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Supporting the Next Generation of STEM PhDs

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Bridge to Doctorate Program to fund, educate and mentor underrepresented students

The inaugural class of Clemson’s Bridge to Doctorate Graduate Program began their studies on campus this summer and fall. Funded by a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program, along with additional resources provided by the University, full financial support is being provided to a cohort of 12 incoming underrepresented Ph.D. students enrolled in select programs in the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences or the College of Science.

The cohort comprises diverse scientific leaders with expertise in advanced materials research, which will “further support the state by graduating qualified Ph.D.s with expertise aligned to the needs of the broad spectrum of industries in South Carolina,” according to Oliver J. Myers, associate professor and associate dean of inclusion and equity in the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences.

The students will receive a $32,000 stipend for their first two years of education and research through the NSF’s funding, and the University will cover the cost of their remaining three years. In addition, participants will benefit from individual faculty and peer mentoring, advising and advocacy, as well as a built-in network for professional development and support.

 
 

Alumni Master Teacher: Allen N. Swords ’97, M ’02

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Students chose Allen N. Swords as the 2022 Alumni Master Teacher. Swords is a senior lecturer in the Department of English of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities, and he teaches courses on sequential art, Holocaust literature and art, and the Vietnam War and Star Wars mythos. The award for outstanding undergraduate classroom instruction is presented each spring to a faculty member nominated by the student body and selected by the Student Alumni Council.

“I am speechless. Humbled. Proud. And stunned,” Swords said. “I had no idea I was even nominated or in the running.”

Sarah Gibson, who took six classes with Swords, said that he is “by far the most caring and thoughtful professor out there. He comes to class with the most positive attitude and will go to great lengths to make every student feel heard and appreciated.”

Swords received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in English from Clemson. 

 

Clemson University Tiger Band Association Goes to Normandy

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A first-time adventure for the Clemson University Tiger Band Association was a trip to Normandy, France, to honor American veterans who landed on Utah and Omaha Beaches on June 6, 1944, during World War II. This occasion marked the 78th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.

CUTBA was invited to serve as the lead band in the American Ambassadors Band sponsored by Historic Programs, a nonprofit group supported by many corporations and the U.S. Department of Defense.

In Normandy, CUTBA played in four concerts and marched in one parade, featuring patriotic tunes and, of course, “Tiger Rag.” After three days in Normandy, the group traveled to Paris for two days of tourism before returning home.

 

“It was humbling to travel to Normandy and see the places where many members of our military … landed on the beaches to help liberate the French people.”

 

“My husband, Lt. Col. D. Edward Jones, proudly serves on active duty with the U.S. Army as a physician at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, home to the 82nd Airborne,” says Martha Huffman Jones ’00. “It was humbling to travel to Normandy and see the places where many members of our military, including numerous paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne, landed on the beaches to help liberate the French people. It was an honor to meet several veterans who had served in the region and had, at their ages of almost 100, traveled back to the area.

“As an active-duty military family, we have a small idea of the sacrifices these brave souls put forth for the freedom of others.”

 
 

2022 Golden Tiger Reunion

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On June 9-10, more than 600 alumni gathered at the Clemson Madren Center to celebrate the Classes of 1970, 1971 and 1972, inducting them into the Golden Tiger Society. During the festivities, the Golden Tigers reunited with former classmates and enjoyed a welcome reception, Clemson Family Luncheon, campus tours and finally, a Class Party to cap off the event.

The Golden Tiger Reunion is an annual event for all alumni who have previously been inducted into the Golden Tiger Society and the newest 50th reunion class.

 
 

Alumni Story: Project Smoky

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Alumni are helping develop one of the nation’s largest recycling facilities

In 2020, Domtar Paper Company, one of North America’s largest copy paper manufacturers, announced one of its manufacturing operations in Kingsport, Tennessee, would be converted to produce more than 600,000 tons per year of 100 percent recycled cardboard products. This site will become the second-largest and most productive recycling paper machine in the U.S., and it is set to begin producing at the end of 2022.

Domtar has committed over $350 million and a team of more than 100 engineers to convert the facility — a project dubbed Project Smoky. Several Project Smoky leaders are Clemson alumni, and they got together for a picture with one of the site’s “headache balls,” which is attached to a large crane used to lift and position steel and equipment.

“Between [Domtar Paper Company, Yates Engineering and Isomer], there are over 30 Clemson grads who have contributed to Smoky,” said Charlie Floyd ’80*, Domtar’s vice president of packaging business capital. “I personally take great comfort in our project team skills and contribution because I know what it takes to be a Clemson engineer.

“I’ve never met a Clemson grad who wasn’t proud of that degree and the hard work required to earn it.”