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Alumni in the spotlight
CoES inducts two new Thomas Green Clemson Academy members
The College of Engineering and Science celebrated Engineering and
Science Week at Clemson by inducting two new members into its prestigious
Thomas Green Clemson Academy of Distinguished Engineers and Scientists.
Candidates for selection into the academy are judged on three criteria:
- conspicuous success in their career,
- significant contributions to society through professional or
service activities, and
- notable contributions to engineering/science practice.
 When
Wade Ponder matriculated here, he had no choice
but to be a commuting student. A counselor at Clemson told him that
“commuting students don’t graduate in chemical engineering.”
Forty-four thousand miles later he had his Bachelor’s degree,
and in 1965, fulfilled the requirements for his M.S. in ChemE.
During his 33-year career at the Environmental Protection Agency,
Ponder has made significant and lasting contributions to society
by developing innovative engineering solutions to complex environmental
problems.
Ponder was a pioneer in the development of flue gas desulfurization
technologies which allowed U.S. power plants to utilize America’s
abundant coal resources to generate electricity in an environmentally
sound, energy efficient and economical manner.
As the current Chief of the Technical Services Branch in EPA’s
National Risk Management Research Laboratory, he and his staff conducted
analyses after the 9/11 terrorist attacks to identify the chemical
constituents of dust samples taken from the World Trade Center disaster
site. These studies provided critical information to police, firefighters,
EMS crews, and the general public about air quality and potential
health effects in the area.
Among his many professional accomplishments and awards, Ponder particularly
treasures the 1998 Office of Research and Development’s inaugural
Diversity Leadership Award for his efforts to create a fair and
productive environment for a diverse workforce using advanced human
resources management techniques.
 In
1964, Edward Samulski, completed his B.S. degree
in textile chemistry here at Clemson, and afterwards went to Princeton,
where he received his Ph.D. in chemistry. He then moved on to an
academic position at the University of Connecticut.
He was recruited to the department of chemistry at UNC-Chapel Hill
to launch a new polymer initiative. In less than a decade, this
fledgling program was ranked among the top ten polymer programs
in the country. He has been a pivotal member of the UNC Chemistry
Department since 1988 and served as Chair of the department from
1995 to 2000.
Recently Samulski reported a major advance with his discovery of
a class of biaxial nematic liquid crystals (LCs). This has been
a “holy grail” for liquid crystallographers, and was
one of the top breakthroughs in the field of chemistry in 2004.
This breakthrough has generated a blizzard of scientific activity
in the LC field, and has received extensive news coverage, including
pieces in Chemical & Engineering News and Nature.
He was named a Simon Guggenheim Fellow in 1995, and most recently,
was chosen to be a scientific advisor as a prestigious Jefferson
Science Fellow to the U.S. State Department. This important assignment
in Washington, D.C. is just getting under way, and Samulski is already
being pulled into the most important debates facing our Nation and
the world - including global warming, clean drinking water, proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction and education.
The 2006 Outstanding Young Alumni award was presented
to an honoree that has realized outstanding accomplishments in all
three recognition categories:
- significant career success or
- notable contributions to society through professional service
activities, or
- substantial advancements in the practice of engineering and
science.
Karen Burg, Hunter Endowed Chair of Bioengineering, was
named the 2006 Outstanding Young Alumna for the College of Engineering
and Science. After receiving her B.S. in chemical engineering from
North Carolina State University, she completed her Masters and Ph.D.
degrees in bioengineering here at Clemson. She joined the Clemson
faculty in 1999, after finishing a post-doctoral fellowship at the
Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
Burg has established herself as a leading tissue-engineering scientist.
The major focus of her work addresses reconstruction of breast tissue
following oncological surgery. Her pioneering techniques have led
to eleven patents issued or pending in the United States. Funding
for her work comes from the National Institutes of Health, the National
Science Foundation and the Department of Defense, among others.
She has been awarded a 2006 Fellowship from the American Council
on Education. In March, she was named a Fellow of the American Institute
of Medical and Biological Engineering, an exceptional honor for
someone her age. In April, she was honored with the Governor’s
Young Investigator Award by the State of South Carolina.
 Mechanical
engineer alumnus and retired NASA scientist, Otha “Skeet”
Vaughan (B.S. ME ’51; M.S. ME ’59) of Huntsville,
Ala., received the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
(AIAA) 2006 Losey Atmospheric Sciences Award during the annual Aerospace
Sciences Meeting and Exhibit in Reno, Nev.
Vaughan earned the award for his research in atmospheric electricity
and the discovery of Red Sprites and Blue Jets that occur above
severe thunderstorms. Earth science experts around the world refer
to him as “Mr. Lightning” because of his work in atmospheric
electricity.
Materials engineering graduate Chester Arazy
(M.S.’74) of Voorhees, N.J., recently received the U.S. Navy
Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the Navy’s highest civilian
award. He’s pictured right with Capt. Lawrence Baun.
He was honored for his support of the PEO Aircraft Carriers/Small
Business Innovative Research Program. His work helped lead to the
development of a new lightweight thermal insulation material for
shipboard use that will have long-lasting impact in personnel safety,
finance, efficient operation and overall warfare capability.
 Clemson
alumnus James H. Young, Jr., (B.S. EE ’59),
has retired as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Midwest
Independent Transmission System Operator (Midwest ISO). The board
was established in 2004 as a link in the safe, cost-effective delivery
of electric power across much of North America. The organization
operates power transmission grids and energy markets.
He is former Senior Vice President of Business Development for South
Carolina Electric & Gas Company. Young holds a bachelor's of
science degree in electrical engineering from Clemson (1959) and
a master of business administration degree from USC. He is an emeritus
member of the Clemson's advisory board for the College of Engineering
and Science, serving for 15 years.
2006 Distinguished Service Awards –
Clemson Alumni Association
With all his professional accomplishments and civic involvement,
the role that Frank Kellers (B.S. EE ’57)
is best known for is ambassador for Clemson University.
After graduating from Clemson with a B.S. in electrical engineering
in 1957, he served in the Army Signal Corps where he met and married
Sheila Stalk. He returned to civilian life in 1959 and went to work
for the Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. in Sunnyvale, Calif. During
his 32-year career with Lockheed, Kellers distinguished himself
as an expert in telemetry, tracking and command systems in the chief
systems engineer’s office.
When Kellers retired in 1991, Clemson became his full-time profession.
President of the Northern California Clemson Club for the past 21
years, he’s also served as Alumni National Council district
director, district member and member-at-large; IPTAY representative
and Western regional chairman; and member of the Clemson Admissions
team. He even established the California Hotline, (408) CLEMSON,
to keep everyone informed of Clemson activities happening on the
West Coast.
 Lloyd
Lancaster (B.M.E. ‘48)of Charlotte, N.C., is a man
of commitment as evidenced by his 52-year marriage, 33-year employment
with GE and 55-year IPTAY membership.
At Clemson, he was a member of the Senior Platoon, Tiger Platoon,
Tiger Brotherhood, The Tiger staff and more. He graduated with a
degree in mechanical engineering and briefly held two positions
before he found his home at General Electric.
Lancaster’s sales career spanned 16 years in Columbia and
17 more in Charlotte. He was honored with a variety of awards including
his most treasured one — “GE is Me” — which
he received for his many charitable activities outside the company.
When he retired in 1990, community service became his full-time
job.
A member of the Benefactors of 1889 cumulative giving society, he’s
supported the Fort Hill Scholarship, Clemson Corps and Clemson Fund.
In 1997, he and Peggy established the Harry Lloyd and Helen Lightsey
Lancaster Scholarship Endowment in memory of his parents to benefit
mechanical engineering students.
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