Keenan Adams ’10
The Clemson University Young Alumni Council (YAC) has recognized Keenan Adams of Denver as one of the 2016 “Roaring 10” – young alumni who have made an impact in business, leadership, community, educational and/or philanthropic endeavors.
Honorees were selected based on their continued efforts to uphold the university’s core values of honesty, integrity and respect and to demonstrate an “ever-loyal” relationship with Clemson University.
Adams received both a master’s degree in forest resources (2007) and a doctorate in wildlife and fisheries biology (2010) from Clemson. He is currently the supervisory wildlife biologist for the United Sates Fish and Wildlife Service of the National Wildlife Refuge System in Colorado.
Adam was described by his nominator, professor Patricia Layton, as a “superhero for wildlife conservation crisscrossing the country like a caped crusader on a vital mission.” In his role he is the division chief of biological resources for the Mountain-Prairie region, responsible for administering branches of wildlife health, inventory and monitoring of invasive species, ecological assessment and conservation planning.
Adams held many high-level positions in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including assistant manager at Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge and deputy project leader for the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Vero Beach, Florida.
In 2014, Adams was promoted to division chief of biological resources for the Mountain-Prairie Region, becoming the youngest person ever selected for that position.
He gives regularly of his time and skills to many different community organizations, including the Omega Psi Phi service fraternity where he participates in the Omega Leadership Academy Mentorship Program which targets at-risk African-American middle- and high school-age males for mentorship, development of life skills and exposure to professional and college opportunities. He also provides pro-bono photography services for community projects and events through the local city council district.
He continues his loyalty to Clemson through research projects and published papers with his former Clemson faculty members. Recently, he traveled back to Clemson to perform a seminar to help students find employment with the federal government.
The primary mission of Clemson YAC is to support the goals of the Clemson Alumni Association specifically on matters pertaining to Young Alumni. Clemson YAC exists to connect Young Alumni with the University, assist Young Alumni in the transition from active student to alumnus, facilitate fellowship, personal growth and professional development opportunities for young alumni and formally represent Young Alumni interests to the Clemson Alumni Council. The purpose of these efforts is to affect seminal influence on young alumni so they may continue to be connected and contributing alumni for a better Clemson throughout their lives.