Nursing professor receives South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, retires after 40 years of service to Clemson University

Ann Wetsel, professor in the Clemson University School of Nursing (CUSON), received the highest civilian honor in the state of South Carolina, the Order of the Palmetto, in recognition of her lifetime achievements and contributions to the field of nursing and commitment to the health and well-being of individuals and communities across South Carolina and beyond.

Awarded by Governor Henry McMaster, the Order of the Palmetto is presented to individuals who have exhibited a lifetime of extraordinary achievement, service and contributions on a statewide or national scale. It recognizes those who have selflessly dedicated their careers and given of their time and resources to benefit their fellow citizens and the prosperity of South Carolina.

Additionally, Wetsel retired from the University in August after 40 years of service and was inducted as an emerita professor of nursing at the Emeritus College celebration in April.

“I am deeply honored to receive the Order of the Palmetto. As I reflect on four decades of service to Clemson and a nursing career spanning many more years, it was especially meaningful to celebrate this achievement with the people – my family, colleagues and friends – who have been such an important part of my personal and professional journeys,” said Wetsel. “I am filled with gratitude for this honor and the opportunity to have served the students of Clemson University and people of South Carolina all these years.”

In the School of Nursing, Wetsel served as associate director of academic programs and was instrumental in curriculum development for undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. She led the development of an academic partnership between Prisma Health and CUSON to benefit undergraduate and graduate nurse education as well as patient care for South Carolinians.

She was critical to the development and accreditation of advanced nursing degrees in health care genetics and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program and provided mentorship to doctoral students on dissertation and project committees.

Over the course of her career, Wetsel advanced nursing research through externally funded grants and scholarly journal publications. Her work resulted in high-quality care for sexual assault survivors, expansion of the sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) workforce in Upstate South Carolina, growth of the primary care family nurse practitioner workforce in South Carolina communities and implementation of nurse-led education for workforce development in the South Carolina Midlands and Appalachian regions.

“On behalf of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS), I extend our sincere appreciation for Dr. Wetsel’s career-long commitment to academic excellence, nursing workforce development and the College’s mission to build people and communities,” said Leslie Hossfeld, dean of CBSHS. “The Order of the Palmetto award is indicative of her lasting contributions to the field of nursing and citizens of South Carolina, and it is an outstanding way to commemorate a career of service to others.”

In recognition of her extraordinary academic contributions to the School of Nursing, Wetsel received Clemson University’s Thomas Green Clemson Award for Excellence in 2019. This University level award was established to recognize Clemson faculty and staff for exemplary teaching, research and service and significant, sustained contributions to academic life at the University.

“Dr. Wetsel is a beloved member of the Clemson Family and an exceptional leader, educator, clinician and mentor. The Order of the Palmetto is a well-deserved honor and serves as testament to her remarkable career – one filled with excellence in research and teaching and dedicated service to her students, colleagues, community and state,” said John Whitcomb, director and chief academic nursing officer of CUSON. “It is a privilege and honor to celebrate her career achievements and the legacy of compassionate servant leadership she leaves at Clemson University and beyond.”

The School of Nursing is a part of the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences. Established in July 2016, CBSHS is a 21st-century, land-grant college that combines work in nine disciplines – communication; nursing; parks, recreation and tourism management; political science; psychology; public health sciences; sociology, anthropology and criminal justice – to further its mission of “building people and communities” in South Carolina and beyond.