Seven Clemson University faculty were honored at a Faculty Excellence Celebration Dinner on Thursday, February 27, at the Clyde V. Madren Center. Hosted jointly by the Clemson University Foundation and the Office of the Provost, the celebration underscored the transformative impact that endowed chairs and awarded faculty have on advancing the University’s research and academic impact.
“Clemson University started with a gift from Thomas and Anna Clemson, and we have top faculty today because gifts to Clemson have allowed us to attract and support scholars known worldwide in their field,” said J. Cole Smith, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. “The scholars we honor are impressive teachers and researchers who have set themselves apart as remarkable leaders in their respective disciplines, and tonight we reaffirm our commitment to supporting academic excellence and enriching the student experience for future generations.”
Two faculty were honored for receiving endowments, with Provost Smith officially announcing their endowed titles on Thursday. An endowed chair is the highest academic award a faculty member can receive from a university. Endowments are supported in part by philanthropic donations and provide distinguished faculty with funds to advance their scholarly activities and support research. The dinner recognized the newest endowed chairs and celebrated the philanthropic donors who made these positions possible.
Five faculty were honored for earning prestigious awards from industry, academia and research organizations. These recognitions included outstanding achievements in the fields of evolutionary science, the humanities, engineering and global conservation, and they represented four different colleges from across the University.
“Our endowed chairs and the recipients of these distinguished awards reflect Clemson’s ongoing investment in the bold ideas and innovations that ensure a better, brighter shared future for us all,” said Senior Vice President for Advancement Brian O’Rourke.
List of honorees:
Exxon Mobil Employees Chair in Engineering
Ramy Harik, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
Just as composite materials are key to constructing strong, sustainable structures, Ramy Harik is the key to success at Clemson’s Composite Center. Harik works to make the manufacturing of state-of-the-art aircraft more intelligent — to rethink the manufacturing equipment itself and how it should be used and enhanced. By driving manufacturing initiatives and establishing South Carolina as a leader in innovation, he seeks to create meaningful impact statewide, reaching every community and propelling our state forward.
BMW SmartState Endowed Chair in Systems Integration
Michael Kokkolaras, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
As part of the Automotive Engineering department, Michael Kokkolaras strives to ensure that engineers use tools effectively to make well-informed, safe and successful decisions. Kokkolaras’s research seeks to advance long-term innovation in critical fields such as transportation, energy and health care, with graduate student success at the heart of his work. Kokkolaras builds virtual models of real systems, using advanced computing methods to identify optimal solutions while ensuring AI and machine-learning tools are reliable, trustworthy and ready for real-world implementation. Supported with funding from BMW, Kokkolaras is creating long-term innovations while empowering the next generation of engineers.
Beckman Young Investigators Award from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
Thao Tran Dominy, College of Science
Advancements in information and energy technology rely on manipulating the chemistry of quantum materials, such as the superconductors used in MRI machines. As a Beckman Young Investigators Award recipient, Thao Tran Dominy works to fine tune the chemical bonding, electronic structure and behavior of new quantum materials to create innovative solutions for an ever-changing world. Dominy’s work in the Chemistry Department isn’t limited to groundbreaking research. Helping her students develop skills that prepare them for a wide range of professional paths is both energizing and deeply meaningful for her. Dominy’s mentees have gone on to careers at the American Chemical Society, national laboratories and to advanced degree programs in medicine, broadening the reach of Clemson’s educational and research efforts.
National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship
Maziyar Faridi, College of Arts and Humanities
In a fast-moving digital age, Maziyar Faridi encourages his students to combine rigorous language training with interdisciplinary skills of close reading and research across media. Inside the College of Arts and Humanities, Faridi works across different historical and cultural settings, philosophical traditions and languages. He is passionate about helping Clemson students become global citizens through the power of art, literature and philosophy. A highly competitive fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities provided him with the time and resources to complete a book on modernism and political philosophy. Through his research and teaching, he strengthens the College’s position and expands cross-border collaborations that enhance Clemson’s international reputation.
MacArthur Foundation – MacArthur Fellow
Joseph (Drew) Lanham, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
Drew Lanham, an Alumni Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology, leads from the heart. Lanham believes that the combination of scientific facts and emotional connections to nature can encourage action. A recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant, Lanham integrates his work as an ornithologist, writer and poet with conservation science and cultural storytelling about nature. His work centers how forest management impacts birds and wildlife, educating through teaching, outreach and research. He seeks to create space for people to understand and connect with nature in their own ways, with a mission to broaden and enrich the conversation about conservation.
Linnean Society Darwin-Wallace Medal
Trudy Mackay, College of Science
As one of the world’s leading quantitative geneticists, Trudy Mackay elevates Clemson University through her role as Self Family Endowed Chair of Human Genetics and director of the Clemson University Institute for Human Genetics. Mackay uses fruit flies to model rare human diseases and determine the effects of naturally occurring genetic variants on lifespan and biological aging differences among individuals. Her research also investigates the genetic underpinnings of sensitivity and resistance to abused substances and environmental toxins. In 2025, her work was recognized with the prestigious Darwin-Wallace Medal from the Linnean Society. Alongside her research, her greatest joy is in educating the next generation of scientists — who, like her, aim to use their research to improve human lifespan and healthspan.
National Academy of Engineering Membership
Kevin Tomsovic, College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
As the Duke Energy Endowed Chair in Smart Grid Technology, Kevin Tomsovic’s electrical power studies have real-world implications on the critical public service of power utilities. As a newly inducted member of the National Academy of Engineering, Tomsovic is nationally recognized for his work in the Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, looking for ways to achieve low-cost, resilient, reliable and safe delivery of electric power. What excites him most is helping students gain a deeper understanding of how to optimize a complex, massive system like the power grid. Through his role as the Executive Director of the Clemson University Restoration Institute, Tomsovic is powering Clemson Fiercely Forward.
