Students choose Clemson professor for prestigious group

Published: September 20, 2012

Jason Thatcher image by: Clemson University

By Gaines Warner

CLEMSON — Jason Thatcher, associate professor of information systems in Clemson University’s department of management, has been named to the prestigious Circle of Compadres by the Information Systems Doctoral Student Association of the Ph.D. Project.

“I am delighted that the students chose me for this award,” Thatcher said. “We need faculty that represent the breadth of the American experience in front of the classroom. I look forward to supporting my friends in the Ph.D. Project in pursuit of that goal.”

Since 1994, the Ph.D. Project has sought to “promote and inspire African-American, Hispanic-American and Native American information systems doctoral students as they pursue their degrees and take their place in the academic profession.”

The Circle of Compadres recognizes faculty who have worked to realize that goal by being outstanding mentors to Ph.D. students in information systems and related STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines.  

Thatcher, who is of Hispanic descent, is only the 40^th recipient of the honor. Since joining Clemson in 2002, Thatcher has mentored students in many different ways ranging from sponsoring the Association for Information Systems student group to one-on-one interaction with students through Clemson’s Eureka and Creative Inquiry programs.

Thatcher emphasized that the award reflects more on Clemson’s continued commitment to diversity than it does on his own personal merits. As of 2012, Clemson is home to at least 10 percent of black computer scientists nationwide, making it the most diverse computer science department at an American university, according to a Computing Research Association survey. 

Thatcher holds degrees in history and political science from the University of Utah, as well as a Master of Public Administration degree from the Askew School of Public Administration and Policy and a Ph.D. in business administration from Florida State University. Prior to joining Clemson University, he won a teaching award at Florida State University. At Clemson, Thatcher received the College of Business and Behavioral Science 2008 Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award.

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