Barker highlights progress on strategic plan during end-of-the-year meeting

CLEMSON, SC – December 21, 2011 – Clemson University President James F. Barker closed the fall semesterWednesday, announcing that the university is on track toward the goalsoutlined in “Clemson 2020,” including advances in recruiting students,completing facilities and recruiting and retaining faculty and staff.

Applications for admission to Clemson next fall are up eight percent at this time over last year’s record number, he reported.

“We are fortunate that Clemson continues to be the first choice ofthe best high school graduates in South Carolina, and out-of-stateapplications are also increasing significantly, he said.

In addition, he announced that Clemson is doubling the universityaward to Palmetto Fellows for next fall and increasing merit andneed-based aid for out of state students.

“The Will to Lead campaign has raised $542 million dollars to date,” Barker said. “Thecampaign has created more than 300 scholarships and fellowships andalmost 100 endowed chairs, professorships or faculty support awards andprograms. Simply stated, that means 1,300 individual students’ liveschanged and 100 individual faculty’s lives changed as a result of thiscampaign.”

Barker also shared that the Class of 1956 Academic Success Center andthe Lee Hall addition are being completed this spring, with workprogressing on the new Life Sciences building as well.

Barker ended with a note of cautious optimism regarding state funding prospects for next year.

“I’ve been encouraged by some of the meetings we’vehad recently with State leaders regarding our funding prospects for theupcoming year.  State revenues are recovering, but the economic recoveryis still somewhat fragile. I don’t anticipate further state budget cutsnext year, though, and that’s the good news. “

Clemson faculty and staff members recognized during the meeting include:

• Anand Gramopadhye, vice president for workforce development,received the Ralph D. Elliott Endowed Award for Outstanding Serviceto Off-Campus, Distance and Continuing Education.
• Desmond Layne received the Rowland P. Alston Sr. Award forExcellence in Public Relations. He is the state horticultureprogram team leader, associate professor of pomology and extensiontree fruit specialist.
• The Thomas Green Clemson Award for Excellence was presented toJack McKenzie and Robert Lippert. McKenzie is donor relationsdirector and Lippert is associate professor of soil sciences andstatewide Hispanic 4-H coordinator.