Inside Clemson

Clemson University mourns the death of Jessica Mullins, parking enforcement officer for Parking and Transportation Services in the Division of Finance and Operations. Mullins began her Clemson career on May 24, 2018.

“Jessica will be greatly missed,” said Vanessa Weston, senior associate director of parking operations. “While doing her job she loved meeting people and helping them navigate their way around campus. She enjoyed helping those around her and always had a smile on her face. In all the years I worked with her, I knew her to be compassionate, kind-hearted, and concerned for the well-being of others and especially the feral cat population. Our team has been blessed to know her.”

Counseling services are available to faculty and staff through ComPysch, the University’s Employee Assistance Program provider, at 866-365-0813.

Her obituary is available online. 

Clemson University Obituaries
Obituaries for active employees, retirees and current students are issued by Marketing and Communications once we are able to confirm the information. Since faculty and staff live and work throughout the state, we depend on university departments, colleagues or friends to notify us of the deaths of active employees and retirees.

Thomas “Tom” M. Keinath, Clemson University Dean Emeritus of Engineering and Science, passed away on March 15, 2024, at the age of 83.

“Tom was an exemplar scholar and researcher, a true giant in his discipline,” said Dean of the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences Anand Gramopadhye. “As a faculty member of our college, chair of our environmental engineering department and later as a Dean of the College of Engineering and Science, he propelled us to great heights. But beyond his leadership, to many of us who knew him well, we will remember Tom not only as a great dean, but a true gentleman, a caring mentor and friend. His kindness and genuine concern for others left a lasting impression on all those who crossed his path. As we mourn his loss, we will also celebrate the legacy he leaves behind. Tom’s impact on the academic community and at Clemson will be remembered for years to come.” 

Keinath served as Dean of the College of Engineering and Science from 1992-2006, presiding over a school that consists of 4,500 to 5,000 students and approximately 430 faculty and permanent staff. He began his Clemson career on July 1, 1969, as an assistant professor of Environmental Systems Engineering. Rising through the department, he became acting department head in 1976 before eventually being named Dean of Engineering in 1992. The school currently awards the Thomas Keinath Water Environment Association Fellowship Endowment annually to support graduate-level students currently enrolled or accepted to a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering & Science or a doctoral degree in Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences.

During his 38-year professional career as a member of the academy, he was very active in service to the major national and international professional organizations concerned with water quality control. Keinath completed two two-year terms as President of the International Water Association (headquartered in London) and as Chair of its Executive Committee and Governing Board. He served the American Society of Civil Engineers as Chair of its Clarifier Research Technical Committee. Keinath also served as President of the Association of Environmental Engineering Professors and as well as a three-year term as Chair of the 150-member Program Committee of the Water Environment Federation. He also served on several committees and panels of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Science.

During his career, Keinath directed the research of 87 master’s degrees, 15 Ph.Ds., and eight postdoctoral students.

He earned his doctorate and post-doctoral work at the University of Michigan in water resources engineering, who recognized him with the Alumni Society Merit Award in 1996. Other awards included the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science’s Founders Award (2002), the Gordon Maskew Fair Medal by the Water Environment Federation (1997), the Harrison Prescott Eddy Medal (1995) and the Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize (1985).

A CECAS remembrance is available on Clemson News. His obituary will be shared when available.

Clemson University mourns the death of Wanda Rhodes, accountant and fiscal analyst for Shared Services in the Division of Finance and Operations. She passed away on March 6, 2024. Rhodes began her Clemson career on March 2, 2001, and worked for Student Affairs until 2019 before joining Shared Services.

Counseling services are available to faculty and staff through ComPysch, the University’s Employee Assistance Program provider, at 866-365-0813.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 9, at Sandifer Funeral Home Chapel in Westminster, S.C., with burial to follow at Chauga Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends and family from 12:30-1:30 p.m., prior to the service at Sandifer Funeral Home.

Wanda Rhodes’ obituary is available online.

Clemson University Obituaries
Obituaries for active employees, retirees and current students are issued by Marketing and Communications once we are able to confirm the information. Since faculty and staff live and work throughout the state, we depend on university departments, colleagues or friends to notify us of the deaths of active employees and retirees.

Harold “Hal” Harris, Jr., Professor Emeritus of Applied Economics and Statistics, passed away on March 4, 2024 at the age of 84.

Harris was hired on October 20, 1975, where he taught and worked with farmers in Extension service. He retired in June 2003 but returned to work in various positions from 2003 through 2018, totaling 43 years with the University.

His honors included the Award for Faculty Excellence, the Distinguished Public Service Award, and induction into the Dairy Hall of Fame.

Harris arrived at Clemson after spending five years as an associate professor at Virginia Tech. He graduated Pi Kappa Phi from Auburn University and then entered the United Statss Army, where he served in the 7th Cavalry division as a first lieutenant. He completed his education at Purdue University, earning a doctorate in Agricultural Economics.

A celebration of his life and achievements will be held later in March, date to be announced, in the Chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home in Central, S.C.

His obituary is available online.

Paul Holmes, Professor Emeritus of Mathematical Sciences, passed away on March 4, 2024 at the age of 88.

He was hired on August 16, 1970 and taught for nearly 32 years before retiring in July 2002. He served with the Emeritus College from June 2015 until his passing. 

After graduating from Washington State with a master’s degree, Paul earned a Doctorate in Mathematics from Stanford University and taught at Purdue University (four years) and Rutgers (three years) before his Clemson career.

Visitations will be held Saturday, March 9, from 12-2 p.m. at the Patrick Square Clubhouse, Keller Blvd, Clemson, S.C and Sunday, March 10 from 3-5 p.m. at the Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community (Guinyard Mansion), 1 Still Hopes Dr, W. Columbia, S.C. There will be a private family service held at a later date. Casual attire is requested.

His obituary is available online.