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.
Blue skies greeted the Clemson Tigers when they faced Wofford in the Military Appreciation Game on Nov. 1, 2019. Image Credit: Clemson University Relations
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.
March 11, 2020: On campus just before spring break, all the world was a sunny day. Image Credit: College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities
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.
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.
Wish you were here. Image credit: CAAH
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
Stay connected. Image credit: unsplash.com, Priscilla Du Preez
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.
Share your thanks. Image credit: unsplash.com, Simon Maage
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.”
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.
Simple acts like hand-washing and staying home when sick benefit our University community. Image credit: Clemson University Relations
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.
Change is coming soon to Strode Tower. Image credit: Clemson University Relations
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.
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.
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,
Dear students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of CAAH:
It was a pleasure to meet visiting students and their parents at the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities fall open house. Image Credit: Clemson University Relations
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.
Brittany Lacy is a construction coordinator for the Clemson University Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter. Her time volunteering convinced her to pick up a minor in nonprofit leadership in addition to her major in construction science and management. Image credit: Courtesy of Brittany Lacy
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.
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,
Dear students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of CAAH:
Autumn greetings! With a break in the weather, it’s finally beginning to feel like October at Clemson University.
The Nieri Family Department of Construction Science and Management now carries the name of Michael and Robyn Nieri, in honor of their $5 million Academic Cornerstone Partner gift. Image Credit: Clemson University Relations
I want to share some news from the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities.
In my role as Interim Dean, my highest priority is to ensure a strong future for the College by securing a strong Dean. I am happy to announce that our national search for a permanent Dean continues in earnest. We have placed an ad in the Chronicle of Higher Education in addition to engaging the search firm R. William Funk & Associates.
If you are aware of any exceptional leaders who have the credentials and vision to lead our College forward, I ask that you send those nominations to the search firm as soon as possible though Krisha Creal (krisha.creal@rwilliamfunk.com).
The search committee will meet with the most qualified applicants in December and January, and we are on track to have a new Dean in place next spring.
School of Architecture seeks new director
Clemson University has benefitted greatly from Kate Schwennsen’s leadership in the School of Architecture since her arrival at Clemson in 2010. Schwennsen served as the national president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 2006 and received the 2018 Educator Honor from the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) – the most prestigious national award the organization presents to educators.
During Kate’s tenure, the School of Architecture has thrived, producing exceptional graduates and garnering high rankings in DesignIntelligence. The School opened impressive new facilities – Lee III on the main campus and the Clemson Design Center in Charleston – and added the forward-thinking Master of Resilient Urban Design program.
Schwennsen is now passing the torch to a new director.
We have placed an ad in the Chronicle of Higher Education and ask for all nominations, inquiries and questions to be sent to the care of Dr. Winifred Elysee Newman, Mickel Professor of Architecture and chair of the search committee (elyssen@clemson.edu).
New era in construction science
We are proud to announce that our College’s highly regarded construction science program has a new name, thanks to the recent $5 million Academic Cornerstone Partner gift from Michael and Robyn Nieri. Michael Nieri is the founder and president of Great Southern Homes and an alumnus of the construction science program at Clemson.
The gift was formally announced and the Nieris were celebrated at a luncheon held Sept. 20 at the WestZone Club at Memorial Stadium. President James P. Clements called the Nieri gift both “generous and visionary.”
“It’s gifts like this that change this institution and literally make us the best of the best,” President Clements said.
With the family’s endowment, The Nieri Family Department of Construction Science and Management will be able to provide even more opportunities for students. Department chair Mike Jackson said the gift will make it possible to hire a professor who specializes in residential construction, and to increase hands-on homebuilding experiences.
Acting Associate Dean is named
James Burns has been appointed Acting Associate Dean of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities. James has taught at Clemson since 1999 and served as the chair of the Department of History since 2015. A past Fulbright scholar, James specializes in African history and the social history of film.
James assumed his new role on Oct. 1, when Lee Morrissey returned to the English faculty, his work as director of the Humanities Hub and his own research. We thank Lee for his service to the College as Interim Associate Dean. The search for a new Interim Associate Dean will begin shortly.
Daniel Hall update
Most students who have attended Clemson have spent a fair amount of time in the classrooms of Daniel Hall.
Architectural renderings from Lord Aeck Sargent show how the new and improved Daniel Hall will look from the Bridge.
When the building opened in 1969, Clemson had an enrollment of just 6,666 students, Lyndon B. Johnson was president, Woodstock was only a spot on the map and humans were leaving fresh footsteps on the moon.
It’s been a while.
I have recently seen some exciting plans for the expansion and renovation of Daniel Hall, and I want to share a few highlights with you. The addition will include new classrooms; a 250-seat auditorium; a physical space for our humanities center, the Humanities Hub; and a variety of collaborative and lounge spaces that can be used by students, faculty and staff.
This new space, projected to open in 2021, will be a new home for general education classes and a great new resource for the College and University.
Conferences and community
The “Innovations in Surgical Environments” conference in Charleston shared findings from the four-year Realizing Improved Patient Care through Human-Centered Design in the Operating Room (RIPCHD.OR) project.
A recent workshop and two upcoming events offer evidence on how design and build programs in the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities at Clemson University have a significant impact in South Carolina and beyond.
About 100 designers, clinicians, administrators and other healthcare professionals took part in the “Innovations in Surgical Environments” workshop last month in Charleston. Attendees had the opportunity to benefit from knowledge gained over a four-year collaboration between Clemson University and the Medical University of South Carolina, focused on designing safer operating rooms. Anjali Joseph, David Allison and their entire team in Architecture + Health have done great work that will continue to be shared through initiatives such as the newly launched Safe OR Design tool.
For professionals in the construction industry, our Nieri Family Department of Construction Science and Management will host a one-day event, “Today’s Challenges, Tomorrow’s Opportunities” on Oct. 10. The program in Greenville will include speakers and expert panels, along with opportunities to network and strengthen ties between industry and education in South Carolina.
The Department of City Planning and Real Estate Development will host the national conference for the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) from Oct. 24-27 in Greenville. Planning professionals and educators from around the country will be able to share insights and expertise, while discovering what is special about Greenville, the Upstate and the University.
A loss for the College
In closing, I am saddened to report the death of Robert A. Bruhns, a respected member of the faculty. Bruhns died Sept. 15. Five days later, students and colleagues – many of them wearing the Hawaiian shirts he loved – gathered at Lee Hall to honor his memory. As his obituary said, “Robert was an architect by training and a teacher at heart.”
Sincerely,
Tim Boosinger
Robert A. Bruhns, a Senior Lecturer of Architecture, was remembered by students and colleagues on Sept. 20 at Lee Hall.
The College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities at Clemson University is beginning the academic year with new faculty members, including several new program leaders.
Ryan Dietz is the new director of the Master of Real Estate Development program and a professor of practice in the Department of City Planning and Real Estate Development, which is based in downtown Greenville. Dietz comes to Clemson University from Florida State University, where he led a similar program. In this role he succeeds Robert Benedict, who recently retired.
Jon Bernard Marcoux is the new director of Historic Preservation, a joint graduate program shared between Clemson University and the College of Charleston. The program is based at the Clemson Design Center in Charleston, located at the historic Cigar Factory. Marcoux had been the director of the Noreen Stonor Drexel Cultural and Historic Preservation program at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. He succeeds Carter L. Hudgins, who retired as director.
Other new arrivals to the College’s faculty are listed by department.
Art: Rachel de Cuba comes to Clemson as a Provost’s Pathway Fellow, while Mandy Ferguson, Haley Floyd, David Gerhard and Dustin Massey are lecturers.
School of Architecture: Lara Browning and Susannah Horton are lecturers in the landscape architecture program, while Virginia Melnyk and Brandon Pass are lecturers in architecture.
Construction Science and Management: Vivek Sharma joins the department as an assistant professor, while his wife, Harnish Sharma is a lecturer.
English: Jordan Frith is the Pearce Professor of Professional Communication. Chelsea Murdock has been named the new director of the Writing Center and is a lecturer. Other new lecturers are Stevie Edwards, Rene Fleischbein, J. Benjamin Fuqua, April Ayers Lawson and Lee Matalone.
History: Joshua Catalano and Rebecca Shimoni Stoil join the department as assistant professors.
Languages: Yezid Flores and José Ortiz are lecturers in Spanish.
Performing Arts: Lisa Sain Odom is an assistant professor of music.
Philosophy and Religion: John Thames is an assistant professor of religious studies.
The Office of the Provost maintains a photo gallery of CAAH faculty who have joined the university in the past year, along with information on faculty members who have joined other Colleges.
Dear students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of CAAH:
With another academic year beginning and the campus bustling with life, it is my privilege to greet you as the interim dean of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities.
As I get to know the College and its people, I’m struck by the warmth, camaraderie and sense of purpose that surrounds me.
Tim Boosinger is a former provost and vice president for academic affairs at Auburn University.
I’ve met students who are ambitious, poised and intellectually curious.
I’ve witnessed the dedication and commitment of our staff.
And I’ve been impressed by the level of scholarship I see among the faculty in our College’s diverse departments – and all across Clemson University.
I look forward to meeting many more of you in the coming months.
This is a special College at a great University and I am proud to serve as its steward as we continue our growth, build upon our successes and keep moving forward.
My close acquaintance with Clemson began in 2018 when I served for several months in a similar capacity at the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences.
I’ve also gotten to know Clemson leaders through my involvement with the Tigers United Consortium, which began during my time as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Auburn University. Together with our peers at Louisiana State University and the University of Missouri we share a mascot and a mission – to save the world’s remaining wild tigers.
This week on campus, I had the chance to meet with the Tigers United group and to convene with my new team.
I, too, had the unexpected pleasure of speaking with several families from Charleston who chose to spend their time as evacuees visiting Clemson and learning about all we have to offer in CAAH.
We are relieved that for many along the East Coast, the damage from Dorian has been much lighter than anticipated. Our Clemson Design Center in Charleston fared well and our students, most of whom evacuated the area, are safe and back in class. Please keep in your thoughts the members of the extended Clemson Family who have been directly affected by the hurricane and also the people of the Bahamas who have faced unfathomable devastation. They will need our support during a long recovery.
With gratitude,
Tim Boosinger
. . .
Tim Boosinger has been named interim dean for the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities while the University continues its search for a permanent dean.
His six-month appointment began Sept. 1, 2019. To lead the College, Boosinger will draw from his previous experiences as an interim dean of the Clemson College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences and as vice president and provost of Auburn University. His area of expertise is veterinary pathology and he served previously as dean of Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Boosinger is tasked with continuing the positive momentum of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities.
Clemson University President James P. Clements and Provost Robert H. Jones hosted a reception Sept. 3 to recognize the University’s newest tenured and promoted faculty. The celebration at the Madren Center featured appetizers, music from a live jazz ensemble and the opportunity to meet peers from other disciplines.
Clemson English was well-represented, including, from left, Kathleen Nalley, Katalin Beck, Department Chair Susanna Ashton and Lucian Ghita. Image Credits: Patrick Wright
Faculty promotions and tenure announcements in the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities were first released before the summer break:
Robert Hewitt, a specialist in landscape architecture, achieved the rank of professor in the School of Architecture. Also in architecture, Joseph Choma, Sallie Hambright-Belue and Amalia Leifeste were named associate professors.
Other new associate professors were Todd Anderson (art); Joe Burgett and Jason Lucas (construction science and management); Walt Hunter (English) and Raquel Anido (languages/Spanish).
The following CAAH faculty members were promoted to senior lecturers: Clarissa Mendez and George Schafer (architecture); Katalin Beck, Lucian Ghita, Andrew Mathas and Kathleen Nalley (English); and Harris King (languages/German).
Again, congratulations to all!
President James P. Clements addresses the crowd Sept. 3 at a reception honoring faculty who recently received promotions and tenure.
