been encouraged by some of the meetings we’ve had recently with State leaders regarding our funding prospects for the upcoming year.  State revenues are recovering, but the economic recovery is still somewhat fragile. I don’t anticipate further state budget cuts next year, though, and that’s the good news. “

Clemson faculty and staff members recognized during the meeting include:

• Anand Gramopadhye, vice president for workforce development, received the Ralph D. Elliott Endowed Award for Outstanding Service to Off-Campus, Distance and Continuing Education.
• Desmond Layne received the Rowland P. Alston Sr. Award for Excellence in Public Relations. He is the state horticulture program team leader, associate professor of pomology and extension tree fruit specialist.
• The Thomas Green Clemson Award for Excellence was presented to Jack McKenzie and Robert Lippert. McKenzie is donor relations director and Lippert is associate professor of soil sciences and statewide Hispanic 4-H coordinator.

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