Category: Awards

Dr. Romando James, Professor Emeritus of Family and Youth Development 
2018 inductee to the National 4-H Hall of Fame

Rev. Dr. Romando James joined the Rutgers University Extension Service and became the first New Jersey Urban 4-H Change Agent. The program served and incorporated significant numbers of under-represented urban youth by adding many non-traditional programs/ clubs such as The Playmakers Guild performing arts program. James was the subject of the 4-H training film “Living Your Choices, Romando”. While at Rutgers, he held many offices in the New Jersey 4-H Agents Association. James joined the Clemson University Family and Youth Development Department as a 4-H curriculum specialist. He created a new program based on his Ph.D. dissertation called 4-H P.R.I.D.E. (Purpose, Respect, Integrity, Determination and Enthusiasm). This program taught survival life skills for adulthood.

Using Dr. James’ P.R.I.D.E. curriculum and structure, the program expanded into an annual, week-long summer camp sponsored by Clemson 4-H, the Sixth District of the National Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Kellogg Foundation. This program evolved into a prison ministry through the SC Dept. of Corrections. James was active in the National Education Association, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the Clemson University Toastmasters and National Public Speakers Bureau. James was recognized for his 4-H community service and involvement, including the Nobel Prize for Community Service, the Jefferson Award and twice by the South Carolina House of Representatives for his outstanding contributions to 4-H and other youth. Many outstanding leaders developed under his leadership, including Nikki Haley (former South Carolina governor and US Ambassador to the United Nations). Dr. James has published a book of poetry and essays titled P.R.I.D.E.: Book of Poetry and Essays designed to give inspiration and hope to inmates, their families and individuals who have not maximized their potential.

With over 30 years spent with  the 4-H in New Jersey and South Carolina, both traditional and non-traditional participants enjoyed his innovative programs! Dr. James will receive his award this month in Washington D.C.

*information provided by National 4-H Hall of Fame website and Dr. James

This October has proven to be very eventful at the Emeritus College!! We started the month with our Fall Picnic and Annual Business meeting. A great time was had by the nearly 200 emeritus faculty and guests at Palmetto’s Event Center in Pendleton. The event not only offered great food and fellowship but also recognized Dr. John Morse, Professor Emeritus of Entomology, as the recipient of the Emeritus Award for Research and Scholarship. This award was established by the Emeritus College Advisory Board to recognize emeritus faculty members who continue to produce extraordinary research and scholarship, either in their discipline or in a new field. The award is presented in even-numbered years. Click HERE to read more about Dr. Morse and his immense contributions since his retirement.

The Emeritus College would like to thank our friends at the Joseph F. Sullivan Center for coming the Emeritus Office suite to provide flu shots to Emeritus Faculty as well as to other Clemson employees.

Several emeritus faculty attended the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education’s (AROHE) conference at Emory University on October 7-9. It was a big conference for the Clemson University Emeritus College with excellent presentations given by Dr. Hoke Hill, Professor Emeritus of Applied Statistics and Dr. M. Elaine Richardson, Professor Emerita of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and past Director of Academic Success Center, as well as the CU EC Language Skills Programs (CESP and CIS). These programs received the AROHE Innovation Award! One of three programs chosen nationwide! There were 28 institutions represented at the conference from the United States and Canada! 

Finally to wrap up this month, the Emeritus College will be hosting an AROHE Award Celebration on October 31, 2018 – 3:30pm – 5:00pm with the award presentation to Provost Bob Jones at 4:00pm – Click HERE to view invitation – Two Clemson Emeritus College language programs for international students have been selected for a national award! They are the Clemson English-Speaking Proficiency (CESP) test and its follow up, the Conversations with International Students (CIS) program. Working together, those programs significantly enhance participating students’ English language skills and cultural awareness. The pair of programs received accolades from the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE) for benefitting students, improving instruction, and enhancing campus diversity. Now, it’s time to celebrate the achievement and to thank all the folks who make these programs work. It’s truly a campus-wide initiative involving emeriti CESP interviewers, emeriti CIS mentors, student participants, graduate coordinators, student-service coordinators, active faculty, department chairs, college and university administrators. Also contributing are faculty and staff from the Pearce Center, Graduate School, Office of Global Engagement. If would like to attend the award celebration, please RSVP to 656-3990 or reply to this email. Light refreshments will be served. The event will be held at the Emeritus College/511 Westinghouse Road/Pendleton

On May 1, 2018 the Emeritus College held it’s annual Emeritus Day event at the Madren Center. Emeritus Faculty were able to visit with organizations providing services to the faculty and enjoy fellowship with other faculty members. The 2017-18 emeriti were honored in the BellSouth Auditorium to a packed house! A fantastic lunch was enjoyed and Dr. Cheryl Dye provided a relevant keynote address on engaged aging. We thank President Clements and Provost Jones for attending the event as well as several deans and department chairs!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY AND INFORMATION ABOUT OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER!!

Dr. Cecil O. Huey, Professor Emeritus in Mechanical Engineering, was announced as the 2018 Distinguished Emeriti for his continued contributions since his retirement in 2006 to the University, the community and the Emeritus College. Click HERE for more information about the award and Dr. Huey’s contributions!!  Congratulations Cecil!!

EMERITUS COLLEGE WINS INNOVATION AWARD FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF RETIREMENT ORGANIZATIONS IN HIGHER ORGANIZATIONS

This national award is for two innovative Clemson programs administered by emeritus faculty (Conversations with International Students and the Clemson English Speaking Proficiency test) for the University. CLICK HERE TO SEE PRESS RELEASE.

The two vital University programs recognized utilize the talents of the Emeriti faculty to fill an essential need. The Conversations with International Students (CIS) is a mentoring program designed to assist international graduate students improve their English speaking ability and adjust to life at Clemson and Clemson English Speaking Proficiency (CESP) is a test administered to international graduate students seeking assistantships. It is designed to measure the student’s ability to answer questions proficiently in English. This partnership enhances the relationship between Emeriti and the University as well as  it is very rewarding for the Emeriti to have the one on one interaction with the International Students. These mentorships  not only improve the international student’s speaking proficiency but also helps him/her learn and experience the current culture right away after enrolling. The program is directed by Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Adolph Beyerlein, PhD. If you are an emeritus faculty member, please feel free to contact Dr. Beyerlein at  albrl@clemson.edu  with any questions about volunteering for this great program!!   Dr. Beyerlein also was the 2017 recipient of the Distinguished Emeriti Award!   

The award will be presented to the Emeritus College at the AROHE national conference in October of 2018.