DATE:    9/23/99    
CONTACT: Dr. Mac Horton, (864) 656-3111      
WRITER:  Giles Singleton, (864) 656-3876
 
Horton Appointed Interim Assistant Director,
Public Service Extension/Research
 
     CLEMSON   A Clemson Extension/Research specialist has been
named interim assistant director of Public Service Extension and
Research at Clemson University.
     Paul M. "Mac" Horton, head of the Department of Entomology,
will begin his duties Oct.1. His job responsibilities will
include Agricultural and Natural Resources (ANR) related programs
as well as managing several Research/Extension programs and
special assignments from the directors of Extension and Research.
     "We are delighted that Dr. Horton has accepted," said Dan
Smith, director of the Clemson University Cooperative Extension
Service. "He brings a wealth of experience to the position."
     "Mac has provided leadership for our fire ant
research/Extension program for the past two years. In his new
responsibilities he will provide these leadership skills to an
expanded number and breadth of programs," said Jim Fischer,
dean/director of S.C. Agriculture and Forestry Research. 
     Horton has served as head of the Entomology Department since 
1997. He is also a professor and an Extension entomologist. He came
to Clemson as a state pesticide control official in 1973, and
joined the Entomology Department in 1975.
     He has served as the assistant director for Extension ANR
programs and as coordinator of Clemson University's water quality
and pesticide programs. His research is in the areas of biology
and management of urban and industrial pests and red imported
fire ants.
     "I am very excited about this marvelous opportunity to work
closely with everyone on the Clemson Public Service Extension and
Research team," Horton  said.
     A former representative to the Extension Senate and the
Clemson University Faculty Senate, Horton has also served as
president of the American Association of Pesticide Safety
Educators. In 1989, he was co-recipient of the American Society
of Agricultural Engineers national award for development of
educational programs. He has also served on the South Carolina
Pesticide Advisory Board since he was appointed by the governor
in 1988.
     Horton received both his undergraduate and his master's
degrees from Clemson University and his doctorate from Auburn
University.
                         END