President Emeritus Jim Barker was honored with the 2014 Townes Award, presented by the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM).
After 14 years as Clemson’s president, Barker is returning to the faculty in the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities. During his presidency, Barker’s vision was to enhance Clemson’s national reputation, and he guided the university to its No. 21 rank among public national universities, according to U.S.News & World Report. His tenure was marked by substantial improvement in the quality of the student body, higher retention and graduate rates, record fundraising levels and creation of major economic development and research campuses.
The Townes award is named for Dr. Charles H. Townes, South Carolina native and Furman graduate who won the Nobel Prize in physics The accolade is presented annually to individuals or institutions that have gone beyond the basic requirements of their professional positions to raise the quality of science, mathematics and technology innovation in South Carolina.
“I am honored to represent Clemson University and receive an award named after the legendary Charles Townes, said Barker. “I am humbled to review the list of previous winners of the Charles Townes Award.”
About GSSM
The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) is a two-year, public, residential high school in Hartsville, SC, specializing in the advanced study of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), with a unique emphasis on economics and entrepreneurship.
GSSM can serve as many as 300 high school juniors and seniors annually from across the state. In addition, the school impacts more than 25,000 teachers and students each year through its innovative outreach programs.
