Clemson University historian named to prestigious Liberty Fellowship

Clemson University historian Otis Westbrook Pickett has been selected as one of 21 members of the latest Liberty Fellowship class, chosen from a pool of more than 600 applicants. The Class of 2027 was announced on May 19.

Pickett is the fifth person affiliated with Clemson to receive the honor. Previous Clemson Liberty Fellows include Windsor Westbrook Sherrill, John Ballato, Craig Kinley and Clemson Trustee David E. Dukes.

Founded in 2004, Liberty Fellowship is an 18-month leadership development program that is part of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. The program brings together South Carolina leaders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to address challenges facing the state through dialogue and collaboration.

Since its inception, more than 350 fellows have participated in initiatives focused on areas including education, healthcare, manufacturing, food access and local government.

Pickett, a Charleston native, said the fellowship’s emphasis on bringing together people with different viewpoints aligns with values he learned growing up.

“My mom was really passionate about racial healing work, so I learned that very young from her,” Pickett said. “That’s one reason why this fellowship really appealed to me, because they gather people from diverse political perspectives, racial perspectives and socioeconomic backgrounds and bring them together.”

Pickett earned a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in religion from Clemson in 2003. He later received a master’s degree in history through the College of Charleston and The Citadel in 2008 and completed a doctorate in history at the University of Mississippi in 2013.

Before returning to Clemson, Pickett taught at the University of Mississippi and Mississippi College. He joined Clemson in 2022 as the university historian.

Pickett said his interest in Clemson began at an early age through visits to campus with his grandfather, Robert Westbrook, a 1950 Clemson graduate and Korean War veteran.

As university historian, Pickett works to help preserve and interpret Clemson’s history, including aspects of the institution’s past that can be challenging or complex.

“History doesn’t always make you feel better,” Pickett said. “But it can always be something that helps us understand who we were more fully, better appreciate where we’ve come from and learn from the missteps we made on the way.”