Charles C. Mickel ’79

Charles C. Mickel of Greenville has been recognized as one of five recipients of the 2015 Distinguished Service Award, the association’s highest honor.

Mickel received a Bachelors of Science in industrial management from Clemson in 1979 and went on to build a remarkable career in real estate investment.

Mickel’s success has enabled him to give back to his community and his alma mater in extraordinary ways.

He is a major donor to Clemson, and has supported numerous initiatives from capital campaigns to scholarships. He has served on the Clemson University Foundation Board, the Real Estate Board, and the President’s Advisory Board.

Perhaps most notably, he is credited with assisting with the implementation of the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU ICAR) facility in Greenville.

“We needed leadership to make it a reality,” said Clemson president emeritus James Barker. “We turned to Charlie Mickel and he responded with remarkable commitment, insight and passion for the idea. His quiet but tenacious leadership brought CU-ICAR into being. Simply stated, there would be no CU ICAR without him.”

Mickel’s commitment to service reaches far beyond the Clemson campus. He is the vice-chairman and treasurer of the Daniel-Mickel Foundation, a foundation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all people in the Greenville community. He is also passionate about the arts, and gives generously of his time and talent by serving as president of the Museum Association board and as incoming president to Artisphere, to name just two examples.

Mickel and his wife, Rachelle, live in Greenville and have two grown children.