Jo Ann McNatt, Clemson University Professor Emerita of Languages, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
She began her Clemson career on August 16, 1965, teaching French for 27 years until her retirement on June 30, 1993.
McNatt earned her bachelor’s degree from Furman University, her master’s from Emory University and her doctorate from UNC Chapel Hill.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 4 p.m. at Clemson United Methodist Church.
Taylor Hutchens, Operations Coordinator, Clemson FRESH and CAFLS Alumni & Career Events
“During Hurricane Helene, we had to cancel two major CAFLS Alumni events scheduled for Friday and Saturday, which required much commmunication and coordination. Taylor was without power at her home Friday and still came to campus to help me coordinate the details and cancel all of the many reservations and committments we had out there! She went ABOVE and BEYOND her duties this weekend! ” – Paula Beecher, Director of Alumni and Career Services for CAFLS
David Milton Metts, Data Analytics
“David drove 250 gallons of water to Asheville from Orangeburg to help people in need during Hurricane Helene.” – Anonymous
Want to shout-out a colleague for their great work? Fill out our short nomination form and visit previous editions!
Verne House, Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology and extension specialist, passed away on September 13, 2024.
House began his Clemson career on February 1, 1989 and retired on June 30, 1998, total more than nine years of service to the University.
Emily Arrowood and Melinda Thomas, HRIS Business Analyst and HR Assistant
Emily and Melinda have been indispensable assets during the Fall hiring season. Emily processes all of the student hire change requests, and Mindy is the I-9 guru! Thank you for all you do behind the scenes to get our employees set up in the system!! – Allison Root, HRPL – College of Education
Gretchen Waugaman, Student Services Coordinator and Lecturer in Nieri Department of Construction, Development and Planning
Gretchen goes over and beyond to connect with faculty, staff, and students. She’s a positive light and support to all! – Shay Vinson, Interim Director of Student Services for CAAC
Emily Coe, Scholarship Coordinator, Student Financial Aid
Emily manually processes hundreds of graduate fellowships and awards by herself every term, and I don’t think she receives the credit or recognition she deserves. Grad students wouldn’t get their money without her. Thank you so much, Emily! – Anonymous
Want to shout-out a colleague for their great work? Fill out our short nomination form and visit previous editions!
Melissa McLane, Post Award Accountant, College of Scie
Melissa is incredibly professional, prompt, helpful! Being new to the Clemson family, Melissa has been a consistent resource and help to me. She is an asset to her team and to Clemson! – Meredith Williams, Grants Administrator, Office of Sponsored Programs
Kelsey Loftus, Business Analyst, Dean of the Graduate School
Kelsey knows her job inside and out. She is a perfect example of someone who goes out of their way to help in any way possible! – Anonymous
Christie Ackerman, Executive Assistant to the Dean, College of Education
Christie is the definition of helpful. She is always anticipating the needs of our COE faculty and staff and works tirelessly to support College initiatives. Christie consistently puts the needs of others first and should be recognized for her efforts. – Valerie Oonk, Director of Undergraduate Student Services, College of Education
Tonya Bledsoe, Office Manager, Materials Science and Engineering
Tonya is always so willing to step up and help out. She is always smiling and wonderful to work with. – Dana Simpson, Admin Coordinator I, Dean’s Office, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
Want to shout-out a colleague for their great work? Fill out our short nomination form and visit previous editions!
Renu Chakravarti Laskar, Professor Emerita of Mathematical Sciences, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2024.
Laskar began her Clemson career on August 16, 1968, and retired from the School of Mathematics and Statistical Sciences on March 1, 2006, totaling more than 37 years of service.
Born in Bihar, India, she received the highest score in the state of Bihar when taking the exam to earn her four-year bachelor’s degree. She earned a Fulbright Scholarship and became the first female Indian to earn a doctorate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1962.
After three years at the Indian Institute of Technology (where she became the first female faculty member) and another three at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, she came to Clemson with her husband, renowned physics professor Amulya Lal Laskar.
Laskar was profiled last year in “Women in science: How 5 women with Clemson ties are making a difference.”
A celebration of life is planned for October 19, 2024, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Alameda Family Funeral and Cremation in Saratoga, Calif. Her obituary is available online.
James F. Hodges, retired senior extension agent, passed away on September 8, 2024, at the age of 72.
He began his Clemson career on November 3, 2000, and retired on February 14, 2020, as a senior extension agent for the Greenwood County Extension Office. He served more than 19 years with the University.
Raymond Noblet, retired professor of entomology, passed away on August 6, 2024. He is survived by his wife Gayle Noblet, Professor Emerita of Biological Sciences.
Noblet began his Clemson career on March 1, 1970, retiring in on March 1, 2000, after 30 years of service. He served as president of Faculty Senate and helped establish The Institute for Wildlife and Environmental Toxicology (TIWET) at the University.
Henry Rack, Professor Emeritus of Materials Science & Engineering, passed away on September 11, 2024.
He began his Clemson career on January 7, 1985, and retired under the TERI Retirement Plan on January 1, 2010. He resumed his role as a professor until the end of 2014, capping a nearly 30-year career with the University.
His online obituary and memorial service information will be shared when available.
