DATE: August 19, 2008

CONTACT: Bruce Rafert, 864-656-4172
jbruce@clemson.edu

WRITER: Teresa C. Hopkins, 864-656-1222
hopkin1@clemson.edu

Clemson opens 116th academic year with Victor Hurst Convocation

CLEMSON — Faculty and staff at Clemson University were encouraged to nurture their spirit for research and discovery as they began the 116th academic year at the university Tuesday.

Lynn K. Pershing, professor emeritus in the department of dermatology at the University of Utah School of Medicine, delivered the keynote address “Process and Communication: Pillars to Expediting Discovery into Commercialization” at the Victor Hurst Convocation at Clemson.

“There are several key elements to successfully taking an idea through research and to application,” said Pershing, who has more than 25 years of experience in academic medicine. “Don’t limit yourself. Take unexplored paths.

“Also find your passion and be at the right place at the right time,” she added.

Pershing’s passion and persistence led to a patented device that, when placed on a mole or other superficial skin mark, can detect with accuracy almost equal to that of a traditional biopsy whether or not a skin mark is cancerous without the invasiveness of surgery.

“I was stubborn enough to make my own path,” Pershing said. “Researchers should be willing to take calculated risks and look into new funding methods. The road less traveled is less competitive and can provide more opportunity.”

"Clemson is a place where intellectual development goes hand in hand with research and economic development," President James F. Barker said in his address to the convocation. "We believe research and education must co-exist, must reinforce each other. They must be in balance."

Clemson professor Robin Kowalski received the Prince Award for Innovation in Teaching at the convocation. The annual award is named for Clemson President Emeritus Philip Prince and recognizes outstanding teachers who demonstrate creative and novel teaching methods in the classroom.

Kowalski is a psychology professor whose research into bullying and cyber bullying has been quoted and studied worldwide. She has degrees in psychology from Furman University, Wake Forest and UNC-Greensboro.

In 2005 Kowalski received Clemson’s Mentoring Award of Distinction, the College of Business and Behavioral Science Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and the Psi Chi Teaching Award.

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