Emeritus Award for Community Service
Past Service Award Winners
2021 Community Service Award
Dr. Schoulties, Chair of the Emeritus College Awards Committee, presented the Emeritus Award for Community Service (EACS) for 2021. The recipient for the 2021 EACS award was Dr. Vic Shelburne, Professor Emeritus of Forestry and Natural Resources. Dr. Schoulties highlighted Dr. Shelburne's over 40 years of service to the Boy Scouts of America. Dr. Shelburne has mentored over 236 young people to the rank of Eagle Scout and has supervised over 1200 nights of camping for Clemson Troop 235. Dr. Shelburne's nominator for the award stated, " The Boy Scouts of America provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating in citizenship and develops personal fitness. Vic Shelburne believes so strongly in the values of Scouting that he has dedicated his life to volunteering as a leader. In the process, he has become the very personification of dedication and high-minded principle."
Mr. Jake Gotimer, Assistant Scout Executive and Chief Operating Officer, Blue Ridge Council, spoke of Dr. Shelburne's contributions not only to the Blue Ridge Council but to the greater scouting community throughout the world. Mr. Gotimer highlighted Vic's contributions to Camp Old Indian, such as Three Fourths Lodge and the miles of trails originally built by Dr. Shelburne using his expertise in ecology and conservation. Dr. Shelburne still assists in maintaining these trails today! An average of 60 area youth participate in Troop 235 making it one of the largest troops. The troop provides an average of 800 community service hours yearly, totaling an estimated savings of $23,000 for the Clemson community. Mr. Gotimer also highlighted Vic's impact on scouts throughout the Southeast as well as his contributions to the national and international scouting programs. Jake Gotimer stated," Vic has accumulated some very impressive statistics over his scouting career but I don't think those stats are the most accurate measure of the impact he has had. The mission of the Boy Scouts of America says in part that it's to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime. Throughout his tenure Vic has prepared young men at very impressionable times in their lives with the skills needed to make difficult choices for the rest of their lives. Along the way these men have also been learning tangible skills to improve their lives."
2019 Community Service Award
The recipient of the Community service Award grew-up in Wilmington, Delaware. According to her nominee, "her dad worked for DuPont at the Research Station and was an influence on her college academic choices." When the time for College arrived, she ventured off to Pennsylvania to attend Bucknell University where she received her BS in Chemistry in 1964. She then was accepted into the biochemistry graduate program at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and met her husband to be at a "new graduate student" reception held at her dorm. Linda Gahan obtained her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois in 1968.
Dr. Linda Gahan and her husband, Dr. Lawrence Gahan, came to Clemson in August of 1968. Linda, who was five months pregnant with their first child at the time, immediately became involved in community activities such as the Clemson League of Women Voters. Later on, Linda voluntarily taught two chemistry courses at Daniel High School while the regular teacher was on medical leave. She eventually joined the faculty in biological sciences at Clemson University, obtained tenure in due time, had a very productive career and retired from the Department of Biological Sciences in 2008.
For the past several years, Linda has been involved with Concerned Citizens for Animals. Because some of our students unfortunately "dump" their animals when they depart at the end of the spring semester, there are a number of abandoned cats throughout the Clemson community. Linda feeds 13 cats seven days a week between 6:30 and 7:30 am as well as monitors their health and behavior around the area of the former Clemson House along Daniel Drive and Martin Street.
On the human side of life, she is a supporter and benefactor for Clemson Community Care and the Clemson Child Development Center. She is the past president of the Clemson League of Women Voters and has served in the presidential capacity 4 times. Not only has she served as an officer but also her nominator lists 8 service activities within the League including three international women’s workshops and training programs in Kenya. Telescopically summarizing some of her other community service: Secretary, Clemson-Central Advisory Board, 2010-12; Past moderator at Fort Hill Presbyterian Women, 2011 -12, 2017-19; Co-Coordinator of Family Promise at Fort Hill Presbyterian Church, 2014-20; Chaired a fundraiser for the local P.E.O. Sisterhood Chapter for women’s college scholarships.
In 2012, Linda received the Clemson Rotary Club Community Service Award. Now, in 2019 here tonight, please join me in congratulating Dr. Linda Gahan for her remarkable life of service as a recipient of the Emeritus College’s 2019 Community Service Award.
