Clemson University’s largest college inducted four alumni into the Thomas Green Clemson Academy of Engineers and Scientists and recognized two others as Outstanding Young Alumni during a rooftop gala on May 4 at the Watt Family Innovation Center.
The College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences selected Marshall Brown, Harold Gillens, John Witherspoon Gilpin and Jeff Schmersal for membership in the academy, the college’s highest honor. Angela Johnson Culver and Amy Hixon are this years’ Outstanding Young Alumni.
The academy was established to give special recognition to college alumni and friends who have made major contributions to their professions and have brought significant distinction to the college and University.
The Outstanding Young Alumni award is reserved for graduates of the college who are 40 years old or younger and have made significant achievements to their profession or the welfare of society.
Anand Gramopadhye, the college’s dean, said all the honorees left their marks in their own unique ways.
“We will always cherish the fact that your Clemson University education contributed to your success,” he said. “On behalf of the Clemson family let me once again congratulate today’s inductees for enriching our lives. As exemplary ambassadors of Clemson, we are eternally grateful to you.”
Harold Gillens
After graduating with a degree in electrical engineering, Gillens worked as a security engineer for the federal government. He received his Master of Engineering Management from George Washington University and joined Quintech Solutions in 2003. Under his leadership as president, Quintech expanded its focus from security consulting to include construction management. The company has worked with the Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and the Department of Homeland Security among others. As president of the International Association of Professional Security Consultants, Gillens was the first African American to lead the organization since its inception in 1980. He and his family established the Gillens Family Endowed Fund for Diversity in Engineering to provide unrestricted support for diversity and underrepresented student initiatives and programs. He has consistently been a Leadership Circle donor through the Dean’s Excellence Fund, and has been a loyal friend to the college by helping to support, guide, and mentor undergraduate students in their academic journey at Clemson.
For more on all the honorees, visit ClemsonNews.
