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.
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.
In my time at Clemson, I have seen extraordinary change. After leading the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities for nine years, it’s time to pass the baton to a new dean. Image Credits: Clemson University Relations
I write this month’s column with many memories and an overwhelming sense of gratitude and sincere appreciation for all the staff, faculty, alumni, friends and students who have made my service to the College an opportunity of a lifetime. Success in life is measured by the relationships we make and maintain, the work we do, and the accomplishments made possible through a collective spirit of collaboration and teamwork.
I look back to my first years as dean and recall leading the implementation of an 18 percent budget cut in response to the Great Recession of 2008. One of my proudest achievements was allocating the $3.1 million budget cut without letting go of any faculty or staff, and maintaining quality within each of our academic degree programs. The austerity and lean budgets during this time were difficult to manage and sustain; however, with a supportive leadership team, we were able to weather the storm and our College became stronger through the shared hardship.
The audacious announcement in 1995 to merge the College of Architecture and the College of Liberal Arts was a decision I believe formed the single most distinctive and valuable trait of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities. The vision and passionate belief in how disciplines ranging from design and building to the arts and humanities could move forward as a single unit was clearly and thoughtfully articulated and implemented by Founding Dean Jim Barker. At the time, it seemed like an improbable collection of faculty and academic departments that had few commonalities. Since then, we have successfully embraced a shared vision and strategic direction that, through a collective ethos of collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and communication, has evolved into one of the most distinctive, and successful, academic colleges in the United States. I have always felt Jim Barker was our guiding spirit during this transition and I am thankful to Jim for his mentorship, during my time as chair of the Department of Performing Arts, and now as dean of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities.
I have no doubt the College gave itself a resounding vote of self-confidence when we elected to remain as one college, with the same structure, in the University’s most recent reorganization. Our work – and our value as a lynchpin of the ClemsonForward strategic plan – reinforces the notion that the vision, which began as a curiosity in 1995, now seems like a bold statement of national significance and academic excellence.
It was an honor to introduce Clemson University alumnus and trailblazer Harvey Gantt at the 2012 Convocation.
I am proud to have had the opportunity over these past nine years to work with forward-thinking faculty to create several new undergraduate degrees, including World Cinema, Women’s Leadership, Pan African Studies and now a Bachelor of Arts in Art, in addition to a Ph.D. in Digital History. I am equally proud of the remarkable growth of our existing programs, and the exponential growth of the national and international reputation of our programs and faculty. The fact that our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized teachers, scholars, and artists is undisputed. The fact that our College’s next freshman class is projected to grow by more than 18 percent over last year reassures me that we are on the right track and provides convincing evidence of our quality and strong reputation.
I also am proud to have been part of the evolution of our efforts in the humanities, including the birth of the College’s Humanities Hub and the upcoming new home for the humanities within an expanded and renovated Daniel Hall. This provides further evidence that Clemson is embracing the value of a liberal arts education and it is a testament to the work that we have accomplished over the past several years. I am thrilled to have had a hand in creating the College’s Race and the University initiative at a critical moment in Clemson history.
During my 37 years at Clemson, I have seen the humanities evolve from a collection of departments and faculty focused on the delivery of a quality general education curriculum to four vibrant humanities departments with numerous high-quality degree programs – and continuing pride in delivering quality general education classes. As I’ve often written in this column, the quality of our world-class faculty who discover new knowledge and ways of thinking never ceases to amaze me.
Through the dedicated efforts of many, including our development team, faculty, friends and the administration, we have closed on more than $35 million in private gifts, bequests and other private giving to the College over the past nine years. These fundraising successes are capped by our first Academic Cornerstone Partnership gift of $5 million, which will be announced soon. I share these amazing successes with gratitude to many, including the Advancement Board for Real Estate Development, CSM Corporate Partners, Clemson Architectural Foundation, Clemson University Tiger Band Association, the Friends of the Brooks Center, the Humanities Advancement Board, and the supporters of Clemson Visual Arts for their dedicated efforts on our behalf, their unselfish giving and devotion to philanthropy. Through their efforts, our students and faculty have resources for academic excellence that would never had been possible without their support. I am grateful to each of you who support the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities in so many ways.
The dedication of Lee III on April 13, 2012 was an exciting day for the College.
Another accomplishment that I will always cherish is the opportunity to help acquire a U.S. trademark for our “Fluid Campus” program. I will be forever thankful for the opportunities to regularly visit our campuses and students in Charleston, Genoa and Barcelona during my tenure. Once I saw the transformational power that these off-campus programs provide for our students, I clearly understood the power of the Fluid Campus®️.
At the risk of leaving many things out, I do have some special memories that stand out over the past nine years:
Introducing Harvey Gantt at the University Convocation in honor of the 50th anniversary of integration at Clemson.
The dedication of Lee III, a facility Architectural Digest cited as one of the best examples of new university architecture.
The addition of a stunning new “front door” to the Brooks Theatre that improves accessibility.
The amazing work and successes of the faculty, staff and students involved in the Solar Decathlon competition in 2015.
The outstanding work of our public relations team that gives the College a visual identity and promotes the efforts of our students and faculty.
Significant improvements to the College’s business operations.
Two National Football Championships.
The Centennial Celebration of the School of Architecture.
The 30th anniversary of the Clemson Architecture program in Charleston and the 45th Anniversary of the Daniel Center in Genoa.
The successful fundraising, design and completion of the Tiger Band Plaza.
Producing the opening ceremony of the “Will to Lead” capital campaign.
Service to Clemson as the founding chair of the Stewardship Task Force.
The friendships that have been forged with current and former department chairs and academic deans in the College.
The relationships I have made with literally hundreds of faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the College.
Thank you for being a part of our College community – and this journey of a lifetime.
In my time at Clemson, I have seen extraordinary change. The sense of community, shared purpose, and focus on the undergraduate experience will always be valued. As Clemson has successfully evolved to a Top 25 university with R1 research productivity, I am thrilled to have been part of this legacy.
Finally, but most importantly, I am extraordinarily grateful to my wife, Cissie, and my three daughters for their unending support, patience and help maintaining a sense of balance, love and family. Without their help, I would not have survived 20 years in higher education administration. Having a little extra time with my family – which now includes five grandchildren – will be part of my next chapter.
As Joe Sherman, Class of 1934 said, “There’s something in these hills.” It’s been a remarkable journey. From a 29-year-old assistant band director to an outgoing college dean, this has been the journey of a lifetime and I am grateful to everyone who has shared this amazing ride.
With best wishes and gratitude to all – Go Tigers!
The College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities honored its third class of inductees into our Hall of Fame on March 8 when 11 new members were inducted. More than 70 faculty, students, staff and friends were on hand to honor this year’s class and were treated to performances by the Clemson University Jazz Combo and String Quartet.
I was honored to help recognize this year’s inductees who were nominated by departments in the College. Each inductee was presented a remarkable print that President Emeritus Jim Barker sketched of Hardin Hall, which shows a reflection of Tillman Hall in a window. Each member of the Hall of Fame will be honored in perpetuity on a plaque in the dean’s office.
William A. Caldwell and 10 other exceptional individuals were inducted into the College’s Hall of Fame last month. Image credit: Chase Todd
This year’s Hall of Fame inductees are:
John Butler
William A. Caldwell
Elizabeth Carney
Steven Grosby
C. Douglass Harper
Peter R. Lee
Frank Lucas, FAIA
Barry Nocks, FAICP
Thompson E. Penney, FAIA
Marilyn Thompson
Robert A. Waller
Please join me in offering congratulations to each inductee who joined 25 other distinguished members of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities Hall of Fame. Each one of them has made transformational contributions to the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities during their lifetime.
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It was a pleasure to gather at the “Villa.”
Last month, I had the privilege of hosting 21 friends and alumni of the College in a visit to the Charles H. Daniel Center for Building Research and Urban Studies in Genoa, Italy. The Italian portion of the trip included the annual “Villa” party, visits to the marble works in Carrara and the villages of Portofino and Cinque Terre. In France, we visited Nice and the Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul de Vence. We also stopped in the Principality of Monaco.
I am indebted to Silvia Siboldi Carroll, the administrative director of the Genoa Center (and a recent Clemson honorary alumna!), for organizing the trip, along with our amazing development team. As I mentioned at one of our dinners, most people never get to see all the sights we saw in a lifetime – let alone in a week. It was a memorable trip for everyone.
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Plans for the renovation and expansion of Daniel Hall are proceeding nicely. The “new” Daniel will extend to the south with a 60,000-square-foot classroom expansion, student-centered collaborative spaces and a new 250-seat auditorium. I share in the excitement that this new focal point for the humanities will be transformative for Clemson. Groundbreaking is expected in about a year.
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Rhondda Thomas discusses the “Call My Name” project. On the table are old ledger books with the names of convicts who labored on campus.
Last week, I also visited the launch of the next phase of Rhondda Thomas’ “Call My Name: African Americans in Clemson History, 1825-1973” project. Thomas, the Calhoun Lemon Professor of Literature in the Department of English, has initiated the “Call My Name” project to research and document the stories, contributions, and honor the legacy of six generations of African Americans in Clemson history. Her work has been transformational in understanding Clemson’s history and I invite you to visit a website devoted to this work: https://spark.adobe.com/page/wQoPG.
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Finally, as we approach the end of the hiring season for faculty who will join us next year, I have been thrilled to see the quality of applicants who are competing for jobs in the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities. With the applicants’ extraordinary credentials from some of the top universities in the world, it’s no doubt our students – and Clemson University’s strong academic reputation – are in good hands. I will be excited to announce a new Pearce Professor of Communication, a new director of our Rhetorics, Communication and Information Design Ph.D. program, and new directors of the Historic Preservation and Real Estate Development programs, and several other new faculty appointments – soon. Each of these applicants has gone through a rigorous interview process that includes a “job talk” and meetings with students, faculty, staff and administrators. Clemson’s academic brand has never been stronger and I am excited for the future.
In closing, I wish you a joyous April and Go Tigers!
I often get asked what the favorite part of my job is, and, depending on the day of the week or time of day, it changes. Although most of my days are spent in meetings, every day is different and brings about new opportunities to learn about the College, our faculty, students, staff and alumni.
One of my favorite annual events is Fusion, which spotlights outstanding work by students. Image Credit: Kristin Clardy
One of my favorite annual events is Fusion, which spotlights outstanding work by students from the College’s nine departments. I especially enjoy meeting new faculty and candidates who are visiting campus for the first time. Being able to brag about Clemson and the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities from my longtime perspective is a joy, and something I never tire of. The opportunity to hear from faculty about their latest research or creative endeavor is another highlight of my day-to-day routine, as are the interactions I have with students who come by my office.
Considering all the aspects of my job, I most enjoy events where I have a chance to connect faculty with students and alumni. One such event occurred last week during our annual Fusion event. As I mentioned in my remarks that evening, Fusion reminds me of “show and tell” we all remember from our childhood – but on steroids. Student work, from each of the College’s nine departments, was on display and I was extraordinarily proud of the mentorship of our faculty and the quality and variety of the student projects that were presented. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank our Student Services group, led by Cari Brooks, and our CAAH Student Ambassadors for their work behind the scenes to make Fusion an annual success.
Intercontinental partnership
Global engagement is one of the highest priorities of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities and I am proud of our status as a campus leader in study abroad participation.
Dean Richard E. Goodstein is pictured with Gao Chi (front left) of Huazhong Agricultural University and Ayman Ashour (front right) of Ain Shams University. In the back row are Clemson landscape architecture professors Hala Nassar and Robert Hewitt. Image Credit: Clemson University Relations
To expand our global education efforts across three continents, two professors in landscape architecture helped form a global partnership with universities in Egypt and China.
To formalize the relationship, a signing ceremony was held on campus to launch the World Design Studio. Faculty and other representatives from Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt, and Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan, China, formally confirmed the World Design Studio partnership at a luncheon ceremony.
The visiting students, Clemson Landscape Architecture students and other guests also had the opportunity to visit key sites in Charleston, conduct research, meet with local civic leaders and take part in a series of discussions concerning rising sea levels and localized flooding in and around Charleston. I am grateful to Hala Nassar and Robert Hewitt for their dedicated work putting this new partnership together.
Ray Huff, FAIA, is director of the Clemson Architecture Center in Charleston. Image Credit: Everett Zuraw
A milestone in Charleston
Last week, the Clemson Architecture Center in Charleston celebrated its 30th anniversary. Numerous faculty, staff, and former CAC.C faculty joined Charleston governmental officials, members of the Charleston business community, patrons and service learning “clients” to help commemorate the event.
The celebration included a look back at the many successes of Clemson’s presence in Charleston and a look ahead to the future of off-campus architecture education and the importance of student opportunities through the Fluid Campus.
To everyone’s surprise on Friday night, I presented CAC.C Director Ray Huff with a framed copy of the new Fluid Campus trademark we received from the United States Patent Office.
In closing, I am saddened to report on the passing of Dr. Larry Lee Bauer. Larry was a friend, patron of the Brooks Center, and lover of the arts. He and his wife, Betty, established the Bauer Family Scholarship to support a performing arts student and I am grateful to the Bauers for their belief in our students and their loyal and longtime support of the arts at Clemson.
Best wishes to all for a warm and wonderful March.
