Tag: Libraries

Kelsey Wylie, Exec Assistant to Senior Associate Provost- Academic Affairs/Faculty Affairs

“Kelsey keeps a complex set of “trains” running on time and headed in the right directions! We’re grateful for your service-oriented approach and pleasant professional demeanor!” – Anonymous

Dani Brewer, Faculty Systems Coordinator, Office of the Provost
“Dani is always willing to pitch-in, even when (perhaps especially when) it requires learning new things. We’re grateful to have a talented team and Dani adds much with her talent and commitment!” – Anonymous

Jessica Serrao, Metadata Librarian for Digital Collections
“Jessica plays a crucial role in our Metadata Services unit by creating descriptive metadata for digital collections and managing workflows and partnerships across departments. She mentors early career faculty, is always ready to help, and is a kind-hearted and inspiring colleague.” Tomeka Jackson, Resident Librarian , Collections and Discovery 

Dave Sargent, Counselor and Director of IT, Center for Career and Professional Development
“A huge thank you to Dave Sargent! For seven years, Dave has been a steadfast supporter of our JCPenney Suit-Up events and Career Clothes Closet. He generously gives up his Sunday afternoons to ensure our technology runs smoothly and even helps transport clothing—whether by golf cart or truck. His dedication, long hours, and ever-positive attitude make a lasting impact. We appreciate you, Dave—thank you for always coming through for us!” – Caren Kelley-Hall, Senior Associate Director – UPIC/Clemson Career Clothes Closet

Ryan Real and Colby Lanham, Institutional and Operational Communications
“This (and every) issue of OURClemson is digitally accessible thanks to the calculated work of Ryan Real and Colby Lanham. They intentionally use high-contrast colors, descriptive link text, and accessible structure elements like headings and bulleted lists, and they check (and double-check!) image alternative text on photos. Ryan & Colby, the Digital Accessibility team at Clemson appreciates your commitment to providing internal news that everyone can access.” – Walker Massey, Digital Accessibility Specialist, CCIT Internal Operations

Sherri Rowland, University Controller

“Sherri was so helpful with an issue – she was quick and direct in getting me the answer I needed to solve my problem. I really appreciate her willingness to ensure that assistance was provided!” – Anonymous

Jen Jones, Metadata Specialist, Clemson Libraries

“Jen is an amazing co-worker who helps our Metadata Services Team stay updated on the latest AI tools we can integrate into our workflows. Jen is also pursuing a PhD in Digital History and regularly shares new insights with the team. Additionally, she is the creative force behind our library’s Halloween Pumpkin Contests, where we won in two categories!” – Tomeka Jackson, Library Resident

Cassie Gregory, Lab Tech, Bioengineering

“Cassie goes above and beyond every day for the department. If anyone needs help, she is the first one to say yes. We had five events on November 1st and without her, I would have never been able to get it all done. She is the true definition of what Teamwork is. We have worked together for 16 years. She is a pillar in the department, and we are all very blessed to have her.” – Leigh Humphries,Executive Assistant to the Department Chair/Office

Latasha Chappell, Early Childhood and Elementary Placement Coordinator

“Latasha consistently goes above and beyond to support early childhood students in their field placements. She actively problem-solves, offers guidance, and responds promptly to their needs.” – Koti Hubbard, Lecturer of Early Childhood Education

Want to shout-out a colleague for their great work? Fill out our short nomination form and visit previous editions!

Katie Smithson, Director of Communications, HR and Payroll 

“The Digital Accessibility team is excited to shout out another talented advocate for document accessibility – Katie Smithson! Katie worked quickly and thoroughly to apply new knowledge about WCAG 2.1 standards to Clemson’s New Employee Handbook. Thank you, Katie, for advocating for accessibility and ensuring every new Clemson employee can access these helpful resources and information. I’m excited to continue working with you as you create documents from which all employees will benefit.” – Walker Massey, Digital Accessibility Specialist, CCIT Internal Operations

Wayne Orego, Web Developer for CAFLS, Marketing & Communications

“Wayne has worked on numerous projects for CAFLS Academic Affairs, including a complete overhaul of the CAFLS Advantage websites last summer and now an extensive project reviewing and updating all Academic Affairs webpages. Wayne’s attention to detail, patience, and promptness make him an excellent co-worker! I am so appreciative of all his work to help us.” – Lillian Essaf, Administrative Coordinator, CAFLS Academic Affairs

Nick Baldwin, Library Specialist, Clemson Libraries

“He is always willing to lend a helping hand and always learning. He has done a great job with getting more students involved with the Data Viz Lab in Cooper Library!” – Anonymous

Want to shout-out a colleague for their great work? Fill out our short nomination form and visit previous editions!

Teri Alexander, Director, Learning Environments, Libraries

“Teri works 24-7 to ensure that students, faculty and library staff enjoy a safe, secure library. If there is an emergency, say, a broken water pipe, Teri is Johnny-on-the-spot with help to handle it. Also, she is a true team player and promotes camaraderie among library staff.”  – Anonymous 

Elizabeth Milam, Director of the Office of Student Financial Aid | Jennifer Williams, Associate Director of the Office of Student Financial Aid

“Congratulations to Elizabeth Milam and Jennifer Williams on their recent designation as a nationally recognized Certified Financial Aid Administrator®. This certification is a prestigious accomplishment highlighting their extensive knowledge in their profession, and we are honored to celebrate their dedication and support of students throughout the financial aid process. During a turbulent year with the rollout of FAFSA Simplification, we could not be more grateful to have the expertise of both Elizabeth and Jennifer.” – Division of Enrollment Management

John Kozlowski, Administrative Project Manager, Procurement and Business Services

“John knocked it out of the park while assiting us in reviewing and revising the approval workflow in BuyWays. We gave him an outline of how we would like it to work and he made it happen! We now have a working template to request any future updates as needed.” – Anonymous

Want to shout-out a colleague for their great work? Fill out our short nomination form!

Weston Link, Building Manager for Biological Sciences (Jordan Hall)

“Weston always goes above and beyond to help and assist others whenever or wherever he is needed. He has done an excellent job since joining the BioSci team!” – Anonymous

Jessica Kohout-Tailor, Interim Learning Commons Director, University Libraries

“Dr. Jessica Kohout-Tailor cares deeply about the students at Clemson and works hard to ensure that the newly developing Learning Commons at Cooper Library does all that it can to become a hub for student growth and development. The events and collaborations taking place within the Learning Commons are shaping how students perceive the connections between various campus support services.” – Anonymous

Dr. Charles Privette III, Department Chair & Professor, Agricultural Sciences

“Dr. Privette is an EXCELLENT chair and a visionary leader, we love how he leads our department. He is very kind and collegial. We appreciate you, Dr. Privette!” – Anonymous

By Carolina Kredensor
Class of 2019

The Clemson Libraries recently secured a grant from Clemson’s Information Technology Student Advisory Board (ITSAB) to support an open-source online homework system called WeBWork.

Many instructors in lower-division math, science, engineering and business classes that are heavy in mathematical calculations, use online homework platforms that collect and grade student assignments. Unlike traditional written homework that is graded and returned to students a week later, these platforms give them instant feedback on whether their answers are right or wrong. This helps students identify their mistakes, strengths and weaknesses, which can greatly improve their learning.

But commercial systems can be very expensive, costing as much as $100 per student per course. Produced by large publishers, their questions are tied to expensive publisher textbooks, which often do not fully meet the needs of instructors and forbid them from selecting other textbooks, some of which are free for students to use.

Matt Saltzman, Matt Macauley and Michael Burr, professors in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, began searching for a solution. They discovered WeBWork, an open source system which was originally developed for a physics course at the University of Rochester and has since been upgraded with many grants, including some from the Mathematical Association of America.

Saltzman installed WeBWork on a server provided by the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences’ Information Technology Services, and Macauley and Burr use it to teach their fall 2019 courses.

WeBWork is free for both faculty and students and can be used in any lower-division STEM and business courses that require students to do homework involving mathematical calculations. “It can provide homework for students in dozens of classes simultaneously,” Salzman said.

“The system also has many advantages over commercial platforms,” according to Burr. “WeBWork is built using a more robust programming language and has more flexibility in generating questions. It also collects data beyond student grades, such as the number of attempts per question, which can be used by instructors to better analyze student performance, determine areas where a student is struggling and assist them.”

The professors hope to use WeBWork again next semester if the current trial of the server is successful. However, there are still a few challenges. Though there are new commercial services that host WeBWork for a fee, Saltzman, Macauley and Burr are hosting it locally to keep costs low. For now, Saltzman is serving as a volunteer administrator, but scaling up and developing a long-term sustainable approach to hosting and maintaining the system will require support from IT staff or students.

Yang Wu, the open resources librarian at Clemson Libraries, worked to find financial assistance to get the project started during the summer of 2019 by contacting Undergraduate Student Government for help.

Reducing the cost of learning materials is a major priority for Logan Young, Undergraduate Student Body president, who worked to secure the grant from the IT Student Advisory Board, a governance group that manages 10 percent of student IT fees and uses it to fund initiatives benefitting students.

Zachary Pate, chairman of ITSAB, welcomed the WeBWork project, noting that cash-strapped students often try to finish a course without required materials.

“I’ve heard so many different stories of students who will calculate how well they can do in a class without purchasing certain items,” Pate said.

Clemson Libraries
Clemson Libraries is Clemson’s first place for information. Clemson Libraries’ collection boasts 1.2 million print volumes, complemented by over 500,000 eBooks and 82,000+ electronic journal subscriptions. The Libraries’ faculty, staff and student assistants are dedicated to ensuring student success by providing the information resources and services needed to complete assignments, attain degrees and excel in the workplace.