Researchers are using microwaves, UV radiation and microbiology in the fight against PFAS contamination, as their discovery in thousands of water supplies across the nation raises health concerns.

The 2024-2025 SCEEES Distinguished Lecture Series featured prominent faculty from civil and environmental engineering programs across the country, as well as industry leaders.

Alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends are invited to join us for our annual Tailgate on Friday, Sep. 12 at 4:30 p.m. in Clemson. More details at the link below.

As we reflect on the past year, it’s clear that we’ve experienced a period of remarkable momentum and progress. The School continues to thrive, and I’m proud to share just a few of the highlights that have made this year truly special.

This Fall, we are excited to welcome four new faculty members, including the inaugural Bob Benmosche Endowed Professor, whose collective expertise and energy will further enrich our academic community. Their arrival marks a continued investment in excellence and innovation.

Our faculty have made meaningful contributions across all dimensions of university life. From delivering outstanding teaching and conducting impactful research to engaging in national professional service and forging strong partnerships with industry, their dedication has been inspiring. We’ve also built lasting professional relationships with esteemed colleagues across the country, strengthening our national presence.

We’ve taken time to celebrate the achievements of our faculty, alumni, and students—each success is a testament to the talent and hard work that defines our Clemson community. As we look ahead, I remain inspired by all that we’ve accomplished together and energized by the opportunities that lie ahead. Thank you for being a part of this journey. Go Tigers!

Jesus M. de la Garza, Ph.D.
Director and Professor
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences 

The Glenn Department of Civil Engineering celebrated a year of achievement, partnerships and remembrance. We honored David Rozendale’s legacy with the creation of the Outstanding Advisory Board Member Award and marked 10 years of the Glenn Family's support. Faculty achieved a record $9M in research expenditures from major sponsors like the U.S. Navy, USDOT, NASA, and NSF. With Industry Partners, we raised funds to host the 2025 ASCE Carolinas Symposium, welcoming 350 students and 125+ volunteers. Our Tigers won 1st Overall, sending three teams to Nationals—Steel Bridge earned Most Improved. Lab upgrades continued, including 3D LiDAR scanning via a $250k Beccue Foundation grant. Faculty accolades included Farhang Forghanparast’s KEEN Campus Rising Star and Engineering Unleashed Fellow honors, and best paper awards for Miguel Cid Montoya and Brandon Ross.

It was a year of progress, pride, and lasting impact.

Jennifer H. Ogle, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor
Glenn Department of Civil Engineering

This past year marked exciting growth and increased visibility for the Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences. We rebranded and expanded our presence on major social media platforms—including LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky, and Facebook—greatly enhancing outreach and recruitment. This effort helped triple applications and led to over 90 new admissions across our M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Biosystems Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Geology. A major highlight of the year was our annual Hydrogeology Symposium, which grew from a regional event to one with international impact, drawing over 500 in-person attendees and more than 200 online participants. The symposium featured a distinguished plenary lecture by Stanford’s Sally M. Benson, titled “Advances in Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide in Deep Geological Formations,” delivered live from Clemson’s Madren Conference Center.

We’re proud of the momentum we’ve built this year and excited for what’s ahead.

Debora F. Rodrigues, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor
Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences 

The School of Civil and Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences Newsletter is published by the School in Clemson University’s College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences.

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