Clemson University Emeritus College Book Named a Finalist in Independent Publishing Competition

By Susan Hilligoss and Victoria Musheff

The Sixties: The Long Decade 1954-1974, an anthology published by Clemson University Emeritus College Press in December 2025, has been named a finalist in the 20th annual competition by the National Indie Excellence Book Awards (NIEA), sponsored by Smarketing LLC.

The Sixties was one of four finalists in the highly competitive Anthology category. NIEA judges credited The Sixties as a book that “stood out and earned the admiration of our expert panel of jurors. This recognition is a testament to your passion, creativity, and the excellence this award was established to celebrate.”

Authored by various emerita faculty of the University, the group met monthly on Zoom over the past six years to share written stories ranging from their early childhood adventures and everyday life to their reactions to historic events.

In January 2025, the group recognized they had written enough to fill a book, so the idea for a collection centered on the Sixties was born. What followed were months of conceptual and editorial meetings by a team from the memoir group at the Emeritus College, fueled by “pizza and Coca-Cola,” as one editor phrased it. The final anthology includes chapters on topics ranging from the Kennedy years to the space race to civil rights and the war in Vietnam.

“This achievement is a great recognition for the emeritus members and the Emeritus College,” Debbie Jackson, director of the Emeritus College, said.

“The creativity and continued scholarship of our emeritus faculty are highlighted in this collection of stories.”

Contributors to the book come from across the University and include the following individuals (from left to right): 

The Sixties: The Long Decade 1954-1974 is available at Barnes & Noble and the Clemson University Bookstore. The book is also available for online purchase on the Emeritus College website.