Award for Excellence
Congratulations to Dr. William C. Bridges
Dr. Bridges becomes our newest honorary member of The Great Class of 1939.
An alumni distinguished professor in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, William C. Bridges, Jr. has been a Clemson faculty member for nearly 30 years, renowned throughout campus for his extraordinary dedication to research, teaching, and mentorship, serving both faculty and students. Bridges has served on over 300 graduate student advisory committees, as a graduate student advisor, and provided expert guidance to students from diverse disciplines as the ultimate “go-to” source for statistical expertise at Clemson University. Through mentoring, Dr. Bridges has published over 400 peer-reviewed papers, most co-authored with a Clemson student or faculty member. In the past academic year, he coauthored 34 published research articles and was supported on 4 extramural grants. These papers and grants sought to solve problems across diverse fields, e.g., Environmental Science, Crop Science, Microbiology, Math Education, Turfgrass Science, Veterinary Science, Agronomy, Geoscience, Genetics, and Poultry Science. Dr. Bridges provides critical consultation to research faculty across the university through connections in the SC Translational Research Improving Musculoskeletal Health Center for Biomedical Research Excellence. Given the prolific nature of his research program and graduate mentoring, it is safe to say that Dr. Bridges is one of the most impactful faculty members at Clemson University.
Dr. Bridges earned his B.S. in Biology and Mathematics from the University of North Carolina (1980), M.S. in Genetics and Statistics from the University of Nebraska (1982), and Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska. His awards include selection as a Fellow of the American Statistical Association and Fellow in the Institute for Global Road Safety and Security. He is guided philosophically by a statement from a former student who wrote, “While at first, I thought I was ‘special’ to receive this level of commitment, attention, and assistance, I have come to realize that Dr. Bridges considers all his students – all Clemson students for that matter – as special and is equally committed to and involved in their work.” Dr. Bridges also finds time to serve as a faculty advisor to the rowing crew and for the past 20 years as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Scout Troop 235/7235.
The Faculty Senate administers the program. Early in the school year, the call goes out to the entire faculty, asking for nominations for the current year's award. Nominations detail the past five year accomplishments of the nominees. They flow through administrative channels to the Provost, who passes them along to a select faculty committee for assessment. That committee includes the two prior year Award for Excellence winners. The committee studies the nominations and selects a maximum of four for consideration by the entire Faculty Senate, who by secret ballot determine the winner for the year.
At the December graduation exercises, the Provost announces the name of the winner, who is invited to the rostrum to receive a certificate signed by the President of the University and to be given a medal signifying his or her award, which thereafter will be worn as part of the academic uniform. Then in January, the Faculty Senate holds a ceremony at the Class of '39 Bell Tower near Tillman Hall honoring the current winner. Each winner's name is engraved in granite on the Bell Tower. The Class of '39 has a standing invitation to attend this final recognition of the Award for Excellence winner, who at that time is invited to become an honorary member of the class.
Resolution to Honor the Clemson University Class of ‘39
“Whereas the Class of ‘39 established the Class of 1939 Award for Excellence “to inspire the greatest possible level of achievement by members of the faculty of Clemson University;” and Whereas the Award for Excellence is presented annually to one distinguished member of the faculty whose outstanding contributions have been judged by peers to represent the highest achievement of service to the University, the Student Body, and the larger community; and Whereas Faculty who have received this distinction become members of the Class of ‘39; and Whereas the members of the Class of ‘39 have bestowed the privilege of the Award facilitation to the Faculty Senate; and Whereas the Class of ‘39 respects and believes in the importance of the faculty and its impact on students and the future of Clemson University; Resolved that the Faculty Senate does hereby honor and celebrate the members of the Great Class of ‘39 for its trust and confidence in the recognition of the faculty of Clemson University. - Passed unanimously by the Faculty Senate, November 11, 1997
List of Recipients:
- William C. Bridges (2023)
- Brian A. Powell (2022)
- Rhondda R. Thomas (2021)
- Delphine Dean (2020)
- Mary Elizabeth Kurz (2019)
- Lisa Benson (2018)
- Terry Tritt (2017)
- Antonis Katsiyannis (2016)
- June J. Pilcher (2015)
- Catherine Mobley (2014)
- John Ballato (2013)
- Windsor Westbrook Sherrill (2012)
- Richard Figliola (2011)
- Melanie M. Cooper (2010)
- Webb M. Smathers (2009)
- William (Bill) Pennington (2008)
- Alma Bennet (2007)
- Donald M. McKale (2006)
- Ben Sill (2005)
- Art Young (2004)
- Kinly Sturkie (2003)
- A.P (Hap) Wheeler (2002)
- Jerry Waldvogel (2001)
- Chip Egan (2000)
- Judy Melton (1999)
- Larry Bauer (1998)
- Chalmers Butler (1997)
- Larry LaForge (1996)
- Fran McGuire (1995)
- Cecil Huey (1994)
- Budd Bodine (1993)
- Ray Turner (1992)
- John Idol (1991)
- Joel Brawley (1990)
- Dixie Goswami (1989)
