Mary Polen, retired administrative assistant with the National Dropout Prevention Center, passed away on April 21, 2025.
Polen began her Clemson career on October 28, 1977, and retired on July 1, 1994. She was then rehired from 1996 to 2011, totaling 32 years of service with the University. In addition to the National Dropout Prevention Center, she also worked for the computer center and provost’s office.
Sarah Reeves, Financial Business Manager, Student Affairs Business Operations
“Sarah goes above and beyond daily to support the Division of Student Affairs departments, students, and campus partners. She steps up to any challenge. Sarah leads by example, works hard to always ensure everything is done the right way, and helps everyone that she can when needed!” – Lisa Bona, Chief Business Operations Officer, Student Affairs Business Operations
Madeline Hellmich, Public Historian
“I’m super proud of Madeline’s recent success in making a digitally accessible PDF publication for Cemetery Hill. Learning to use Adobe InDesign is a steep curve — add to that the understanding and application of digital accessibility concepts, and you easily have a heavy lift on your hands for a beginner. Madeline immediately jumped on the opportunity and produced a beautiful, accessible newsletter with minimal coaching! Excellent work, Madeline.” – Walker Massey, Digital Accessibility Specialist, CCIT Internal Operations
Amie Bennett, Finance Manager, VIPR-GS
“Thank you for being such a great teammate and team player. Amie is always willing to jump in and help with a smile on her face!” – Anonymous
Steven Kay, Building Assessment Tech, University Facilities
“Thank you for sprucing up Barre Hall suite 109. We appreciate everything you are doing to make our building / suite cleaner and more presentable.” – Grants staff, 109 Barre Hall
Clemson University mourns the death of Brenda Burk, University records officer for Clemson Libraries.
“Brenda will be deeply missed by everyone in the Libraries. She was truly passionate about archiving and preserving history, and she made a huge impact in her roles leading Special Collections and Archives and Records Management. She was dedicated to her work and was very good at engaging with the campus community,” said Clemson Libraries Dean Chris Cox. “My thoughts go out to Brenda’s family and friends during this difficult time, as well as to her colleagues here in the Libraries and across campus.”
Burk began her Clemson career on April 7, 2014, totaling more than 11 years of service with the University.
“We are deeply saddened to learn the news of Brenda’s passing. Brenda has been a valuable member of our University community over her 11 years at Clemson,” said Ariel Turner, associate dean of collections and discovery. “Her passion for preserving and interpreting our local history and her work on records management have been enormously impactful. We send our deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones.”
“Her passion for helping others related to history and Clemson has been beneficial to all with Clemson University,” said Rick Owens, historic preservation officer with University Facilities.
Counseling services are available to faculty and staff through ComPsych, the University’s Employee Assistance Program provider, at 866-365-0813.
Her online obituary with service information will be updated when information is available.
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.
Daniel “Dan” Herr, retired University engineer with Facilities Maintenance Services, passed away on March 26, 2025.
Herr was a Clemson alumnus who began his Clemson career on September 27, 1971, and retired on January 3, 2003, totaling more than 31 years with the University.
Herr helped design the Outdoor Lab and the Class of 1944 Visitors Center, as well as laying out C-L-E-M-S-O-N on the upper deck of Memorial Stadium.
His daughter, Marianne Glaser, is a principal lecturer in the Department of Communication.
Daniel Herr’s obituary is available online (registration may be required). A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 21 at Grandview Cemetery Chapel in Maryville, Tenn., followed by a gathering at Springbrook Park in Alcoa, Tenn.
Hilliard Gregory Harvey, retired assistant extension director for Sumter County, passed away on May 5, 2025.
He began his Clemson career on September 5, 1983, and retired on July 1, 2009, totaling nearly 26 years of service with the University.
Human Resources Training and Onboarding Team
“I offer an enthusiastic Shout-out to Alexis Shepard, Training/Onboarding Specialist and the excellent Human Resources Training and Onboarding team, Alanna Landreth, Mary-Kate Califf, Cara Checchio, and Katie Smithson. This brilliant, devoted team is equipped with an understanding of digital accessibility and a more profound knowledge of Microsoft Word features. Not only will they be able to produce accessible documents for current and future employees, but applying their new knowledge will streamline their writing, making their publishing process more efficient. Thanks for hosting me for this workshop – I’m looking forward to our next session on digital accessibility for PowerPoint!” – Walker Massey, Digital Accessibility Specialist, CCIT Internal Operations
Bryan Smith, Area Extension Agent, Laurens County Cooperative Extension Office
“Bryan is always willing to help. He has been a tremendous resource in assisting Extension Agents with learning Salesforce and recently delivered a training on Excel for the South Carolina Association of Extension Administrative Professionals. I appreciate his willingness to step up and support others. Thank you, Bryan.” – Anonymous
Morgan Leeke, Benefits Counselor, HR
“Morgan was super responsive and helpful when navigating the FMLA process. It can be a bit daunting, but she made it easy. Thanks, Morgan!” – Anonymous
George Milton Moore, retired Associate Vice President of Alumni Relations and Development and member of the Emeritus College, passed away on April 23, 2025.
Moore earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Clemson in 1958. He entered Clemson College as a freshman ROTC Cadet in September 1949, but left to enlist in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He served with the 12th Fighter Wing, 8th Air Force, out of Austin, Texas, with extended duty at Manston RAF in England and Misawa AFD in Japan.
Moore returned to Clemson on August 17, 1959, and retired on June 30, 1988, totaling 29 years of service. He received the University’s Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 1975.
Necole Richardson, Administrative Coordinator, College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences
“Necole is extremely helpful and always cheerful when asked to assist with scheduling and other aspects related to the Dean and other staff in CAFLS. She is thorough in her work, very professional, and works hard to make sure the college thrives. Everything she does is appreciated!” – Anonymous
Mac Gavin, Research Assistant, Psychology
“Thank you for being a good worker, team player, and bright spot in the lives of your colleagues and participants. You adapt to change with ease and you always find a way to be kind.” – Anonymous
Emily Metzger, Leisure Skills Director
“Emily is an advocate for her students as well as the instructors she is in charge of. Having a passionate supervisor makes this job enjoyable!” – Anonymous
Herman Senter, Associate Professor Emeritus of Mathematical Sciences, passed away on April 25, 2025.
Senter began his Clemson career on August 15, 1974, and retired on December 20, 2007. He was rehired in 2008 and was hired as a Named Professor in 2009-2011, joining the Emeritus College on July 30, 2015. Senter totaled more than 36 years of service with the University.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from North Carolina State University in 1965, followed in 1967 by a Master of Science in Textile Technology from the Institute of Textile Technology in Charlottesville, Va. He returned to NC State to earn his Ph.D. in Mathematical Sciences in 1973.
Senter played a key role in establishing the Foothills Group of the South Carolina Chapter of the Sierra Club, serving as its interim chair. His environmental advocacy also extended to active involvement with the Coastal Conservation League, The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina, Upstate Forever, and the Chattooga Conservancy.
His online obituary and memorial information will be shared when available.
