A. Ray Abernathy

A. Ray Abernathy

May 30, 1930 - October 8, 1997
Acting Department Head & Professor Emeritus

Ph.D. Environmental Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1963
M.S. Sanitary Chemistry & Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1959
A.B. Chemistry & Education, Lenoir-Rhyne College, 1953

Career Overview

  • Associate Professor, Professor, & Acting Department Head, Environmental Systems Engineering, Clemson 1966-1993
  • Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering, Clemson 1962-1966

Career Accomplishments & Highlights

  • Worked with Duke Energy in 1975 to study fish populations in lakes Keowee & Jocassee. Studies revealed that the fish contained unacceptable levels of mercury, prompting a public advisory to limit consumption of fish caught in those lakes. Abernathy’s work on mercury greatly influenced the recognition of this as a widespread problem in South Carolina.
  • More broadly, Dr. Abernathy was among the first researchers to conduct comprehensive studies of reservoir water chemistry in the upstate of South Carolina. 
  • The first faculty member hired into the newly formed Environmental Systems Engineering Department was Gene Rich, who was then serving as Dean of the College of Engineering.
  • An annual award for EEES graduate students is named in honor of Dr. Abernathy, endowed by contributions made through the SC Water Environment Association.
  • Served as an officer at the state and national levels of the Water Environment Federation. 

Awards & Honors

  • Arthur Sidney Bedell Award, Water Environment Federation, 1975