A South Carolina native, Dr. Hawkins was born and raised in the small town of Johnston. His Clemson journey began as an undergraduate, earning a B.S. in Ceramic Engineering in 1999. After graduation, he worked in Spartanburg in the fiber optic cable industry before returning to Clemson to pursue graduate studies. He earned his M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering in 2005.
Since then, Dr. Hawkins has held a variety of research roles focused on optical fibers and optical materials, building extensive expertise in the field. In 2020, he earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering and joined the department as a Research Assistant Professor while also serving as director of the optical fiber laboratory.
In 2026, Dr. Hawkins reached another significant milestone in his Clemson career with his promotion to Associate Research Professor. His career reflects a longstanding commitment to research, innovation, and the Clemson community.
Outside of his work at Clemson, Dr. Hawkins lives in Clemson with his wife, Wendy, who retired from a career in public school teaching in 2026, and their son.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Wade Hawkins on this well-deserved promotion and wishing him continued success in the next chapter of his career!
