Clemson University recently held a 2024 Investiture Ceremony to honor eight outstanding faculty members. Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Robert H. Jones officially announced their endowed titles before family, friends and colleagues during the event. Hosted jointly by the Clemson University Foundation and the Office of the Provost, the investiture ceremony underscored the transformative impact endowed chairs have on advancing the University’s faculty, research and academic environment while celebrating the philanthropic donors who made these positions possible.
An endowed chair is the highest academic award a faculty member can receive from a university. The endowments are supported in part by philanthropic donations and provide distinguished faculty with funds to advance their scholarly activities and support research.
The enduring legacy of an endowed chair lies in its power to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world applications while supporting our University’s land-grant mission of teaching, research and public service. Endowed chairs foster a culture of inquiry and intellectual curiosity and inspire the next generation of leaders and change-makers.”
Clemson University Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Robert H. Jones
The evening highlighted how endowed chairs empower Clemson’s faculty to drive innovation in the classroom and pursue cutting-edge research that brings distinction to the institution. Students, in turn, benefit from dynamic learning opportunities and the chance to engage deeply with their fields.
Cheryl Holland, HA ’10 and chair of the Clemson University Foundation Board, shared the profound influence endowed chairs have on a university setting. “The impact of these endowed chairs is multiplied by each student they encounter,” she said. “They offer ideas and solutions to solve grand challenges around the globe and foster new ways of thinking with a worldwide reach.”
List of investees honored:
College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
Raghupathy Karthikeyan
Charles Carter Newman Endowed Chair of Natural Resources Engineering
Raghupathy Karthikeyan addresses food insecurity affecting 47 million Americans. As a member of Clemson’s LEAD21’s 19th class, he collaborates on sustainable agricultural practices, focusing on climate-resilient crops that use less water, energy and land. His work aims to adapt farming methods for diverse settings, from urban areas to disaster zones. His leadership in agricultural sciences drives efforts to promote self-sufficiency and improve lives locally and globally.
College of Architecture, Art and Construction
Ehsan Mousavi
Dennis C. Bausman Endowed Chair in Construction Science and Management
Ehsan Mousavi works at the intersection of data analytics and building sciences, focusing on healthcare and transportation. He is developing a semi-automated decision-making framework for the South Carolina Department of Transportation, improving contract efficiency and saving time and money. As a Clemson School of Health Research faculty fellow, Mousavi advances public health while maximizing building efficiency. His efforts use data to enhance public safety, save tax dollars and improve infrastructure.
College of Behavorial, Social and Health Sciences
Lesley A. Ross
SmartState/SmartLife Endowed Chair in Aging and Cognition
Lesley Ross focuses on behavioral interventions to maintain brain health and everyday functioning, such as driving safety. Her work extends to engaging students, patients and care providers in programs that translate research into better care. Ross’ research aims to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, making a transformative impact on healthy aging. Her contributions to Clemson’s Institute for Engaged Aging are vital to advancing clinical standards of care.
College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
Brian C. Dean
C. Tycho Howle Director of the School of Computing and Endowed Chair
Brian Dean leverages algorithms, artificial intelligence (AI) and game theory to tackle neurological disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer’s. A passionate educator and award-winning teacher from MIT and Clemson, he leads the USA Computing Olympiad, training top U.S. high school computing students each summer. Dean’s contributions to computing research and education bolster Clemson’s reputation and strengthen the nation’s computing talent pipeline.
Rajendra K. Bordia
George J. Bishop III Chair in Ceramics and Materials Engineering
Rajendra Bordia leads ceramics research that impacts technologies, such as cell phones, electric vehicle batteries, clean energy and military defense. His work addresses critical energy, environmental, and biomedical challenges with the support of bright students and researchers. From everyday items to extreme environments, Bordia’s contributions enhance safety, sustainability and technological progress.
Kuang-Ching “KC” Wang
C. Tycho Howle Chair in Collaborative Computing Environments
KC Wang champions collaboration in research. He founded the Watt AI program, leads Clemson STRIDE to translate research into real-world impact and serves as principal investigator on FABRIC, the nation’s most advanced future internet testbed. Wang’s research spans diverse fields, from healthcare and military technology to education and community development, driving solutions for today and tomorrow.
Hai Xiao
Milton W. and Betty Holcombe Chair in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hai Xiao and his students and scholars leverage advanced technologies, including optics, lasers and sensors to build cutting-edge research infrastructure and strengthen Clemson’s global research connections. Xiao drives efforts in renewable energy, affordable healthcare, environmental sustainability and smart transportation. Clemson values the inclusive atmosphere he fosters and his ability to bridge academic research with practical applications, making the once-impossible achievable.
College of Science
Laura Finzi
Dr. Waenard L. Miller Jr. ‘69 & Sheila M. Miller Endowed Chair in Medical Biophysics
Laura Finzi conducts groundbreaking research in genome packaging and gene transcription to revolutionize targeted disease treatments. She thrives in Clemson’s collaborative environment, driving transformative biomedical innovations. Supported by her endowment, Finzi collaborates with top scientists worldwide and mentors emerging researchers on campus, advancing health outcomes in South Carolina and beyond.