New Emeritus Faculty Members Recognition
On Wednesday, April 29, the Emeritus College celebrated its 23rd Emeritus Day with a special ceremony and reception. Interim President Robert Jones and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Cole Smith welcomed 32 new emeritus faculty members to the college (one posthumously) and seven Affiliate Members to the college.
Keynote Speakers
Kathy Headley, Professor Emerita of Literacy and Chair of the Emeritus College Advisory Board, and Chip Egan, Professor Emeritus of Performing Arts and Chair-Elect of the Advisory Board, served as the keynote speakers this year. Robert Hogan, Professor Emeritus of Architecture, who served as Associate Chair of the School of Architecture and Chair of the Emeritus College’s Award Committee, announced the annual award recipients.
Kenelly-Voss Distinguished Emeritus Award
The 2026 Kenelly-Voss Distinguished Emeritus Award was presented to Dr. Joel Greenstein for his outstanding contributions to the College. The award was established by the late John Kenelly to recognize emeritus faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to the Emeritus College, Clemson University, the community and society. The award provides $500 toward a donation to a University program of interest to the awardee in the recipient’s name.
As Board Chair, Greenstein encouraged gifts to the Kenelly-Voss Endowment, ensuring it was fully funded. He is currently the college’s liaison to the Association of Retired Organizations in Higher Education. Greenstein continues to serve on key committees and is a member of the Emeritus Coffee House musicians, who meet monthly to provide music for all emeritus faculty to enjoy.
Pictured left to right: Kathy Headley, Joel Greenstein and Debbie Jackson
The I.D.E. Emeritus College Fellows designation was created to honor emeritus faculty members each year who steadily render valuable service to the Emeritus College and to Clemson University without compensation. It is named in honor of I. Dwaine Eubanks, a former Executive Director of the Emeritus College. The 2026 Class of IDE Fellows is recognized below:
Karen Kemper, Associate Professor Emerita in the Department of Public Health Sciences
Kemper has served as the Emeritus College representative to the University Faculty Senate and been an active member of the Well-Being Committee, giving multiple presentations for the Emeritus College on fitness and balance. Kemper is actively engaged in a grant-funded program to assess and improve balance. She is mentoring two junior faculty members while working with them on a Balance Camp course for seniors, including members of the Emeritus College.
Donna Reiss, Associate Professor Emerita of English
In service to the Emeritus College, Reiss has been an integral part of the Creative Works Committee for several years. She has been a strong advocate for enhancing recognition of creative works by Clemson’s retired faculty. In addition to her efforts with the Creative Works Committee, Reiss has participated with the Memoirs Writing group and designed the artwork for one of the books. A quiet force, Reiss brings added value to the work of the Creative Works Committee and to the Memoirs Writing Group.
Dr. Bonnie Stevens, Senior Lecturer Emerita of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
In service to the Emeritus College, Stevens has served on the Advisory Board. She also served as an officer on the Advisory Board, including Chair-Elect, Chair and Past Chair. While serving as Chair, she was instrumental in working with a local vendor to get college members access to Emeritus College merchandise. Bonnie continues to serve the Emeritus College as a member of the Revenue Task Force and the Creative Works Committee.
Dr. Bill Stringer, Associate Professor Emeritus of Agronomy and Soils
In service to the Emeritus College, Stringer served on the Advisory Board from 2018 to 2022. In that time, he served as the Chair-Elect, Chair and Past Chair. As Chair of the Community Outreach Committee, Stringer initiated the Speaker’s Bureau website and increased participation in the program. He has given many informative presentations on World War II and on plant life in the Carolinas to College members.
(Class of 2026 Emeritus College Faculty Awards, from left to right: Kenelly Voss Emeritus of the Year, Joel Greenstein; IDE College Fellows Karen Kemper, Donna Reiss, Bonnie Stevens and William Stringer)
Emeritus College Scholars Scholarship Program
Each year, the Emeritus College awards one or more deserving undergraduate students a scholarship. This year’s recipient is Carson Johnson, a sophomore accounting major from Belton, South Carolina, with a minor in biology. Johnson was inspired by his mom, a CPA, who sparked his passion for attending Clemson. He is actively involved in the Clemson University Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Athletics Leadership group.
Pictured left to right: Debbie Jackson, Carson Johnson and Kathy Headley.
As part of the group, Johnson organizes on-campus events for athletes. He is also a member of the Clemson Cheer Team, which participates in football and basketball games while competing at the national level. Looking ahead, Johnson strives to become a leader within a public accounting firm while making a meaningful impact through his expertise and strong leadership. In his free time, he enjoys stunt cheering, working out and spending time with his friends.
New Emeritus Faculty
Lisa Bodenheimer, Librarian Emerita of University Libraries
Johnell O. Brooks, Professor Emerita of Automotive Engineering
Brenda Burk, Librarian Emerita of University Libraries, Posthumous
Vernon Burton, The Judge Matthew J. Perry Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History
Edward Barry De Lulio, Principal Lecturer Emeritus of Business
Lawrence Fredendall, Burlington Chair Emeritus of Supply Chain Management
David L. Freedman, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences
Julia M. George, Associate Professor Emerita of Biological Sciences
Judson Robert Jahn, Principal Lecturer Emeritus of Legal Studies
Roy Irving Jones, Provost’s Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Educational Leadership
Julie B. Lassiter, Senior Lecturer Emerita of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
Nancy Ward Leininger, Senior Lecturer Emerita of Graphic Communications
Leslie A. Lewis, Lecturer Emerita of Educational and Organizational Leadership
Nora Arostegui Logue, Senior Lecturer Emerita of Languages
John Russell Madray, Senior Lecturer Emeritus of the School of Accountancy
Patricia Guerra Marcondes, Senior Lecturer Emerita of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Science
Jeff Marshall, Professor Emeritus of Teaching and Learning
Johnny McGregor, Professor Emeritus of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences
Melva Marguerite Persico, Senior Lecturer Emerita of Spanish
June J. Pilcher, Alumni Distinguished Professor Emerita of Psychology
William Michael Pulley, Senior Lecturer Emeritus of English
Charles D. Rice, Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences
Harlan Russell , Associate Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Matthew J. Saltzman, Associate Professor Emeritus of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
Sara Moir Sarasua, Associate Professor Emerita of the School of Nursing
Rajendra Singh, Houser Banks Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering
Mark Anthony Small, Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Director, Institute on Family and Neighborhood Life
John Robert Smith, Senior Lecturer Emeritus of World Cinema
David Lee Stegall, Principal Lecturer Emeritus of Philosophy and Religion
Elizabeth A. Stephan, Principal Lecturer Emerita of General Engineering
Ellen Vincent, Principal Lecturer Emerita of Plant and Environmental Sciences/Horticulture
Denise Woodward-Detrich, Senior Lecturer Emerita of Fine Arts and Director of Lee Gallery
New Affiliate Members
Michelle Marie Deem, Family Nurse Practitioner, Clemson Rural Health, Retired
Daniel Michael Howard Distinguished Extension Agent, Retired
Ralph Philip Landreth, Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Operations, Retired
Tina LeMay, Associate Creative Director, Marketing and Communications, Retired
Sandra Piazza, CCIT Systems Programmer, Retired
Della Annette Baker Sprowl, State Program Leader in Extension, Retired
Cairencross C. Withington, Director, Program Review and Effectiveness, The Graduate School, Retired
