National leaders in science, health and sport business recognized for innovation

CHARLESTON, SC – South Carolina scientists and mathematicians leading the country in their career achievements are now among those honored by The Citadel Academy of Science and Mathematics. The academy honored professionals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in their work. The academy’s annual awards event was held on March 12 and included highlights of the innovative work being accomplished by cadets, students and their faculty advisors as well as major initiatives underway within The Citadel School of Science and Mathematics.

“It is a great honor to be surrounded by professionals from our state who are taking the lead, nationally in many cases, in mathematics and science innovation and education,” said Citadel Dean of Science and Mathematics Lok C. Lew Yan Voon. “These leaders have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the development of their work as well as to the community around them.”

Among those honored were Dr. Thomas Blackwell, Dr. David Fleming, Dr. Richard Porcher and Brig. Gen. Harvey W. Schiller.

Blackwell, a 1981 graduate of The Citadel, was inducted into the academy as a distinguished alumnus for his achievements as a physician, educator, entrepreneur and expert in emergency medical services and disaster medicine.

Blackwell was instrumental in creating the Charlotte, North Carolina, Advanced Local Emergency Response Team in 1998with the assistance of local police, fire, EMS and public health officials. This team has served as a model for the United States’ government for local counterterrorism response resources and partnerships.

Combining his background in disaster preparedness with entrepreneurship, Blackwell invented the world’s first mobile emergency hospital system and now serves as CEO of MED-1 Partners, the company which manufactures these systems. Blackwell has extensive involvement in community EMS programs and has been widely published in the fields of disaster and emergency medicine.

 

2015 honorees for the Academy of Science and Mathematics Awards:

Blackwell currently serves as a professor of emergency medicine, director of the EMT training program and assistant dean at the University of South Carolina’s School of Medicine in Greenville, South Carolina.

Fleming, a 1991 graduate of The Citadel, was inducted into the academy as a distinguished alumnus for his professional and scholarly achievements in integrating science, technology and physical activity into out-of-school education programs for at-risk youth.

Fleming has taught at the elementary, high school, undergraduate and graduate levels and currently teaches research methods at Clemson University. In a relatively short career, he has accumulated an extensive publication record and has secured more than $3.7 million in externally funded grants to support his work. In addition, he has held leadership positions in professional organizations at the local, regional and national levels such as the American Educational Research Association and the Society of Health and Physical Education as well as serving as a volunteer for the Palmetto Boys State Leadership Program.

Fleming currently serves as the principal investigator for GoalPOST (Goal-Oriented Performance in Out of School Time), a partnership between Clemson University and two Anderson county school districts. One focus of GoalPOST is to integrate science and technology activities with out-of-school physical activities to improve academic achievement for at-risk youth.

Porcher was honored for his career-long achievements as an educator and conservationist. He was a biology professor at The Citadel from 1970 to 2003 where he made biology a mainstream subject by integrating natural and cultural history into the curriculum.

 

In 2007, Porcher was the recipient of the South Carolina Environmentalist of the Year Award, and he currently serves as a trustee of the South Carolina Nature Conservancy. He is also on the board of directors for the Charleston Library Society, the Waring Library and the Carolina Golf Rice Foundation.

In addition, Porcher assists the Lowcountry Open Land Trust in its outreach and education activities with landowners, financial supporters and the public by conducting nature walks, information sessions and public speaking engagements advocating the benefits of land conservation and the prescribed fire and re-establishment of the longleaf pine habitat.  The author of several definitive books on South Carolina botanical and cultural resources, he has dedicated the proceeds of his books to student scholarships.

Porcher is currently working with Dr. Joel Gramling, associate professor of biology at The Citadel, on a new book titledWildflowers of the South Carolina Coastal Plain.

Schiller, a 1960 graduate of The Citadel, was inducted into the academy as a distinguished alumnus for his academic, military and business career.

Schiller earned a master’s and doctorate in chemistry from the University of Michigan and holds honorary doctorates from The Citadel, Northern Michigan University and the United States Sports Academy. He was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force from 1963 to 1986, attaining the rank of brigadier general. He received several military awards including the Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross.

In 1980, the president of the United States appointed Schiller as a permanent professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy where he served as chairman of the department of chemistry and became involved in amateur athletics. Later, he became a consultant to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and served as executive director and secretary general of the United State Olympic Committee. In addition, he was also a member of the International Olympic Committee Commission on Women and Sports, president of the International Baseball Federation, CEO of YankeeNets and president of Turner Sports, Inc.

Schiller currently serves as commercial commissioner of America’s Cup 35, vice chairman of Diversified Search and chairman of Schiller Management Group (SMG), a global consulting and business solutions company.

 

About The Citadel

Charleston, South Carolina. The Citadel offers a classic military college education for young men and women profoundly focused on leadership excellence and academic distinction. Graduates are not required to serve in the military but about 30 percent of each class commission as officers in every branch of U.S. military service. Graduates of The Citadel have served the nation, their state and their communities as principled leaders since the college was founded in 1842. The Citadel Graduate College offers more than 50 Master’s degrees and graduate certificates in a wide range of disciplines, plus six undergraduate programs, through an all-evening schedule. Some graduate courses are available online.