The Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors has presented its Founder's Award to CES Dean Tom Keinath. This award recognizes individuals who have made sustained and outstanding contributions to environmental engineering education. Keinath, who began teaching at Clemson in 1969, has been educating young engineers for 29 years.

Before being appointed dean in 1992, he served as head of Clemson's department of environmental engineering and science, a nationally recognized program known for its strength and diversity in both education and research. He has been actively involved in water pollution treatment education and research, as well as serving as president of the International Association of Water Quality. As dean of Clemson's largest college, he currently oversees fifteen academic departments enrolling over 4,600 students and 245 faculty members. Last fiscal year the college was awarded more than $54 million in new research contracts.