DATE: August 26, 2008

CONTACT: Kirby Player, 864-656 3662
kplayer@clemson.edu

WRITER: Susan Benson, 864-656 3869
benson2@clemson.edu

Largest faculty gift to Clemson University tops $1 million

Endowment inspires colleague to donate for support of entomology expeditions

CLEMSON — A retired Clemson University professor’s endowment for a chair in the entomology, soils and plant sciences department is the largest faculty gift to the university.

John Morse and his wife, Suzanne, established the endowment in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences eight years ago. Now more than $1 million, the endowment includes the Morses' annual contributions of $25,000 that have been matched 4-to-1 by the W.C. English Foundation, established in 1966 by Suzanne’s father. The entomology faculty have chosen to name the position the John C. and Suzanne E. Morse Endowed Chair in Arthropod Biodiversity.

The endowment should be fully funded at $1.25 million in two years. It will be used to recruit a leading scholar to teach, conduct research, inform land managers and decision-makers and discover and manage economically detrimental effects of arthropod species, as well as beneficial products and services they can provide.

“I’ve taught at Clemson for over 33 years,” said Morse, who recently retired but will continue to teach and work with graduate students. “There is truly something special here, and I am grateful for the privilege to work with world-class faculty and talented students every day. It's a thrill to come through those stone gates each morning. I wanted to give something back to the place that has given me so much."

Professor Al Wheeler, a department colleague, was so inspired by Morse’s gift that he also has created a major endowment for students in the department.

The fund created by Wheeler will provide support for group expeditions by entomology graduate students to investigate ecologically interesting or unusual natural communities or habitats. The expeditions will promote enthusiasm for insect fieldwork; camaraderie among faculty, staff and students; exchange of knowledge and ideas; and long-lasting professional relationships.