Electrician Contractor in Clemson, SC

Oct 16, 2023

PREVIEW

Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney will attempt to pass College Football Hall of Famer Frank Howard for sole possession of Clemson’s all-time head coaching wins record on Saturday, Oct. 21, when his Tigers face the Miami Hurricanes in prime time. Kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

Prior to Clemson’s open date last week, Swinney tied Howard atop Clemson’s all-time leaderboard with a 17-12 win against Wake Forest on Oct. 7. Both the opponent and the opponent’s point total drew historical parallels. Wake Forest last defeated Clemson in 2008, a loss that led to Swinney’s ascension to head coach the following week. Wake Forest also scored 12 points in that contest, though in 2008 those 12 points resulted in a 12-7 Wake Forest win rather than the 17-12 defeat Wake Forest suffered this season that evened Swinney with Howard in the wins column.

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Clemson (4-2, 2-2) vs. Miami (4-2, 0-2)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK

– Head Coach Dabo Swinney attempting to earn his 166th career win to pass College Football Hall of Famer Frank Howard (165 from 1940-69) for sole possession of the Clemson record for career head coaching wins.

– Swinney attempting to match the career win total of College Football Hall of Famer Red Blaik, who won 166 games at Dartmouth and Army from 1934-58. Swinney’s .801 win percentage is already ahead of Blaik’s .759. – Clemson and Miami (Fla.), which met in a 40-10 Tiger win last November, meeting in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2004-05.

– Clemson, which took the all-time series lead against Miami for the first time last year, attempting to move its series record against the Hurricanes to 8-6.

– Clemson attempting to win a fifth straight game against Miami for the first time in school history. Clemson’s four straight wins in the series include two wins in Clemson in 2020 and 2022, a win in the 2017 ACC Championship Game in Charlotte, and a 58-0 win in the Tigers’ most recent road game at Miami in 2015.

– Clemson attempting to improve to 44-20 in games following regular season open dates in the ACC era (since 1953). Clemson has won 14 of its last 16 regular season games following open weeks.

– Clemson attempting to improve to 21-11 in games at NFL stadiums under Dabo Swinney. A win would improve Clemson to 18-7 at NFL stadiums since 2015.

– Clemson attempting to add to its 35 road wins since 2015, the most road wins by any program in the nation in that span.

Steven L. Marks, BVSc, MS, MRCVS, DACVIM

A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Dr. Steven Marks came to Clemson in 2023 after positions at the North Carolina State University (2005-2023), University of Illinois (2001-2005), Louisiana State University (1996-2001), Colorado State University (1995-1996), Cardio Pet, Inc. (1994-1995), and Washington State University (1990-1994). He also served as president of the Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialty in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine from 2009 to 2012.

Dr. Marks’ research interests involve emergency and critical care, general internal medicine, cardiopulmonary medicine, and pain management. As a teacher, Dr. Marks is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Norden Distinguished Teacher Award at Louisiana State University (1999), the Pfizer Distinguished Teacher Award at NC State (2009), the Zoetis Distinguished Teacher Award at NC State (2013) and most recently, the 2014 NC State Outstanding Teacher Award.

Dr. Marks received his BVSc degree from the University of Liverpool Faculty of Veterinary Science in 1989. He had a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. He completed his residency in small animal internal medicine at Washington State University, where he also earned a master’s degree in veterinary medicine.

Dianne Dunning, DVM, DrPH, DACVS, CFRE

Associate Vice President of Marketing and Community Relations

Dr. Dianne Dunning is currently the Associate Vice President of Marketing and Community Relations at Clemson University. She is responsible for fundraising and Strategic Planning and Projects related to the new College of Veterinary Medicine. Previously she was the Associate Dean for Advancement, with an accomplished programmatic leader for eighteen years at NC State's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Dunning received her DVM degree from Washington State University (DVM 1993), an MS from Colorado State University, and completed a Doctoral Program in Health Leadership at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health. She is also a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive and teaches fundraising fundamentals on a state and national level.

Dunning was previously a faculty member at Louisiana State University and the University of Illinois before joining the College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005, where she was a clinical professor with responsibilities for strategic, programmatic and facilities planning. As Associate Dean for Advancement, she was responsible for all development, communications and marketing, continuing education, outreach and events, and alumni affairs. With her talented Advancement team, she was currently leading one of the most successful development eras in the CVM’s history.

Darbi L. Roberts, Ed.D.

Director of Operations

As director of operations for the College of Veterinary Medicine at Clemson University, Roberts oversees the development and implementation of strategic planning and initiatives for the college and the dean, including academic programs, curriculum design, faculty and staff recruitment, student recruitment and retention and student outcomes.

Roberts has more than 15 years of experience in student affairs, academic administration and international education at various institutions, including Carnegie Mellon University and Columbia University. With master’s and doctoral degrees from Teachers College—Columbia University in Comparative and International Education, her expertise is in navigating the impact of policy, practice and programs on institutions and students and bridging the intersection of academic and student affairs.

Susan McCall

Executive Assistant to the Dean

Susan serves as the executive assistant to the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, providing organizational support while coordinating schedules, facilitating communication between senior leadership and various stakeholders and coordinating special events.

She has provided senior-level administrative assistance in various roles over the past 17 years and has been employed with Clemson University since 2014.

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When Martin Hamilton first laid eyes upon the South Carolina Botanical Garden (SCBG), he was impressed by the diverse plant collection spread across nearly 300 acres throughout its mix of formal and natural areas.

But what really blew Hamilton away wasn’t what he saw; it was what he heard.

“I’ve been amazed at how many people, stakeholders and longtime supporters, are so passionate about the place,” Hamilton said. “My wife and I spent quite a bit of time in the Garden on our first visit prior to my interview. We would stop and speak to people we met walking. I was very impressed with the people that I met while I was here — incognito — many of them were very knowledgeable and had been visiting the Garden multiple times a week for many years. They really cherish the place.”

No longer incognito, Hamilton began work on Aug. 1 as the new executive director of the SCBG at Clemson University, bringing a wealth of work and study experience at institutions in the United States and abroad, including Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest in Kentucky, the Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG), Kew, in England and Oak Spring Garden Foundation in Virginia.

“The SCBG has so much going for it — its large size, mix of formal and natural areas, very diverse range of species due to the geographic location and climatic conditions, dedicated staff, and very supportive stakeholders,” Hamilton said. “Above all else, I believe this is the job that I’ve been preparing for my entire career and I’m very excited to bring my decades of experience in public garden horticulture and conservation to the SCBG.”

What began in 1958 as a camellia preserve on a small parcel of land adjacent to John C. Calhoun’s 19^th-century Fort Hill estate has since grown to 295 acres of cultivated landscapes and natural woodlands. Designated as the State of South Carolina’s botanical garden in 1992, the Garden is at the intersection of Highway 76 and Perimeter Road at Clemson University.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome someone with Dr. Hamilton’s background and who is so well-respected in the horticulture industry to Clemson University,” Clemson Cooperative Extension Director Tom Dobbins said. “The SCBG is committed to providing world-class educational outreach and opportunities through public classes, engagement with Clemson University classes, exhibits and special events, and we strongly believe that Martin is a leader who not only understands the Garden’s special place in the community and state, but also has the expertise to help it reach even greater heights.”

Hamilton is an Honorary Research Associate at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and a Fellow of The Linnean Society of London. He is particularly interested in the conservation and management of threatened species, habitat restoration and the development and management of plant collections and is actively involved in international projects researching the conservation and management of threatened plants.

The Garden’s mission is to serve as a holistically managed landscape fostering a healthy ecosystem and experience for the public, while serving as an interdisciplinary resource focusing on teaching, research and outreach that advances awareness and understanding of our plants, animals and culture.

Hamilton said he feels his background has provided him with the experience to successfully lead SCBG with a perspective to “act locally and think globally.”

“My vision for the garden is rooted in horticultural excellence, plant conservation, sustainability, resilience and community,” he said. “We must focus resources on our plant collections and horticultural practices, native species conservation, invasive species control and stakeholder engagement. I feel that we must foster interdisciplinary approaches if we are to address the major challenges of the day so we will develop programs that increase our impact and engage new audiences through intertwining art, history, botany and horticulture.”

A native Kentuckian, Hamilton spent most of his early years on the family farm in rural Christian County surrounded by miles of farmland and forests. These years provided many opportunities to explore the natural world and helped him develop a love for nature, plants in particular.

Hamilton earned a bachelor’s degree in 2000 from Western Kentucky University before going to work at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest where he had previously undertaken a summer internship.

In 2001, his application was successful for a place on course 39 of the Kew Diploma in Horticulture, a three-year work and study programme at RBG Kew. After finishing the Kew diploma in 2004, he began working in the Kew Herbarium and then secured the new post of UK Overseas Territories Programme Coordinator from 2006 until 2014.

Hamilton then became the Research Leader for the UK Overseas Territories team, undertaking field-based research projects mainly in the Caribbean. In 2016, Hamilton completed his PhD in Biology from Birkbeck, University of London based on his Kew-based research projects. After leaving Kew in May 2021 and before accepting the Executive Director position at SCBG, he served as the Head of Plant, Garden and Landscape Programs for the Oak Spring Garden Foundation in Virginia where he led the three teams responsible for the formal gardens, biodiversity conservation and landscape maintenance across the 700-acre campus, started a new arboretum and wildlife garden and delivered public programs.

Throughout his career, Hamilton says he has worked to empower underrepresented voices through training and knowledge sharing and encourage young leaders through internships and opportunities to attend courses, workshops and conferences. He plans to bring this same approach to the SCBG and work to ensure the importance of the living collections is understood and appreciated.

“I want to help people reconnect with nature and build sustainability into their lives,” he said. “I feel plants, gardens, landscapes and the arts that link to these themes are a great way to end plant blindness. I am dedicated to providing access for all and feel we need to do more to encourage nature experiences. I look forward to working closely with the garden’s myriad stakeholders to help realize the SCBG’s full potential.”

Hamilton takes the lead role at SCBG from Shannon Barrett, who served as interim director and will now move into the position of assistant director of strategic operations. In this role, Barrett supports the executive director and leads planning and design, education and visitor’s services for the Garden. She is also an instructor in horticulture at Clemson University.

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Clemson, South Carolina — The Extension Emerging Leadership Initiative (EELI) was created to develop leaders who exemplify professionalism and integrity and inspire others, and as it prepares for its fourth cohort, the proof of its success is in the proverbial pudding.

Clemson Extension Assistant Director Deon Legette said one only needs to look at the strides made by EELI graduates and current cohort participants over the past few years for evidence.

“Many of them have obtained advanced leadership roles, mentor others and serve in various capacities that create impact. All of this contributes to the program’s success,” she said. “I look forward to developing more leaders as we prepare for the fourth cohort.”

After participating in the President’s Leadership Institute, Legette was inspired to develop the EELI in 2018 for Extension professionals interested in developing their leadership knowledge and skills.

While the program successfully launched and graduated its first cohort, Legette knew it could be even better. So, three faculty and staff from Clemson’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS) were added to the second cohort for both groups to learn more about each other and strengthen connections between the college’s education and outreach missions.

But it was not just about strengthening relationships in the college — Extension work involves the entire state — so three participants from South Carolina State University’s 1890 Research Extension and Extension were also added for the second cohort.

All told, the program now has 42 graduates from Clemson Cooperative Extension Service, CAFLS and S.C. State University 1890 Research and Extension.

Shawn Smith, a family nutrition and health Extension agent in the Pee Dee region from South Carolina State, admitted she had some initial reservations about participating in EELI.

“I now know that being part of this cohort was one of the best decisions I ever made,” she said. “It has allowed me to take a deeper look at myself and see my potential that was hidden for so long. It has inspired me to become a leader that is intentional about serving and empowering.”

Smith said while the ostensible focus of EELI was for Extension professionals to foster change within themselves that will inspire and empower others to be more committed to their work and values, the people of the state of South Carolina were also beneficiaries.

“Leadership is not about one individual; it is about everyone that has a common goal for a common good,” Smith said. “EELI can help people learn that effective leadership can create an atmosphere that will enable others to strive for greatness. It can produce leaders that will motivate and inspire others to reach beyond their norm of performances and help them realize how important their roles are in an organization and that their contributions are valuable.”

Agriculture Extension Agent Mark Nettles, also from S.C. State and part of the third cohort, said EELI allowed him to learn new leadership skills and develop his “why” — his motivation for doing the job — and those things have helped him better withstand adversity, especially coming out of COVID-19.

“I feel it has increased the value of knowing people on a personal, as well as professional, scale,” Nettles said, pointing to a particular opportunity he got to shadow a younger Clemson Extension agent. “This experience has increased both of our awareness of each other’s extension activities. The fact that I now have someone to bounce ideas off that comes from another perspective is very valuable.”

The first three cohorts came together on Clemson’s campus this summer for a reunion of sorts, and perhaps no one exemplified the program’s benefits more than Alana West, a 4-H agent in Newberry County who received the inaugural Dr. Marlyne Walker Memorial Leadership Award at the event.

Walker passed away in 2022 after 21 years of service as a positive, enthusiastic and dedicated leader in Clemson Extension and ELLI. With the award, her legacy will continue and encourage aspiring leaders to lead, mentor and serve.

Food Systems and Safety Agent Faith Isreal nominated West, citing her commitment to service, having volunteered her time and expertise in various capacities outside of her assigned duties and made a significant impact for South Carolina 4-H.

“During the time when COVID-19 limited children’s and youth’s extracurricular activities, Alana was a driving force behind the development of The SC 4-H@Home program to continue 4-H programming during quarantine,” Isreal said. “She and her team curated interactive daily lessons that met SC school curriculum standards, which were delivered via email for 4-Her’s to perform at home with simple household items.”

West and her teammates created over 50 lessons across five 4-H themes, targeting the advancement of life skills for the participants. This creative initiative provided greater access to educational resources and helped young people advance their education throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

“Alana has consistently demonstrated a passion for community outreach and has gone above and beyond her job responsibilities to make a positive impact on those around her,” Isreal said. “She has a natural ability to connect with others and provide insightful and practical guidance.”

West said she participated in EELI after receiving recommendations from colleagues who had completed the program.

“It was a great way to get to know colleagues from around the state working in program areas other than 4-H Youth Development,” she said. “Extension has grown a lot in recent years, and this was the opportunity I needed to network with new and old colleagues alike.”

West said simply being nominated for the award by a colleague meant a great deal to her.

“It’s certainly not the physical award itself I will cherish, but the words written and read by my colleagues at the ceremony that stick with me,” she said. “I take great pride in having the ability and knowledge to help my colleagues in any situation I can, and I am glad not that I received an award for it, but that they recognize and appreciate the help. I hope my service makes Dr. Walker’s family proud.”

Senior Agribusiness Extension Agent Ben Boyles, a graduate of the second cohort, said EELI is an excellent venue to learn more about oneself and the inner workings of the state’s land-grant extension systems.

“In addition to having the potential to catalyze collaborations that will increase programmatic impact, the program equips participants with the skills needed should they choose to pursue leadership roles within their respective organizations,” Boyles said. “EELI has helped to strengthen the connections between South Carolina’s two land-grant universities that will support future collaborative efforts to improve the quality of life in our state. These new programmatic partnerships will leverage each system’s strength to increase reach and magnify impact.”

Georgetown County Senior 4-H Youth Development Agent Sherry Davis-Livingston, also from the second cohort, said the friendships, activities and experience would stay with her throughout her career and life’s journey.

“The connections made throughout Extension from the program have been very useful,” Davis-Livingston said. “I have connected with resources that I have not had before and strengthened relationships from established resources and newly established partnerships on programming to include both Clemson University and South Carolina State University. As a result of participating in this program, I now sit on the SCSU Coastal Region Advisory Committee.”

Jaime Pohlman, a 4-H youth development and natural resources agent and graduate of the inaugural cohort, said she would highly recommend the EELI program to any Extension colleague seeking professional development.

“EELI has been a great way to enhance my leadership skills and provided a networking opportunity for me to get to better know my colleagues throughout the state,” Pohlman said. “Having Clemson Extension, S.C. State Extension and CAFLS staff participate in EELI benefits all of South Carolina because through this program we develop the skills needed to become better leaders within our communities.”

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Following a historic approval by its Board of Trustees, Clemson University is preparing to launch the first College of Veterinary Medicine in the State of South Carolina. The approval follows the completion of the FY24 state budget, which includes significant support for the new college from Governor Henry McMaster and the South Carolina General Assembly.

The University’s first professional school, the Clemson University College of Veterinary Medicine plans to enroll the first students in Fall 2026 with the first class of veterinarians graduating in 2030, and the college will leverage the University’s existing animal health programs and infrastructure to create a veterinary medicine workforce to fill a statewide shortage of veterinarians.

“Today is a historic day. We are thrilled that Clemson University has received landmark funding to establish the state of South Carolina’s first college of veterinary medicine,” said Clemson University President Jim Clements. “Clemson University is continuing its mission of positively impacting the lives of our students and the citizens of South Carolina. The new college will continue to elevate the state of South Carolina by meeting the needs of our communities, retaining top talent, supporting the state’s economy and protecting animal and human health.”

“Veterinarians today play an increasingly important role, in addition to caring for both companion and farm animals, protecting public health, playing an essential role in food safety as well as in detection and control of zoonotic diseases,” said Boyd Parr, co-chair of the Clemson College of Veterinary Medicine steering committee and retired South Carolina State Veterinarian. “This new veterinary college can produce the veterinarians and research that will contribute to a better future for our citizens and our animals.”

The new college will use a distributed model of clinical teaching, where students learn their basic sciences, anatomy, pre-clinical skills and communication skills during their first three years on campus, after which students conduct clinical learning in distributed learning sites throughout the state.

The approval of the new college follows the creation of a steering committee comprised of experts in veterinary and human health and an independent feasibility study conducted over the past 18 months.

The feasibility study found:

The feasibility study also found Clemson University to have the academic and regulatory programs, land, and on-campus animal science farms and infrastructure to position it ideally to support and contain a veterinary college.

Some diseases, called zoonotic diseases, can be spread between animals and people. More than half of all infections people can get can be spread by animals, including rabies, salmonella and West Nile virus.

Currently, the state provides tuition coverage for 46 students to pursue veterinary education at Tuskegee University (seven), Mississippi State University (10) and University of Georgia (29) at a cost of over $6 million per year.