Challenge honors legendary Clemson economists, unlocks future potential
Mark Mitchell M ’83, Ph.D. ’87 and Janet Mitchell established the Power of One challenge in 2023 to recognize the power of Clemson University’s faculty — how the influence of an endowed chair or endowed professor can shape the lives of Clemson students. The challenge recently met its $5 million goal to support two chairs and two distinguished professorships in the John E. Walker Department of Economics. Notable donors who helped the Mitchells reach their goal include David Dukes ’81 and Karen Dukes ’82, David Sprouse ’61 and Sandra Spouse, Jeffery “JB” Brown ’95 and Sara Brown ’98, and Mark Wasserman ’82, M ’83 and Rebekah Wasserman ’85.
Initiatives like the Power of One challenge are advancing Clemson’s research agenda that reinforces its distinction as a Carnegie R1 university. Prestigious named positions are crucial to that designation and support Clemson’s commitment to doubling research expenditures by 2035.
The Power of One proudly honors the legacy of Clemson scholar-leaders Robert Tollison, Bobby McCormick ’72, M ’74, Michael Maloney and Bruce Yandle.
The Tollison Chair
Tollison played a key role in the development of emerging fields of public choice, the economics of sports and the economics of religion. He was a leading contributor to the study of organization of industry. In addition to his academic achievements, Tollison was active in public policy, working for the Council of Economic Advisors and the Federal Trade Commission.
The McCormick Chair
McCormick was a beloved fixture on the Clemson campus. He served as a faculty member from 1982–2007 and became dean of the College of Business in 2014. He received many teaching awards and, in 2022, was awarded the Clemson Medallion, the University’s highest honor.
The Maloney Distinguished Professorship
Maloney taught economics at Clemson for 45 years, beginning in 1974, and was instrumental in starting the economics Ph.D. program. As department chair, he recruited the first cohort of Ph.D. students, helping build the department’s reputation.
The Yandle Distinguished Professorship
Yandle was a popular Clemson professor who taught regulation and the political economy of the environment. He served as dean of the College of Business from 2004–2007. Nationally, he was appointed executive director of the Federal Trade Commission and senior economist on the President’s Council on Wage and Price Stability.
