CLEMSON LIFESTYLE

Barker announces retirement as Clemson president


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CLEMSON — After nearly 14 years serving as the 14th president of his alma mater, Clemson University President James F. Barker has announced plans to retire from that position and return to the classroom.

“Last week, I asked the board of trustees to begin a search for the 15th president of Clemson University. I have pledged to remain until the new president is on board. I will then begin preparing myself for my next career as a faculty member in the School of Architecture,” he said.

“There is never a perfect time for a transition in leadership, but certainly a very good time is when a university is in high demand, able to attract outstanding faculty, staff and students, enjoys strong support from alumni and friends, is financially healthy, and has a strategic plan that is firmly supported by its governing board. That is exactly where Clemson finds itself today,” Barker said.

A 1970 Clemson graduate, Barker was named president in 1999 with a mandate to lead Clemson into the top ranks of American universities. At his inaugural address in April 2000, he said: “I am convinced that there is no university in America stronger than Clemson when we are ‘One Clemson.’ A united Clemson is unstoppable.”

For his leadership, Barker has received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, and has been awarded honorary doctorates from the Medical University of South Carolina, South Carolina State University, and Mars Hill College.

Board Chairman David Wilkins said, “It is difficult to find words to express how much Jim Barker has meant to Clemson University. Clemson is a far better institution today because of his leadership, vision and dedicated service. We know that there is no replacing Jim Barker, only succeeding him.”

A native of Kingsport, Tenn., Barker received his bachelor of arts degree from Clemson in 1970 and his master of architecture and urban design degree in 1973 from Washington University in St. Louis, which also recognized him with its Distinguished Alumnus Award. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and the Institute for Urban Design.

Clemson now ranks among the nation’s top 25 public universities in the US News guide to “America’s Best Colleges” and has been recognized for value, affordability and return on investment by Kiplinger’s, Smart Money and Bloomberg Businessweek magazines.

During Barker’s presidency, Clemson has added more than 48,000 alumni, set records for student SAT scores, retention and graduation rates, launched the Academic Success Center and raised more than $1 billion in private funding since 1999. Research expenditures surpassed the $100 million a year mark, and more than 1,400,000 square feet of space has been constructed or renovated, including projects on and off campus.

Clemson also launched major economic development initiatives, including the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research in Greenville, the Clemson University Restoration Institute in North Charleston and the Advanced Materials Center in Anderson County.

Barker also led Clemson through a period of deep state funding cuts, reducing administrative and staff positions by nearly 12 percent without layoffs. According to metrics established by Bain & Co. Financial Services, Clemson is financially healthier today than before the recession.

“It has been a privilege and an honor to serve my alma mater as president for nearly 14 years. I look forward to becoming one of Clemson’s most loyal and active volunteers,” Barker said.

Furman at Clemson (Second Half) Photos - 2012, Football, Furman, Jim Barker

FULL TEXT OF ANNOUNCEMENT:

Dear Clemson,

Last week, I asked the Board of Trustees to begin a search for the 15th president of Clemson University. I have pledged to remain in the president’s office until the new president is found and begins work. I will then begin preparing myself for the next phase of career at Clemson, which will be as a faculty member in the School of Architecture.

I see this, really, as a change of major for me from being president to being a professor.

I am in good health and have a high level of energy. I used the time that I had during my medical leave to think carefully about what such a transition would mean, how it should happen and at what time it should happen. I’ve concluded that now is the right time to do that, even though it means I must stop doing what I consider to be the best job in the world.

There is never a perfect time for this transition, but this a good time for it to take place because the university is in such good shape. We have a high demand for everything about Clemson. We’re attracting great students, faculty and staff. We are blessed with alumni support and a capital campaign that has been very, very successful. We are financially healthy; in fact, we are in better shape financially than we were before the Great Recession. And we have a plan that has broad support by our alumni and, most importantly perhaps, by our Board of Trustees.

Clemson is on an upward path. We need to continue this positive momentum and I pledge to do that throughout this period of time as the search is being conducted. Momentum is very important — it’s a precious commodity, and it’s something we want to make sure we keep it continuing.

It has been the honor and privilege of my life to serve as your 14th president and I will always be grateful to Clemson students, faculty, staff and alumni for giving me a chance to serve my alma mater in this special way.

Thank you very much. Go, Tigers!

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Subject (Replies: 30) Author
spacer General Update: Barker to address Clemson
TigerNet News®
spacer Barker to step down....
Anonymous08®
spacer Re: Barker to step down....
dmtiger25
spacer Re:Re: Barker to step down....
TigerGreenWave
spacer FAN.. not an Alum^^^^^^^
ChinkSNU
spacer JOKE of a post
Tigers2388
spacer good luck with all that - there are very few major university
OldSchool Tiger
spacer Re: Barker to step down....
Bigboosh3712
spacer I hope the next President brings back the Swim Team and
OhWiseOne®
spacer Re: I hope the next President brings back the Swim Team and
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Danny Ford for President!***
Tropical
spacer Ford was President back in the 70s. You know
josephg®
spacer Sad day. Best president since RC Edwards
cu1981fans
spacer Wow. Well that's clear out of the blue
grover173
spacer He just had bypass surgery, so I'm guessing it's due to his
cutigerbob®
spacer Sad news... Great President
uproar84
spacer Ditto
cu1981fans
spacer Re: Sad news... Great President
PenthouseTiger
spacer There's plenty most people don't know about.***
TigerGrad11
spacer That's what I'm thinking too
grover173
spacer Whoah... knew he had health problems, but unexpected***
camcgee®
spacer 15 years is an exceptionally long tenure ...
apextiger
spacer Barker and TDP both gone, its a miracle!!!***
PioneerG
spacer Barker and Phillips were both HUGE upgrades over their
OldSchool Tiger
spacer Re: Barker and Phillips were both HUGE upgrades over their
PenthouseTiger
spacer His wife once told me something very flattering
TigersRoar04®
spacer Vote for ClemsonTiger06 for your 15th President...
ClemsonTiger06
spacer I'm with you on the WooHoo, but your platform piece to ban..
BudMan
spacer You forgot
flyslyw
spacer Oh, and also...
ClemsonTiger06
spacer I guess he finally rebuilt his retirement fund...******
mattcah®