Faculty, staff and students are invited to nominate deserving individuals for several awards that recognize both exemplary instruction, leadership and service to Clemson University and the broader community.
Other student award nomination information will be shared in early January 2026.
Jump to:
- Academic Success Center Awards
- Algernon Sydney Sullivan Non-Student Award
- College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS) Award
- Frank A. Burtner Award for Excellence in Advising
- Graduate School Awards
- Mentoring in Creative Inquiry Awards
- Provost Outstanding Teaching Awards
- Ralph D. Elliott Endowed Award
- Thomas Green Clemson Award
Academic Success Center Awards
Deadline: February 27, 2026
Dr. Ted G. Westmoreland Award for Faculty Excellence: This award is presented annually to honor a distinguished faculty member who has made exemplary contributions to undergraduate student success at Clemson University. The award recipient receives a monetary award and a plaque. Additionally, the faculty member’s name is added to the perpetual Dr. Ted G. Westmoreland Award for Faculty Excellence plaque on display in the Class of 1956 Academic Success Center Building.
Class of 1956 Award for Staff Excellence: This award is presented annually to honor a distinguished staff member who has made exemplary contributions to undergraduate student success at Clemson University. The award recipient receives a monetary award and a plaque. Additionally, the staff member’s name is added to the perpetual Class of 1956 Award for Staff Excellence plaque on display in the Class of 1956 Academic Success Center Building.
Review award details and begin the nomination process.
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Non-Student Award
Deadline: February 16, 2026
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Non-Student Award: This award is intended to honor those who exhibit Sullivan’s ideals of heart, mind, and conduct as evidenced by, “generous and unselfish service to others.” Recipients should have an interest in or be associated with Clemson University and live with-in the State of South Carolina.
Review the award details and begin the nomination process.
College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS) Award
Deadline: January 22, 2026
Rowland P. Alston, Sr., ’42 Award for Excellence in Public Relations: This award recognizes outstanding Clemson University faculty or staff who, through programs and activities related to agriculture and/or natural resources, have provided Clemson University with positive visibility throughout South Carolina, the United States, and the world. The recipient may be from any discipline or area of the university but utilizes agriculture or the natural resources as their vehicle of influence. The award includes a $2,500 stipend and a plaque for the recipient. The award is made possible by an endowment established by Rowland Alston, retired extension agent and former host of the public television program “Making It Grow,” in memory of his father.
Review the award details and begin the nomination process.
Frank A. Burtner Award for Excellence in Advising
Deadline: February 16, 2026
Frank A. Burtner Award for Excellence in Advising: Presented to an advisor of students or student organizations (academic or non-academic) or who excels in developing students in the area of leadership, devotion to duty and service.
Review the awards details and begin the nomination process.
Graduate School Awards
Deadline: February 13, 2026
Frankie O. Felder Graduate Student Award of Excellence: Presented to one graduating master’s student or doctoral candidate who exhibits academic excellence and inspires others by demonstrating perseverance through adversity. The winner receives a commemorative medallion and a cash prize.
Outstanding Graduate Researcher Award: Presented to two graduate student researchers to recognize their outstanding contributions to research activity and their future promise as researchers. Winners receive $1,000.
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award: Presented to two graduate student teaching assistants to recognize their outstanding contributions to student learning and development. Winners receive $1,000.
Distinguished Postdoctoral and Professional Scholar Award: Presented to one postdoctoral or professional scholar to recognize their outstanding performance in scientific research, teaching, leadership, advocacy, and/or outreach during their appointment at Clemson University.
Deadline: March 16, 2026
Clemson University Distinguished Graduate Student Support Staff Award: Presented to one staff member to recognize their excellence in supporting graduate students. The winner receives $1,000.
Clemson University Distinguished Doctoral Mentoring Award: Presented to two faculty members to recognize their excellence in mentoring doctoral students. Winners receive $1,500.
Graduate School Award for Commitment to Community and Engagement: Presented to one graduate student, staff, or faculty member to recognize their commitment to fostering a healthy and engaged graduate education community at Clemson University.
Review the award details and begin the nomination process.
Mentoring in Creative Inquiry Awards
Deadline: February 13, 2026
The Phil and Mary Bradley Faculty Award for Mentoring in Creative Inquiry: This award is presented each spring in recognition of outstanding work with undergraduate students. Nominations are accepted from student participants in Creative Inquiry. The award is made possible by generous gifts from Phil and Mary Bradley and consists of a plaque and a salary supplement.
Review the award details and begin the nomination process.
Graduate Student Award for Mentoring in Creative Inquiry: This award is presented each spring in recognition of outstanding work with undergraduate students. Nominations are accepted from undergraduate student participants in Creative Inquiry projects. The award consists of a plaque and a salary supplement.
Review the award details and begin the nomination process.
Provost Outstanding Teaching Awards
Deadline: February 16, 2026
Provost Junior Non-Tenure-Track Outstanding Teaching Award
Provost Senior Non-Tenure-Track Outstanding Teaching Award
Provost Junior Tenure-Track Outstanding Teaching Award
Provost Senior Tenured Outstanding Teaching Award
The Provost Teaching Awards recognize efforts by instructors to improve student learning experiences. The Teaching Awards are designed to recognize efforts by instructors to adopt new teaching strategies and new pedagogies, incorporate experiential learning experiences, apply inclusive practices and universal design for learning, impactful teaching technologies, and other means to increase student engagement and success. Demonstrable impact on student learning is key, whether through individual teaching, team teaching, peer mentoring of colleagues, and/or departmental leadership. These awards recognize demonstrable positive impacts on the quality of teaching at Clemson University. Eligible nominations must be submitted from a college dean’s or associate dean’s office.
Review the award details and begin the nomination process.
Ralph D. Elliott Endowed Award
Deadline: February 13, 2026
The Ralph D. Elliott Award for Outstanding Service to Off-Campus Distance, and Continuing Education: Established in 2006 by family and friends of Dr. Elliott in honor of his retirement as Vice Provost for Off-Campus, Distance and Continuing Education & Professor of Economics.
The purpose of the award is to recognize and honor a Clemson University faculty, staff or administrator who has promoted initiatives in the field of credit or noncredit continuing education in a worthy and exemplary manner.
The recipient of this award will be selected according to the following criteria:
- Served as an excellent teacher or mentor;
- Developed and/or coordinated model continuing education programs, off campus or distance education programs;
- Facilitated new programming areas through continuing education, off campus or distance education;
- Opened new avenues for the advancement of education, off campus or distance education organizations at the state, regional or national level.
To nominate for this award, contact Julie Pickett.
Thomas Green Clemson Award
Deadline: January 22, 2026
The Thomas Green Clemson Award for Excellence: Established to recognize Clemson University faculty and staff whose teaching, research and/ or service have been exemplary. The award will be given to individuals who have made sustained and significant contributions to academic life at Clemson University. While all Clemson faculty and staff are eligible, nominations are particularly encouraged for individuals whose contributions have not been previously recognized at the University level.
