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John Komo receiving Honorary Alumnus at Clemson University

John Komo named Honorary Alumnus at Clemson University

A Clemson University professor emeritus who is credited with helping students succeed in life is among the latest group of university faithful to be named Honorary Alumnus.

Dr. John J. Komo served as a professor in the Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering for 34 years before retiring. His latest honor puts him in the same club as Charles Daniel, Frank Howard, Buck Mickel, Hugh Leatherman and more than 200 other honorary alumni, according to the Clemson Alumni Association.

Komo thanked family, friends and colleagues as they gathered in Riggs Hall to help celebrate the honor.

“It’s wonderful to be recognized, but for me, it’s always been about providing the best education for the students,” Komo said. “That was always my favorite part of the job. ”

Komo, who still lives in Clemson, established an endowed fellowship in 2007 for graduate students in his department. Many of his former students and colleagues have given to the fund.

Komo’s colleagues said he served as a teacher, mentor and friend to thousands of students in the College of Engineering and Science. Former students hold Komo in high regard, crediting him with their success in life, colleagues said.

Dr. Dan Noneaker, chairman of the Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, said he worked closely with Komo, mentoring students and planning course offerings and content.

“Over the past 21 years, it has been consistently apparent to me that the university and Clemson’s students have had a rare friend and treasure in Dr. Komo,” Noneaker said.

The Clemson Alumni Association awards Honorary Alumnus status based on outstanding service to the university or association, lifelong devotion to the university and demonstrated loyalty to university and the association.

Ann Marie Alexander, the university’s senior director of Corporate and Foundations Relations, said she was extremely impressed that Komo would be so generous and gracious not only with his dedication to students but also with his support of Clemson University.

“I could see how proud Dr. Komo was of the students and the department to which he dedicated his professional career,” she said. “His passion was, and is, the students. He is a humble person and never sought public accolades for his activities over the decades to support the students, department and College of Engineering and Science.”

Komo has served as an outstanding teacher of critical undergraduate and graduate courses, providing the fundamental engineering underpinnings for multiple generations of graduates, Noneaker said.

After his retirement, Komo continued to teach core undergraduate courses to ensure students had access to experienced instruction in key topics. He has also shared his expertise in communication systems with many graduate students over the decades.

“Many Clemson ECE graduates who have gone on to high-impact engineering careers attribute their success in no small measure to Dr. Komo’s commitment to their development as engineering professionals,” Noneaker said.

Here is what former students had to say about Komo:

Noland Suddeth, director of energy management and process controls at Duke Energy, said, “He was a professor of mine in the late ‘70s, and he was great. He and Dr. Gowdy had a huge influence on my return to grad school. In the last 31 years, he has been a good friend and mentor. He always put the students first.”

Laurie Joiner, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, said, “Dr. Komo has been my wonderful teacher, advisor, and friend. As a student it was obvious how much he loves teaching and working with students. Through him I learned what a fulfilling career academia can be, and he has continued to mentor me in my academic career.”

Bruce Churchill, who works in the Office of the CTO at Ericsson, said, “Dr. Komo’s passion for teaching and nurturing of students and constant encouragement are major contributors to my professional success. He always took whatever time and resources required by the student for issues, both professional and personal. I began my interaction with Dr. Komo initially in the professor-student relationship during my undergraduate years at Clemson, which progressed to mentor as Dr. Komo functioned as my lead advisor during my graduate career and ultimately to close friend during my professional career.”

To honor Komo with a contribution to his endowment, go to http://cualumni.clemson.edu/give/john-komo.

Bobby Couch receiving Honorary Alumnus of Clemson University

Bobby Couch named Honorary Alumnus of Clemson University

CLEMSON — James Robert “Bobby” Couch Jr., assistant director of athletics and IPTAY executive director of major gifts, has been named an Honorary Alumnus of Clemson University by the Clemson Alumni Association.

“I’m ecstatic and truly honored to be named a Clemson University Honorary Alumnus,” said Couch. “The day that Brian O’Rourke [director of Development and Alumni Affairs] brought me and my family here, the Clemson family has wrapped its arms around us and never let go. I work and live every day to return that passion I feel exuding from the hearts of all that are Solid Orange.”

Couch came to Clemson in 2005 as assistant director of athletics and IPTAY’s executive director of major gifts. Since then, he led the Clemson University Athletic Department through its first-ever $28 million and $185 million fundraising campaigns, secured the largest major and planned athletics gift in Clemson history and funded the restoration of the “Heisman Bible.”

As current associate athletic director for development for athletics and director of IPTAY major gifts, Couch manages a portfolio of 150 prospective donors and makes 200 visits per year.

“For many years, Bobby has served as a tireless ambassador of the university and he has demonstrated the passion and dedication to see Clemson achieve its goals that is usually only found among our alumni,” said Wil Brasington, alumni relations senior director. “Because of that, we felt it was only fitting to express our appreciation through this high distinction and, in doing so, we declare him ‘one of our own,’ a Clemson alumnus.”

Couch continues to support Clemson University by being a major donor to the Scroll of Honor, a Clemson Forever Fund and IPTAY donor and a children CATs and Cub member. He also serves as a board member for the Scott Hannon Foundation and the Golden Strip YMCA and participates as a member of the St. Mary Magdalene Building Committee, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

“Clemson is our life. Christi and I have watched our four boys grow up here,” said Couch. “I don’t know what life would be like without Clemson.”

Honorary alumni are specially selected by the Alumni Association Honors and Awards Committee for their outstanding service, lifelong devotion and loyalty to Clemson University or the Clemson Alumni Association. To see past honorary alumni or to view the award guidelines, visit the honorary alumni web page.

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Clemson Alumni Association
The Clemson Alumni Association, an open-membership, nonprofit organization since its inception in 1896, connects members of the 140,000-strong Clemson Family, inspiring pride, celebrating achievement, providing service and strengthening relationships with Clemson University and with each other.

Mary Dalby Bradley receiving Clemson Honorary Alumna

Mary Dalby Bradley Named Clemson Honorary Alumna

The Clemson Alumni Association (CAA) has named one of the university’s most enthusiastic and dedicated champions, Mary Dalby Bradley, an honorary alumna for her lifelong devotion and demonstrated loyalty to her adopted school.

Mary wed her husband, Phil, in 1963 while he was a student at Clemson and has supported the school ever since.

“Mary Bradley has earned her way into the Clemson family with a smile on her face each step of the way,” said Clemson President Emeritus James F. Barker in his nomination letter. “After they were married, she and Phil moved into married student housing in our prefabs. This began a lifelong love affair for Mary with all things Clemson.”

The Bradleys have become well known for hosting meetings of Clemson in the Lowcountry — a group that keeps Clemson alumni in the Charleston area in touch with one another and with the university — at their home on Johns Island, where they have built a “tavern” next to the main house that is decked out from top to bottom in Clemson paraphernalia.

“One visit to their home confirms their ‘all-in’, ‘orange-blood’ relationship with Clemson,” said Thomas Thornhill, former president of the Alumni Association “The tavern next to their home contains practically every Clemson memento ever made.”

“(Mary) hosted events in the Lowcountry for decades to bring the Clemson Family to celebrate, mourn and strengthen our bonds together,” said Barker. “This leadership and hosting continued into her service and commitment to our Board of Visitors. Further, Mary has been joyful in her financial support of Clemson. The Bradley Award in the Creative Inquiry program is a wonderful example of a gift helping to transform undergraduate education on our campus.”

Ann Hunter (left), past president of the Clemson University Alumni Association, gives Mary Bradley a certificate naming her an Honorary Alumnus of Clemson University.

The Clemson alumni and development staff reiterated Barker’s sentiment in a letter supporting Bradley’s nomination.

“Mary is a true giver of time, talent, and treasure to Clemson,” it reads. “Though she married into the Clemson family, Mary’s commitment to our university is unmatched. Her work with Clemson in the Lowcountry has brought a warmth to the organization for over a decade, as she opens her home and brings that special touch only Mary has. She leads with her heart, which truly bleeds orange.”

Any Clemson alumnus can nominate someone to be an honorary alumnus. Honorary alumni are selected based on their outstanding service to Clemson and/or the CAA, their lifelong devotion to Clemson University and their demonstrated loyalty to Clemson and the CAA.

To see a list of past honorary alumni or to view the award guidelines, visit the honorary alumni web page.

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