Earning national recognition for Clemson

As the real estate industry grows, so does Clemson’s curriculum.

The Masters in Real Estate Development (MRED), started in 2004, is a program like no other at Clemson – and it is fast becoming a standout among other top-tier universities.

A joint degree between the architectural and business colleges, the MRED program accepts less than 20 students annually into its close-knit environment. According to Ronn Stewart, this exclusivity increases his experience as a student, with more interaction among peers and a greater ability to succeed. “It lends itself to real estate because real estate is a people-oriented business,” he said.

Stewart has recently brought national recognition to himself – and to Clemson – as one of only eight real estate-related graduate students in North America to receive the ULI Kenneth M. Good Graduate Student Fellowship. Knowing that he is among winners from universities such as University of California at Berkley, Harvard, Cornell and Columbia, Stewart admitted to feeling “overwhelmed” by the recognition.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to get some attention on our program at a national level. It speaks to the caliber of the program,” he said.

Even though only his name is on the fellowship, to Stewart, the recognition is more about his peers and the curriculum than his individual work. With more than 20 years experience in mechanical engineering, architecture and commercial lending, only a program as strong as the MRED would be able to entice Stewart to devote time away from his career – and his wife and children.

“It is one of the best programs in the country and because of the leadership Dr. Farris provides to the program, I think it will be one of the premier programs in the country,” Stewart said, adding that during a recent class trip to the Urban Land Institute’s fall meeting in Las Vegas, students from other schools were admiring the strength of the program.

Being in this part of the country has allowed Stewart to work and learn in a region that he views as the next high growth area. And, he added, “Being close to Atlanta and Charlotte didn’t hurt.”

Stewart is a self-proclaimed “Buckeye by birth, Tiger by choice.” Even though the program keeps him busy with courses, travel, internships and roundtables with industry professionals, he still finds time to be involved outside of the classroom. His involvement with the Graduate Student Government and the Student Real Estate Association has helped tint his blood orange.

“The unfortunate part is I’ll only be here for two years,” he shared. “With that two years, I want to be involved in the campus community.”

Stewart will graduate in May 2008. Learn more about the MRED online at http://www.clemson.edu/caah/pla/mred.

Published November 2007