Author: Karen Land

By Piper Starnes, Class of ’22

As the frontman of the Charlotte-based band American Theory, Devyn Byrd accomplishes great things on the stage and in the classroom. Byrd, a junior from Clover, South Carolina, is a performing arts major with a concentration in audio technology and minor in music. Even as a full-time student, he still managed to tour and write new songs with his bandmates.

In 2018, American Theory released its 10-track album, “Your Local Politics,” following the debut single, “Colors.” Since then, he and his bandmates (Eric Barrera, Michael Luce and Nick Saj) garnered over 51,000 streams on Spotify and nearly 22,000 views on YouTube (as of April 2020). They won “Best Rock Music Video” at the 2019 Carolina Music Video Awards and have opened for several national acts including Saving Abel, Eve to Adam and Danny Worsnop of Asking Alexandria.

“NASCAR Heat 4,” a racing video game, featured American Theory’s song “The Lion and the Liar” on the official soundtrack.

To find out more, Starnes interviewed Byrd on his backstory, music and Clemson experience.

When and how did you get into music?

Music has been a significant aspect of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, I enjoyed singing along to songs played on the radio. I didn’t sound good, but that didn’t stop me from torturing the eardrums of my poor parents while they drove me to and from school every day. I was intrigued by singing and its many moving parts. Why does everyone’s voice sound different? How do some singers inject so much emotion into their performances? As I grew older, I became interested in baseball, school and video games. Music took a back seat and remained a hobby for most of the remainder of my childhood and teenage years.

When I entered high school, I had the privilege of being a member of the Choraliers, the elite choir at Clover High School. I met many talented singers, musicians and songwriters who exhibited a passion for music I had not witnessed elsewhere. Intense preparation, a feeling of pressure from the success of previous years and an immeasurable amount of talent allowed the group to perform spectacularly. I started practicing singing regularly in an attempt to catch up to my peers and contribute to the group. I had forgotten how much I loved to sing in the car as a kid. In the process of trying to not be deadweight to the group, I rediscovered my childlike wonder for singing and became obsessed with it yet again.

I auditioned for a solo my junior year for our Christmas show. To my amazement, I was selected to sing the solo. Parents aside, I had never sung in front of people before, so you can probably imagine how scared I was when I realized I was going to sing in front of thousands of people! I miraculously made it through the performance alive, and I was shocked at how much fun I had on stage. In fact, I had never felt a sense of purpose and belonging in my life like I felt during that performance. It was then that I realized I wanted to pursue music and performance for the rest of my life. Around that time, I started recruiting musicians to start a band together. After a few lineup changes over the years, American Theory became what it is today: Eric Barrera, Devyn Byrd, Michael Luce and Nick Saj.

How did you get into songwriting?

Songwriting is a very fascinating art, and, although I enjoy singing and performing, I consider myself more of a songwriter than a singer. I’ve always been interested in the mechanics of songwriting and how melody and groove collaborate to create catchy hooks and impressive soundscapes.There is a journey of discovery and self-reflection with each marriage of lyric and melody, and I enjoy the adventure of taking simple musical ideas and fleshing them into complete songs. Sometimes you know what you want the end result to sound like, and other times you have to figure it out along the way. For this reason, it’s a tricky and mysterious art, but it can also be therapeutic and rewarding.

I’ve always dreamed of having people listen to my songs and enjoy them the way I enjoyed the songs written by my biggest inspirations, but I didn’t get serious about songwriting until high school when I took AP Literature. Before that, I was primarily a math student who dreaded reading. Once I started analyzing poetry and prose, I began to appreciate the creativity and commentary of the authors and poets we studied in class. I drew inspiration from certain works for lyrical writing, aiming to evoke emotion and create conversation using poetry and music as equally powerful tools, as opposed to using lyrics merely as a guide for vocal melodies.

Why did you choose to attend Clemson?

My brother attended Clemson, so I was already familiar with the area. I wanted to major in something related to music production, and the producer/mixing engineer of American Theory’s first album told me about Clemson’s audio technology program. That engineer is actually an alumnus of the audio technology program, Drew Cyphers, and he does fantastic work.

Do you have any favorite classes so far in the performing arts department?

My favorite classes thus far are CU Singers and the studio-based audio classes. I enjoy singing with a group of people, and I appreciate how Dr. Bernarducci teaches us about the meaning of the pieces we perform. He’s a great composer himself, and I look up to him as a songwriter. I enjoy both studio and live sound, but I feel more comfortable behind a computer working with recording and producing as opposed to mixing a live performance. Both environments are difficult and there’s always the pressure of time, but the live environment is far more stressful for me. I guess that’s a bit ironic, considering I plan on being a performer for a living.

How have your classes at Clemson helped you as an individual and as part of your band?

I took the music business class in Fall 2019, and it provided perspective on how the industry operates and how difficult it is to be successful. I learned about mechanical and performance royalties, sync licensing, networking and negotiation, copyright laws and the horrors of recording contracts. By incorporating this knowledge into our business operations as a band, we’ve already increased our following, our profits and our stability. Making music isn’t necessarily about those things, but they’re important for finding a way to make a living while working in the industry. Plus, my goals as a songwriter and performer are to meet people, communicate to people and form new relationships with people. If I want to accomplish those things, I have to have the resources to grow my brand and reach as big and broad of an audience as possible.

Tell us about your song “The Lion and the Liar” being on the NASCAR Heat 4 soundtrack.

American Theory has been blessed with good fortune quite a few times in its brief existence. With regard to finding success in the music industry, people often hear the phrase, “It’s all about who you know.” Although it usually isn’t that simple, it was in this case. We were lucky our album producer and mixing engineer knew someone who worked for 704Games, the developer of “NASCAR Heat 4.” The developer was looking for music to fill out the rest of the soundtrack, so we submitted “The Lion and the Liar” and they approved it. It’s a huge honor!

What’s coming up for American Theory?

Unfortunately, the pandemic has put most of our plans on hold, and most of the industry has shut down for the time being. Many artists have resorted to going live on social media and asking for donations to continue their existence, and many event planners, audio engineers, agencies and promoters are all out of work. The local entertainment industry is hurting, so I encourage everyone to support local artists by streaming their music and buying their merch[andise] if they can afford it. We recognize most industries are facing bleak outlooks at the moment, so just donate and support as you’re able. As for American Theory, we are making the most of the situation by recording and producing new music with the help of Scott Wilson, the bass guitarist for Saving Abel and former bass guitarist for Tantric. Once we make more progress, we’ll be putting out more information concerning new releases.

…

With all that comes with being a performer, Byrd remains humble. “I’m blessed to be a part of American Theory, and I take pride in our accomplishments however great or small,” he said. After graduation, he has a simple but ambitious goal: “I want to write and/or help write some of the greatest songs ever written.”

Byrd still has plenty of time to take in all that he can while at Clemson. We hope to see more of Byrd and American Theory at Clemson very soon.

Piper Starnes’ article first appeared in Expression, a print publication produced for Friends of the Brooks Center.

…and we’re off! The 2020-21 academic year has now commenced, and what a strange world it is. First, I must commend the faculty and students for carrying on in spite of everything and doing it, for the most part, very well indeed. That must be the Clemson spirit everyone has been telling me about.

I also need to express my admiration for the upper administration and their decision-making track record since this all began. In the past six months, I’ve had the privilege of transitioning from one university to another, and being the father of a college student at a third institution, all during this crisis. That gave me deeper insight into how the three universities handled the pandemic differently, some definitely doing it better than others. I have been consistently impressed with Clemson, which from the start avoided going with the pack and instead had the courage to chart its own course after extremely careful and thoughtful deliberation.

One of the things I regret most about this current situation is that I have not yet had a chance to interact with the students. But that’s not entirely true either, because I have indeed had the opportunity to work with a handful of engaged students who are dedicated to addressing issues of race and diversity on campus and beyond.

I have been so impressed with the efforts in this College, some of which are featured in this newsletter. For instance, the latest expansion of English Professor Rhondda Robinson Thomas’ “Call My Name” initiative continues to recover and share the stories of generations of African Americans who lived and worked on Clemson land.

And consider the recent discovery of unknown graves of enslaved people on Clemson grounds. The investigation of the African American Burial Site, which is being led by Paul Anderson, the Clemson University campus historian, came about after students Sarah Adams and Morgan Molosso expressed concerns about neglect of the African American Burial Ground within Woodland Cemetery. These same students are now organizing a task force so their peers can engage with the project.

Another student-driven initiative is the “We CU” campaign developed entirely by students with guidance from Philosophy Professor Diane Perpich and Theatre Professor Shannon Robert. One of the first results is a video poem written and performed by an English major, Kapreece Dorrah. We have shared his video on the You Tube Channel for the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities.

I also met with a delegation from cNOMAS, the Clemson chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students, which is headed by undergraduate student Michael Urueta and under the supervision of Senior Lecturer Clarissa Mendez in the School of Architecture. For more than an hour we talked about how we can improve the situation and opportunities for minority architecture students at Clemson, about new courses that could be offered, outreach to the community, and organizing events on campus to facilitate networking regionally and nationally to help get their careers jump-started. It was a productive and uplifting conversation.

With all the negativity and violence we have been witnessing in this nation over the past weeks and months, I find it nothing short of inspiring and deeply moving to see Clemson students reacting by writing poetry, having the courage to explore and face our past, and seeking ways to build, literally. It is what we do as a College and reminds us why the arts, humanities and architecture are not optional extras but central to our existence – our moral compass. It also fills me with hope for the future, and genuinely moves me to say:

“Go Tigers!”

Nicholas Vazsonyi, Dean
College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities

What a time to be starting as Dean!

On the one hand, there is feverish activity to get ready for the new academic year, to make sure we are prepared to face any situation that might occur, able to continue online entirely or begin working face to face while still taking precautions.

On the other hand, it feels as though time is standing still while we collectively hold our breath and wait for this moment to pass.

When I accepted this position back in February, only those who were really paying attention had an inkling of what might be coming. I imagined the things I would do and say to get started on the right foot and with plenty of momentum. Almost all of that is on hold now, or severely compromised. Almost all, but not everything.

We must also keep our eyes focused on the world after COVID-19.

The College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities, as I have been discovering over the last few weeks, is teeming with energy, ideas and innovation. The task that lies before us is to pool our resources and make all efforts underway count, to add up to even more than the mere sum of our parts.

One initiative I have already launched is for the College leadership to think about ways we might be able to bring our interdisciplinary programs – three undergraduate and two graduate degrees – under one roof. Creating a home for interdisciplinarity within the College would ideally serve the University community as a whole. In the months to come, you will hear more about this initiative, I hope.

Another area we will focus on this coming year is providing more support for the College’s research initiatives.

Clemson University recently became ranked as an R1: Doctoral University, signifying “very high research activity.” This is the highest research ranking offered by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Our College must do everything it can to contribute to and help maintain that coveted R1 ranking for Clemson University.

On a related note, our Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, James Spencer, has recently accepted a post at Louisiana State University – the “wrong” Tigers, for sure! While we will miss him and all that he has contributed to our College, I am pleased to announce that Professor Winifred Elysse Newman has agreed to step in on short notice to be our Acting Associate Dean of Research. Newman holds the Homer Curtis Mickel and Leona Carter Mickel Endowed Chair in the School of Architecture and is Director of the Clemson University Institute for Intelligent Materials, Systems and Environments (CU-iMSE).

This transition in leadership opens up the opportunity to reexamine our Associate Deans’ roles and our College’s overall research profile. We must find ways to increase applications for grants and fellowships, and foster a climate of research excellence. I promise to share more about this effort, too!

So, I will sign off here by wishing a great year to one and all. We will get through this and, I am sure, emerge stronger and hopefully wiser on the other side.

Nicholas Vazsonyi, Dean
College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities

For the first time, the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities held its end-of-year meeting in a virtual format on May 13.

CAAH faculty and staff might have missed the chance to catch up with colleagues after the meeting adjourned over the customary sweet tea and cookies, but otherwise the Zoom meeting covered much familiar territory.

College committee reports were delivered by the following faculty members: Andrew Levin (Curriculum Committee), Mickey Lauria (Research Committee), Daval Gajjar (Faculty Awards Committee) and Anthony Bernarducci (Honors and Awards Committee). Peter Laurence contributed the Faculty Senate report.

If there had been a theme to the meeting, it would have been “Transitions.” In his introductory remarks, Interim Dean Timothy R. Boosinger mentioned the challenges  and changes COVID-19 brought to campus in March. He also looked ahead to strategies for a “return to work” and fall classes.

Kate Schwennsen was recognized for her exceptional leadership of the School of Architecture for a decade, while Jim Stevens was welcomed as the School’s next director beginning June 1.

Faculty members Thomas Kuehn (Department of History and Geography), Mark Hosler (Department of Performing Arts) and Robert Silance (School of Architecture) were acknowledged upon their retirement.

Nicholas Vazsonyi, who begins his tenure as dean on July 1, addressed the faculty and staff both warmly and briefly.

Announcements about faculty and staff award winners were split between Interim Dean Boosinger, Associate Dean Jim Spencer and Interim Associate Dean James Burns:

Student-selected honors

The afternoon’s recognitions began with two faculty awards normally announced at the annual Honors and Awards ceremony. Students from the CAAH Ambassadors selected these two winners from a field nominated by fellow students:

• Advisor of the Year: Deborah Anthony (Nieri Family Department of Construction Science and Management)
• Faculty Member of the Year: Matthew Leckenbusch (Department of Performing Arts)

Lightsey Fellows

• Maria Bose (Department of English)
• Mashal Saif (Department of Philosophy and Religion)

John B. & Thelma A. Gentry Award for Teaching Excellence in the Humanities

• Ben White (Department of Philosophy and Religion)

Creativity Professorships

• Design and Building: Hala Nassar (School of Architecture)
• Humanities: Rhondda Robinson Thomas (Department of English) and
  Christa Smith (Department of History and Geography)

Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching

• Elizabeth Jemison (Department of Philosophy and Religion)

Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research

• Mashal Saif (Department of Philosophy and Religion)

Dean’s Award for Excellence in Service

• Charles Starkey (Department of Philosophy and Religion)

Dean’s Team Player Award

• Keri Crist-Wagner (Department of English)

Dean’s Award for Excellence in Outstanding Customer Service

• Julia Harvey (all from CAAH Student Services)
• Ashley Crisp
• Regina Foster and
• Carolyn Crist

Clemson University Awards

In addition to the College’s award winners, one faculty member and one student from the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities were recognized with Algernon Sydney Sullivan awards.

• Rhonda Robinson Thomas (Calhoun Lemon Professor of Literature, Department of English)
• Carly Malcolm (Class of 2020, language and international health major (Spanish) with a minor in gender, sexuality and women’s studies

Congratulations to all of the College’s award winners!

Dear faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends,

During the nine months I have served as interim dean of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities, we have worked together on unfathomable challenges.

Last fall was both rewarding and exciting. It was the kind of term that we have come to expect, with students returning to campus, the arrival of new faculty and staff, and of course, all the fun things we love about the fall. Having a football program reach the national championship added to the excitement and the fellowship all of us enjoyed on weekends in the fall. The trip to New Orleans was complemented by cooler weather and our favorite holidays.

Given all of this, it is hard to comprehend where we find ourselves today.

By February 2020, things had begun to change rapidly. With the spread of the coronavirus throughout Asia and most of Europe, it became necessary to ask all our study abroad students to come home. At first many students asked if they could stay overseas so they could continue to enjoy their international experience, living and working in a different culture while  inspired by their instructors. It quickly became evident that everyone needed to return to the United States. This was no small task. What impressed me most about the College’s response to this challenge was our faculty and staff, who without hesitation did everything needed to bring our students home and ensure they could complete the spring semester on time. This required a lot of collaboration with the rest of the University, our international partners, the State Department and, in some cases, the airlines. We were all relieved when our students were safely back.

What happened beginning in early March was unprecedented in my lifetime. These changes in our personal lives and how universities operate will redefine higher education for months if not years to come. Not knowing how long it will take to return to anything close to normal is clearly causing considerable anxiety.

That said, our College’s programs are strong and resilient, thanks to our incredibly talented and dedicated people. It took a monumental team effort to transition to online learning, ensuring that our students could remain safe and continue their studies. As I mentioned last month, we are all in this together and we are not alone. We are receiving incredible support from the rest of the University. I’ve never seen a stronger spirit of cooperation than what I am seeing right now. All of you should take great pride in all you have accomplished in just the past few weeks.

We are all very proud of the Class of 2020, and wish all of our graduates the very best.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the College as interim dean during the past year. I am very proud of all that we have accomplished, and I have truly enjoyed being a part of the college family. I can honestly say that it has been a pleasure to come to work every day, whether in person or by Zoom.

Never in my wildest dreams could I have predicted that, for the last few months of my appointment, I would be working from home.

One thing I have learned about working for universities during my career is that our work is never boring! I have told my colleagues and coworkers that hundreds of times over the years. Clearly, nothing about this year has been dull.

In July, I will try to retire one more time. Who knows what the future holds? However, I am confident it will not be boring!

Thank you all for your incredible support and friendship.

Warmest regards,

Tim

Dear faculty, staff, students and friends,

During the month since my last message I have been inspired by how our CAAH community has risen to the many challenges facing all of us in our personal and professional lives.

In less than a month we have moved into what feels like a new reality. It is hard to find a single word to describe how many of us feel; for me the word “weird” keeps popping into my head. I think that’s because so many things are happening all at once.

Our sense of community and our personal space have been redefined, and how we work and play “together” is very different, but yet familiar. While I have never been a big fan of Zoom meetings, like many of you I have adapted to this technology and have found productive ways to continue helping advance the College’s mission.

What’s most impressive to me is how all of you have embraced the challenges of distance learning and are supporting teaching in creative new ways. I know it’s been a big adjustment for everyone.

As you read this month’s newsletter, you will see numerous examples of the dedication and creativity that are carrying the day, the true hallmarks of our College. Everyone is working hard to help us move through this period of remarkable transition. Remember, we are not in this alone; we are getting incredible support from CCIT, facilities division, human resources, the business office and campus safety and security.

While I am writing to say thanks, I also want to respond to a question that many have asked: what can I do to help? The following are just a few suggestions you might consider.

Stay connected

Take a few moments every day to text or call a friend, coworker or neighbor. Connecting with someone just to simply ask how they’re doing can make a big difference as we continue to deal with physical distancing.

Invest in collaboration

Look for opportunities to collaborate with your colleagues and classmates. Our students and faculty are embracing new approaches to teaching and learning, and our staff are adjusting to a new form of work life. Our academic advisors are helping keep us connected with our students while also connecting with prospective students as we look to the summer and fall semesters. Now, more than ever, we need to strengthen the Clemson community.

Volunteer

There are many things you could do for the Clemson Family and the broader community.

Donating blood remains as safe as ever according to the American Red Cross and other health officials. The coronavirus has not slowed our nation’s need for blood donors.

Learn how to make face covering/masks for your personal use and for others. My wife Marcia started by making a few face masks for friends and neighbors and through word-of-mouth, the demand for her face masks continues to grow. One of the key ingredients is breathable cotton fabric, and as Marcia scours our house for additional materials, I am becoming concerned about the future of my T-shirts (smile). There are numerous examples online showing how to make masks, whether you can sew or not.

Laugh a little or a lot

While these are serious times, look for things to watch or read that are not only entertaining but funny. There are hundreds of examples on the Internet. My favorite is a brief set of clips from the TV series “M*A*S*H.” If you liked “M*A*S*H,” you’ll love these clips: bit.ly/MASHvideoclips.

Offer words of thanks

Look for creative ways to say thank you to your mail carrier, healthcare workers, store clerks, delivery drivers, sanitation workers and others who continue to work hard to get us through these times.

I want to close by sharing some timely words from Ron Anders, the mayor of Auburn,  Alabama: “Keep your hands clean, your heads clear and your spirits calm.”

Thank you again for all you do for our College,

Tim

Dear faculty, staff, students and friends,

Spring semester is always in incredibly busy time in the life of our College. In a typical year as we approach spring break, students are preparing for midterms, writing papers and looking forward to graduation.

Unfortunately, this spring semester has been complicated by challenges caused by the spread of a new coronavirus around the world.

• We are taking the necessary precautions to protect our campus.
• We are working to protect the continuity of our students’ academic programs.

The University has met this rapidly developing global and national situation with an abundance of caution. Decisions that some might initially have viewed as premature are appearing more prudent as the days pass.

Study abroad impact

During recent weeks, our primary focus has been on our international programs and how to ensure the safety of our students abroad, here on the Clemson campus and at our other sites in Charleston and Greenville.

As you may know, last week study abroad students from Clemson University were asked to return home to reduce the risk of them being stranded or isolated in other countries, or even worse, becoming infected with COVID-19.

On March 2, the director of our School of Architecture, Kate Schwennsen, held a teleconference with her 19 students studying in Genoa. “They are all calm, and healthy and sad,” she reported.

Other study abroad students and their families are experiencing similar feelings of disappointment and frustration. I also hear that students, faculty and staff here in Clemson are feeling uncertainty and anxiety.

Unanticipated changes and unprecedented challenges have added an extra level of complexity to an already complicated organization. I continue to be impressed by Clemson’s thoughtful approach to addressing this evolving situation.

We are always fully committed to the best interests of our students.

Be assured that our faculty and staff are doing everything they can to ensure the safety of our students abroad and their ability to get home. They also are working diligently to make sure that all of our students can continue to get a great education.

Staff members in our College and our colleagues at the Pam Hendrix Center for Education Abroad have been in close contact with our students abroad, monitoring communications 24 hours a day from faculty and staff at international locations.

In Clemson

Clemson University has created a centralized webpage with official information and policy related to the coronavirus, which is being updated at least once a day: www.clemson.edu/covid-19.html

Please use this COVID-19 Update website as a resource and source for official information. And please help us prevent the spread of misinformation.

• Clemson University health officials announced on March 9 that they are actively monitoring one possible case of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). The individual, a non-student, is currently in self-quarantine at an off-campus residence. Test results are pending.
• There have been no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on the main Clemson campus, or on its campuses in Charleston or Greenville.
• South Carolina now has seven people who have tested positive for the virus: five in Kershaw County, one in Charleston County and one in Spartanburg County.

Be aware that Clemson and our College have taken action to protect students and the University community. These actions include:

• Increased cleaning and sanitation on campus.
• Clemson University has suspended University-related international travel.
• The University and the College have severely restricted University-related domestic travel, unless it has been deemed essential.
• The University has instituted self-quarantine periods and screening processes before our study abroad students can return to campus. Many of these students will complete their semesters online.

While it is impossible for us to know exactly how this situation might evolve in the coming weeks and days, I wanted you to know that we are doing everything we can to help ensure positive outcomes.

What you can do

We are all in this together. Each of us can take individual actions that are good for our community as a whole.

• Simple steps like frequent hand-washing can help prevent the spread of viruses such as colds, flu and the coronavirus.
• Students, faculty and staff who are sick with cold or flu symptoms should stay home from class and the workplace. Instructors and supervisors should support these decisions.
• Good communication is critical, so that we all can act on the most accurate information. Sharing rumors and misinformation, even unintentionally, only adds stress and takes us away from the work at hand – helping our students.

Sincere regards,

Tim

Dear faculty, staff, students and friends,

In January, the College focused a significant amount of time and energy on our national search for a new dean. The search committee has completed its work and forwarded its final evaluations to the Provost.

I am confident that Provost Bob Jones will announce the appointment of a new dean of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities in the near future. I was very impressed by the quality of the dean candidates and I look forward to working with the new dean on a smooth transition.

The search for a new director of the School of Architecture is ongoing. The on-campus interviews for the new director position will be completed by the end of February. We should be able to announce the new director’s appointment in March.

A lift for our lecturers 

I am pleased to report that the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities, with the full support of the University, has taken the appropriate steps to increase entry-level salaries for all of our full-time lecturers. This initiative began long before I came to CAAH and it has been something we have been quietly ironing out behind the scenes for months.

Lecturers play very important roles in supporting the instructional mission at the College. I continue to be impressed with our lecturers’ credentials, their incredible talents and their dedication to the success of our students. At Clemson University, all of our students are shaped by the general education courses offered by the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities. Many Clemson students learn directly from the high-quality lecturers across the University and within CAAH.

In our College, full-time lecturer positions are appointments that regularly renew and provide continuity, full benefits and summers off. Beginning with the first paycheck of 2020, the starting salaries for full-time lecturers have been raised to a new minimum – an increase of more than 17 percent. These changes are timely and proper.

‘Family’ gathering in New Orleans

My wife and I were honored to help host an alumni reception in New Orleans in conjunction with the College Football Playoff National Championship. It was a great opportunity for everyone there to share their thoughts and ideas about the future of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities, and to join in the excitement associated with being in New Orleans to watch the game.

More than 100 people attended the pregame festivities at Bourbon House (on Bourbon Street, of course!), and everyone there appeared to be in high spirits.

If all goes as planned, it is possible this will be my last message to you as interim dean of CAAH. But regardless of the timing surrounding the transition, I want you to know that it has been an honor and a privilege to serve a college filled with so many amazing people. I can honestly say that during the last six months I have enjoyed coming to work every day.

Thank you all for your continued support of the College.

Warmest regards,

Tim

Dear students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of CAAH:

Fall semester is always an interesting blend of the excitement that surrounds the beginning of the academic year and the arrival of new students as they begin their academic journey.

For most of us, this term is hectic and at times a little crazy given all the activities that are swirling around the College. I particularly enjoyed observing several classes filled with talented young students being taught by enthusiastic and talented faculty. I have always been impressed that both students and faculty can maintain a healthy balance between our primary mission of instruction and the numerous distractions, while enjoyable, that accompany the fall semester.

The semester is always fast-paced, but it seems more like a sprint from Thanksgiving to graduation. The good work that gets done during the final weeks of the semester is remarkable.

The culmination of all this good work is, of course, graduation.

Commencement is a very special day in the life of the College and the University. It is a time of celebration for the graduates and their families and a time for faculty to take great pride in all that their students have accomplished. All of us in the College wish our December graduates the very best in the new year and for many years to come.

The new year creates exciting opportunities for the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities as we go through a transition in leadership. The search for a new, permanent dean is on schedule, with plans for on-campus interviews in January for the finalists. The search for a new director of the School of Architecture is also on target, with those finalists interviewing in late January. Both searches reportedly have large applicant pools. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to serve the College as interim dean as we move through this transition.

In addition, there have been other leadership changes in the College.

We have just announced that James M. Burns, who has served the College as chair of history since 2015, is the new interim associate dean for academic affairs.

Since spring, we have welcomed other new leaders around the College. Each one brings unique talents and perspectives to their new role, and it’s rewarding to see them acclimate and grow.

Cynthia Haynes is director of our interdisciplinary Ph.D. program, Rhetorics, Communication, and Information Design. Jon Marcoux directs of our Charleston-based Graduate Program in Historic Preservation, which is shared with College of Charleston. Ryan Dietz is director of the Master of Real Estate Development program, which is based in downtown Greenville. In our undergraduate programs, Kelly Smith is interim chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion, while William McCoy is interim director of Pan African Studies and John Robert Smith is interim director of World Cinema.

Evolution has continued elsewhere in the College as well:

• Two of our College’s majors have new names: Language and International Business, and also Performing Arts.
•  A new digital history concentration is available for those pursuing a B.A. in history. The College also is paving the way for the country’s first Ph.D. in digital history, which has been approved by the Clemson Board of Trustees and is now before the South Carolina Commission of Higher Education.
• The nation’s only undergraduate major in Women’s Leadership recently marked its fifth anniversary and now has 50 students in the major.

The College is building on its strengths and making sure we continue to offer quality educational programs and great value to our students:

• Construction Science and Management received its re-accreditation by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) in March of 2019. In Landscape Architecture, the BLA and MLA programs were awarded re-accreditation for six years in April 2019.

I am proud that at the University and beyond, the excellence of our faculty and their research is being recognized. Here are just a few examples of the many honors our faculty have received this year:

• Kelly Smith received the 2019 Alumni Master Teacher award at Clemson University. The single, annual award is selected by students and decided through a rigorous evaluation process.
• Robert Hewitt was named a fellow in the Council of Fellows of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
• David Allison was given the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Healthcare Architects and the Changemaker Award from the Center for Health Design.
• Kate Schwennsen (professor and director of the School of Architecture), David Allison (director of Architecture + Health) and Dan Harding (director of graduate programs in architecture) were named Most Admired Educators by DesignIntelligence.
• Shannon Robert was invited to participate in the PQ 2019 Exhibition in Prague, an international recognition for her groundbreaking work in theatrical set design.

Gameday cheer in Charlotte

With Clemson again demonstrating athletic excellence, it was a wonderful break to be able to cheer on the Tigers in the ACC Championship football game in Charlotte and to meet up with alumni who were doing the same.

Thanks to the generous support of alumni and friends, the College was able to host a wonderful event the afternoon before the ACC Championship game. The Little headquarters in downtown Charlotte near the stadium was a spectacular venue for our pregame event. (Little is the largest architecture and design firm in Charlotte).

Our sponsors included: Phil Kuttner, Partner & Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Roark, Partner & Corporate Retail Studio Principal, and Ron Boozer, Design Principal.

Thanks to their support, we had an amazing time celebrating the life of the College and of course getting ready for the game.

Thank you for all you have done this year to advance the mission of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities,

Tim Boosinger

Dear students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of CAAH:

The great strength of a land-grant university is that it adds to the quality of the lives of the people that we serve in our state, nation and world. That may sound like an exaggeration, but Clemson has a presence on every continent, including Antarctica. The value that we add to people’s lives is frequently the result of talented and dedicated individuals working together to make great things happen.

The team approach is always powerful, yet sometimes the efforts of individual students can touch people’s lives in a variety of personal ways. Hundreds of stories could be told, but I wanted to share the following one, brought to my attention during recent weeks.

While walking through Grand Central Station in New York City, a Clemson student majoring in American Sign Language stopped to help a blind gentleman holding a sign asking for directions to customer service. As Teresa Clancy approached the gentleman, she realized he was also Deaf. Thanks to her training at Clemson, she was able to hold his hands and have a conversation about what had happened. Clancy helped him get on the next train to his destination and helped him find a seat on the train. She asked the conductor to tap him on the shoulder when he got to his stop and she repeated the plan to the traveler. When she prepared to get off the train, other passengers asked if it was safe for her to leave her friend on the train. To their amazement, Clancy responded that they had just met. What a great example of how acts of kindness can add value to people’s lives, no matter how large or small!

What impresses me the most is that there is almost no end to these kinds of stories.

Two students studying construction science and management have dedicated considerable time and energy to the advancement of the Clemson University Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter. Construction Coordinator Brittany Lacy and Assistant Homecoming Build Coordinator Marissa Bischoff are other examples of students using what they’ve learned at Clemson to add value to other people’s lives. As I’m sure you know, through their efforts and the efforts of others in our community, Clemson is helping provide affordable housing, and our students are gaining valuable hands-on experience. What a wonderful example of the meaning of the Clemson Family!

There are numerous examples of Clemson students helping rural communities in South Carolina, including those enrolled in our Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) and Master of Resilient Urban Design (MRUD) programs. Through these projects and partnerships, they are adding value that can only be accurately measured in the years to come.

Our students carry a devotion to service into their lives beyond Clemson – even to other continents. Charity Shaw, a Gates Scholar and member of the Class of ’17, traveled to Africa to work on an individual basis with women’s groups and support their efforts to improve reproductive health. A graduate of the Women’s Leadership program, Shaw is now pursuing a master’s in public health at Emory University. This kind of service gives students an opportunity to learn more about the power of nonprofit organizations, and to gain an appreciation for the complexity of these kinds of problems in other areas of the world. Once again, our students are using what they have learned at Clemson to add value to other communities, no matter how far away.

Other notes from our College

• 

  President Jim Clements invited Todd Anderson, center, to attend the Florida State game on Oct. 12 as Professor of the Game. The printmaker and Clemson professor is observing and visually documenting researchers and the environment in Antarctica.

• The College recently hosted the fall open house for prospective students and their parents. This event on Nov. 1 allowed a large number of high school students to spend the day learning more about the exciting programs offered by the College. Our Student Services team did a wonderful job of orienting the students to Clemson University, while helping them begin to develop an educational pathway that will allow them to achieve their goals and dreams.

• The Humanities Advancement Board (HAB) met in October, in support of humanities programs in our College. The board’s work and involvement created the Humanities Hub, which is advancing the outreach, scholarship and teaching of the humanities at Clemson. The generous gift of board member Chris Loebsack also was recognized. He has established the “Lectures in Law and Humanities Series, endowed by Loebsack & Brownlee, PLLC,” which will launch March 26, 2020, with a visit from Pulitzer Prize-winner Matthew Desmond, the author of “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City.” The HAB board members also attended a luncheon honoring the fifth anniversary of the Women’s Leadership program, which included an address by Georgia Callahan, a retired senior vice president of Chevron and an alumna of Clemson English and also the Master of City and Regional Planning program.

• Students from the Department of Art were featured at the Homecoming football game on Oct. 26. Professor Todd Anderson, a printmaker who teaches in the department, was recognized as Professor of the Game on Oct. 12, just before he headed off to Antarctica on a research trip funded by an NSF grant. As I said, we really do have faculty in Antarctica!

• And finally, the College has initiated an inclusive strategic planning process that will highlight our enduring commitment to diversity. Faculty, staff and students in all of our departments will be invited to participate in this important planning process. This plan will expand upon our current commitment to diversity.

Thank you for all you do to advance the mission of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities,

Tim Boosinger