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Emeritus Award for Community Service
Past Service Award Winners
2023 Community Service Award
Dr. Gordon Howard, Professor Emeritus of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Since 1984, Gordon has offered his services as a licensed bird bander on the grounds of the Crown Point State Historic Site in New York. The historic site is designated as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society and a Bird Conservation area by the State of New York. Bird banding is an effort to track different species of migratory birds that pass through the region every year in order to collect ecological data and improve conservation efforts. With climate change and deforestation, the unbroken sting of the Station’s banding records in becoming increasingly important. Presentations to groups and individuals who visit the station are designed to involve visitors with wildlife in a non-consumptive manner which includes the visitor releasing a banded bird. In 1988 Howard began giving a Polaroid picture to each person releasing a banded bird to show friends and family. A follow-up Educational Certificate Program was begun in 1995 whereby tri-fold certificates are mailed to releasers which include an image of the bird, a brief life history of the bird species, the banding information and Clemson University’s support for the program. In 1997, releasers began to be notified when “their bird” was captured at the Banding Station or at another location. After the station closes each year Godon enters the data into the state and federal government databases, writes the Atlantic Flyway Report and sends a summary report to each visitor. In 2015 Howard also began an apprenticeship program of future banders. In addition to banding, two tail feathers are collected from “target species” as part of the stations third year of cooperation with the Bird Genoscape Project, a hemisphere wide avian genetics research program managed by units of the University of California – Los Angeles and Colorado State University. Dr. Gordon drove from upstate New York for this event and for us to honor his community service work.
Dr. Barry Nocks, Professor Emeritus of City and Regional Planning.
Barry has devoted himself to public service over the past two decades. In 2001 his leadership as the Chair of the Reedy River Master Planning Committee which paved the way for a plan that has profoundly change Greenville. His vision of the Swamp Rabbit Trail and the revitalization of the Reedy River as a public amenity has been the impetus for Greenville’s urban planning priorities. Barry also served as a member and chairman of the City of Greenville’s Planning Commission from 2000-2009. He then chaired and served as a member of Greenville’s Design Review Board from 2009 to 2017, during the city’s unprecedented growth following the recession. Barry also served as a volunteer on numerous Greenville planning committees focused on preservation, housing and strengthening the city’s zoning ordinances. As a certified arbitrator, his mediation skills played a valuable role in shaping major mixed-use developments. Most recently, he worked closely with the city to develop the Greenville 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the 2023 Development Code. Perhaps the greatest testimony comes from the many Master of City and Regional Planning alumni who continually ask for his advice in dealing with difficult planning issues. Barry was given the nickname of “Yoda” by several of his faculty colleagues. Barry’s wisdom and tireless efforts in public service have made Greenville one of America’s most livable communities.
2021 Community Service Award
Dr. Schoulties, Chair of the Emeritus College Awards Committee, presented the Emeritus Award for Community Service (EACS) for 2021. The recipient for the 2021 EACS award was Dr. Vic Shelburne, Professor Emeritus of Forestry and Natural Resources. Dr. Schoulties highlighted Dr. Shelburne's over 40 years of service to the Boy Scouts of America. Dr. Shelburne has mentored over 236 young people to the rank of Eagle Scout and has supervised over 1200 nights of camping for Clemson Troop 235. Dr. Shelburne's nominator for the award stated, " The Boy Scouts of America provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating in citizenship and develops personal fitness. Vic Shelburne believes so strongly in the values of Scouting that he has dedicated his life to volunteering as a leader. In the process, he has become the very personification of dedication and high-minded principle."
Mr. Jake Gotimer, Assistant Scout Executive and Chief Operating Officer, Blue Ridge Council, spoke of Dr. Shelburne's contributions not only to the Blue Ridge Council but to the greater scouting community throughout the world. Mr. Gotimer highlighted Vic's contributions to Camp Old Indian, such as Three Fourths Lodge and the miles of trails originally built by Dr. Shelburne using his expertise in ecology and conservation. Dr. Shelburne still assists in maintaining these trails today! An average of 60 area youth participate in Troop 235 making it one of the largest troops. The troop provides an average of 800 community service hours yearly, totaling an estimated savings of $23,000 for the Clemson community. Mr. Gotimer also highlighted Vic's impact on scouts throughout the Southeast as well as his contributions to the national and international scouting programs. Jake Gotimer stated," Vic has accumulated some very impressive statistics over his scouting career but I don't think those stats are the most accurate measure of the impact he has had. The mission of the Boy Scouts of America says in part that it's to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime. Throughout his tenure Vic has prepared young men at very impressionable times in their lives with the skills needed to make difficult choices for the rest of their lives. Along the way these men have also been learning tangible skills to improve their lives."
2019 Community Service Award
The recipient of the Community service Award grew-up in Wilmington, Delaware. According to her nominee, "her dad worked for DuPont at the Research Station and was an influence on her college academic choices." When the time for College arrived, she ventured off to Pennsylvania to attend Bucknell University where she received her BS in Chemistry in 1964. She then was accepted into the biochemistry graduate program at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and met her husband to be at a "new graduate student" reception held at her dorm. Linda Gahan obtained her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois in 1968.
Dr. Linda Gahan and her husband, Dr. Lawrence Gahan, came to Clemson in August of 1968. Linda, who was five months pregnant with their first child at the time, immediately became involved in community activities such as the Clemson League of Women Voters. Later on, Linda voluntarily taught two chemistry courses at Daniel High School while the regular teacher was on medical leave. She eventually joined the faculty in biological sciences at Clemson University, obtained tenure in due time, had a very productive career and retired from the Department of Biological Sciences in 2008.
For the past several years, Linda has been involved with Concerned Citizens for Animals. Because some of our students unfortunately "dump" their animals when they depart at the end of the spring semester, there are a number of abandoned cats throughout the Clemson community. Linda feeds 13 cats seven days a week between 6:30 and 7:30 am as well as monitors their health and behavior around the area of the former Clemson House along Daniel Drive and Martin Street.
On the human side of life, she is a supporter and benefactor for Clemson Community Care and the Clemson Child Development Center. She is the past president of the Clemson League of Women Voters and has served in the presidential capacity 4 times. Not only has she served as an officer but also her nominator lists 8 service activities within the League including three international women’s workshops and training programs in Kenya. Telescopically summarizing some of her other community service: Secretary, Clemson-Central Advisory Board, 2010-12; Past moderator at Fort Hill Presbyterian Women, 2011 -12, 2017-19; Co-Coordinator of Family Promise at Fort Hill Presbyterian Church, 2014-20; Chaired a fundraiser for the local P.E.O. Sisterhood Chapter for women’s college scholarships.
In 2012, Linda received the Clemson Rotary Club Community Service Award. Now, in 2019 here tonight, please join me in congratulating Dr. Linda Gahan for her remarkable life of service as a recipient of the Emeritus College’s 2019 Community Service Award.
