Month: January 2020

Michael Leonard, 72, Professor Emeritus and former chair of industrial engineering at Clemson University, died Jan. 23, 2020. He retired from Clemson in 2004 and continued teaching as an adjunct until 2008.

His funeral service was Jan. 26 in Macon, Georgia.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Leonard of Macon, Georgia; by daughters, Bettie Taylor of Greenwood; Amanda Marple and husband, Chris, of Springtown, Texas; and Gabrielle Howell of Mount Juliet, Tennessee; and by three granddaughters.

Leonard graduated from the University of Florida. He was Professor Emeritus at Mercer University after serving as senior associate dean of engineering, had been chair of the industrial engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia and had been an assistant professor at Georgia Tech.

His full obituary and memorial information is posted online.

Parking Services employee George E. Dunn, III, 67, of Easley died January 23, 2020. He had been a Clemson University employee since 2016 and graduated from Clemson in 1975.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda Davis Dunn of Easley; daughter, Jordan Dunn, of Greenville; and two sisters, Arena Youtz of Flat Rock, North Carolina, and Kris Wakefield of Greenville.

The visitation will be from noon to 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Northwest, with the funeral service following at 1:30 p.m. in the Northwest Chapel. Burial will be held in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

His full obituary is posted online.

Clemson University officials are working to provide information to students, faculty and staff on how to take appropriate preventive measures related to health and wellness. Clemson University is not aware of any 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) diagnosis of any students, faculty or staff; this is a proactive measure to provide information to the campus community.

2019-nCoV is a virus identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, suggesting person-to-person spread is occurring. At this time, it is unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people.

Signs and symptoms of this illness include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

Anyone who has traveled to China in the last 14 days and who feels sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing should seek medical care right away. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.

According to the CDC, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The best way to do this is to:

• Avoid contact with others, especially those who are sick.
• Stay home and do not travel while sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. Then discard the tissue in the trash.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

There is much more to learn about the transmission, severity and other features associated with 2019-nCoV and investigations are ongoing. The latest situation summary updates are available on CDC’s web page 2019 Novel Coronavirus, Wuhan, China.

This is a rapidly changing situation. University officials are actively monitoring this world-wide situation and will communicate timely information as needed.

Issued by University Relations

Longtime Clemson University Athletics administrator George Leslie “Les” Jones, 71, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. Jones served as the director of Capital Projects and oversaw athletic facilities and grounds for nearly 33 years, from 1975 until his retirement in 2008.

“We are saddened to learn of Les’s passing and send our condolences to the Jones family,” said Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich. “Les laid the foundation and footprint for what we now have, and his impact on Clemson will be felt for a long time.”

Jones had a hand in nearly every facility during his tenure and oversaw some of the most recognizable projects at Clemson. He oversaw the construction of the upper decks at Memorial Stadium in 1978 and 1983, and the renovations to the stadium and the field.

He helped bring numerous improvements to the football gameday atmosphere, including the first electronic scoreboards in Death Valley and an increase of parking opportunities. He oversaw the movement of IPTAY and ticketing from Jervey to Memorial Stadium Gate 9, the construction of the indoor track and rowing facility. He also had a hand in the mounting of Howard’s Rock in a granite pedestal as well as the 2002 renovation of Littlejohn Coliseum.

Jones’s father, George Jones, also served in a similar role with the university, and was responsible for the original mounting of Howard’s Rock, among many other projects during his tenure as director of facilities.

Graveside services will be 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, at Woodland Cemetery on the campus of Clemson University with the Rev. Jonathan Harris officiating. There will be a reception of friends and family following the service in the South Club Section of Memorial Stadium.

The full obituary is posted online.

New gates installed on Calhoun Drive prevent traffic access between Fort Hill Street and Gantt Circle in front of Brackett Hall except to approved vehicles.

The gates were installed to improve pedestrian safety and reduce the volume of traffic in the heavily congested  area.

Approved vehicles, such as Tiger Transit buses and emergency vehicles, will carry transmitters that signal the gates to open.

Delivery or service vehicles can use the call buttons at the gates to request access from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Mable Odelle Hill Wynn, 77, Professor Emerita of parks, recreation and tourism management, died Jan. 8, 2020, at Hospice of the Upstate Inc., Rainey Hospice House, in Anderson.

She retired from Clemson University in 2000 after 25 years of service.

She began her career as an instructor in dance and physical education at South Carolina State College in Orangeburg. After 10 years, she moved to Clemson with her husband, Eddie Dowell Wynn Sr.

She served in many social and cultural organization and several government commissions, particularly those dealing with the arts and child development.

“Marvelous Mable,” as she was known to her friends, was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and was the first adviser to the Omicron Phi Chapter at Clemson University, which was chartered in 1983. She held the position of adviser until 2017, under which 27 Lines and 405 Deltas were born.

Her service will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at New Holly Light Baptist Church, 6300 Highway 187, Pendleton.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Mable H. Wynn Diversity Scholarship Endowment at Clemson University. Go to https://cualumni.clemson.edu/give/search and search for “wynn.”

Full obituary details will be published at https://www.johnsonfuneralhm.com/notices/Mable-Wynn.

Bobby Gilliland, 84, Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Computer Engineering, died Jan. 1, 2020.

Gilliland retired from Clemson in 1998 after 31 years. He served as professor, assistant dean of engineering, associate dean of engineering and special assistant to the president. He was instrumental in establishing the Clemson Congressional Liaison Office and the Clemson Office of Technology Transfer that often ranked in the top 10 among U.S. universities in terms of patent/copyright royalty income.

His full obituary is online.

As the new year gets under way at Clemson University, the Office of Human Resources and the Payroll Department have issued the following first-of-year updates for faculty and staff.

Your paycheck may appear slightly different in 2020
Beginning with the first paychecks of the new year on January 15, 2020, paychecks will reflect deduction amounts based on any changes made during the October 2019 benefits open enrollment period as well as any corrections found during the annual reconciliation process. Additionally, some of the deduction descriptions for those benefits that might appear on paychecks will be different in 2020. Access those descriptions here. These changes require no action from faculty or staff.

The IRS has issued a new W-4 for 2020
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a new W-4 for the 2020 tax year. The new W-4, designed in alignment with the 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, will no longer use withholding allowances. Faculty and staff are encouraged to reassess their tax situations and submit a new Form W-4 for the 2020 tax year. Employees who do not furnish a new Form W-4, will have their tax withholding continue based on the information on their existing W-4; however, that withholding will be based on the new 2020 tax chart, which means the actual tax withheld may change from the previous year.

To learn more, visit the 2020 Tax Information webpage and reference the following:

• New W-4 Frequently Asked Questions
• IRS Withholding Estimator to help estimate your 2020 tax liability
• Quick Reference guide for using the IRS Withholding Estimator

After reviewing your tax situation, you may complete and submit a new Form W-4 online.

For additional assistance, contact payroll@clemson.edu or call 864-656-2000.

Improved messaging regarding employee benefits
The Office of Human Resources works hard to keep faculty and staff informed of important information related to their specific employee benefits situation. In support of this effort, employees may receive email messages from clemsonbenefits@benefitfocus.com. These messages are legitimate, and employees should not disregard these messages or mark them as spam. Messages from this address will contain important information related to the specific benefits in which an employee is enrolled. Additionally, faculty and staff will continue to receive messages from the Office of Human Resources with information that applies more generally to Clemson faculty and staff.

Questions?
Contact the Office of Human Resources (Ask-HR / 864-656-2000).

DISCLAIMER: THE OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES, THE PAYROLL DEPARTMENT AND CLEMSON UNIVERSITY ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ASSIST ANY STUDENT OR EMPLOYEE WITH ANY IRS TAX FORM PREPARATION OR TAX-RELATED QUESTIONS. THE INFORMATION INCLUDED ON THIS PAGE IS INTENDED FOR YOUR BENEFIT. ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO A CERTIFIED TAX PREPARER OR A LOCAL IRS FIELD OFFICE.

Samantha Y. Alvarez, 24, passed away on Jan. 4, 2020. Alvarez was a senior criminal justice major from Stafford, Virginia. She was an active member of Clemson’s chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a national co-ed service fraternity.

“Samantha was an inspiration to all who knew her,” said L. Christopher Miller, interim vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students. “While we are saddened by her death, we find comfort in knowing the impact she made on the Clemson University community. Please continue to have her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”

A celebration of her life will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 18825 Fuller Heights Road, Triangle, Virginia 22172. Her full obituary is posted online.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is providing grief counseling to students. Any student who wants to speak to a counselor should contact CAPS at 864-656-2451. A walk-in clinic is open in Redfern Health Center from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Clemson University Obituaries
Obituaries for active employees, retirees and current students are issued by Inside Clemson once we are able to confirm the information. Since faculty and staff live and work throughout the state, we depend on university departments, colleagues or friends to notify us of the deaths of active employees and retirees.

Students with disabilities are thriving at Clemson University with the support they are receiving to remove barriers that might keep them from succeeding. Priscilla Harrison, director of ADA Services and Compliance in the Office of Access and Equity and chair of the Accessibility Commission, said Clemson supports an environment that’s inclusive, where everyone feels supported, safe and comfortable. “For us, providing accessibility is not only about compliance, it’s the right thing to do.”

Learn more by exploring this important new video.