Dhaval R. Gajjar from the Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development and Weichiang Pang from the Glenn Department of Civil Engineering have been appointed to distinguished professorships named for Wilbur O. “Billy” and Ann W. Powers.
In 2020, Billy and Ann Powers made the largest academic gift in Clemson University’s history with a transformational gift of $60 million, shaping the future of the institution. Their support for the institution has expanded across the entire University. Billy and Ann Powers have always believed in the power of faculty and education. These two distinguished professorships are designed to attract and retain top faculty talent.
Distinguished professorships are among the highest honors a university can award a faculty member. They provide stable, long-term funding that supports research, teaching and outreach, while helping raise the University’s profile and drive innovation that benefits students, industry and communities.
The professorships now held by Gajjar and Pang also promote collaboration between the two departments.
Dhaval R. Gajjar
Gajjar will serve as the Wilbur O. “Billy” Powers HD ’04 and Ann W. Powers HA ’25 Distinguished Professor in Construction Science and Management. He directs the Center for Roofing Innovation and Leadership, and his research focuses on construction workforce development, sustainability and industry innovation. Gajjar has secured significant external research funding, authored multiple journal articles and delivered numerous invited presentations.
“This distinguished professorship provides the support and visibility needed to deepen our partnerships with industry and academia,” Gajjar said. “It allows us to pursue innovative research, share knowledge through conferences and collaborations and work across disciplines to address critical challenges in construction. By connecting education, research and industry, we can honor the Powers family’s vision by preparing the next generation of construction leaders to build a more sustainable and resilient future.”
Weichiang Pang
Pang will serve as the Wilbur O. “Billy” Powers HD ’04 and Ann W. Powers HA ’25 Distinguished Professor in Civil Engineering.
Pang is a nationally recognized expert in structural reliability and performance-based engineering. His research focuses on renewable energy and utilizing sustainable materials, such as mass timber, in the construction of buildings designed to safely withstand earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural hazards. He has advanced knowledge through work on wood structures, displacement-based design and nonlinear modeling.
“The Powers Family’s support will help us strengthen the collaboration between civil engineering and construction science and management as we work together to tackle the grand challenges of our time—from affordable housing and climate resilience to workforce innovation in the construction industry,” Pang said. “Through this partnership, we aim to advance modular and prefabricated construction technologies that deliver high quality, reduce waste, and create buildings that are both sustainable and disaster-resilient for the next generation.”
Leadership Reflections on Impact
Among those congratulating Gajjar and Pang was Ece Erdogmus, founding dean of the College of Architecture, Art and Construction.
“The Powers family’s generosity is helping us build a foundation for long-term excellence by investing in our outstanding faculty and their work. Billy and Ann Powers’ vision—to strengthen collaboration between civil engineering and construction—aligns deeply with the mission of our new College of Architecture, Art, and Construction to integrate art, architecture, engineering, and construction in shaping a more innovative and resilient built environment.”
Anand Gramopadhye, dean of the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, added his congratulations and said that distinguished professorships play a key role in retaining and attracting top talent.
“We are profoundly grateful to Billy and Ann Powers for their visionary generosity,” he said. “Their enduring support empowers us to recruit and sustain exceptional faculty whose teaching and discovery strengthen Clemson, drive innovation, and create lasting impact for South Carolina and beyond.”
