James Frazier Barker | |
---|---|
President of Clemson University | |
In office 11 November 1999 – 30 December 2013 | |
Preceded by | Constantine W. Curris |
Succeeded by | James P. Clements |
Personal details | |
Born | [1] Kingsport, Tennessee, U.S. | May 1, 1947
Alma mater |
Clemson University Washington University in St. Louis |
Occupation | Administrator, Professor |
James Frazier Barker (born May 1, 1947) is the former president of Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina.
Barker was born in Kingsport, Tennessee and graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School. [2] He attended Clemson University and graduated with a degree in architecture in 1970. He then attended Washington University in St. Louis, earning a master's degree in architecture in 1973. [3]
Following graduation, Barker was hired as an assistant professor of architecture at the University of Tennessee. In 1974, he moved to Mississippi State University. [4] In 1984 he became dean of architecture at Mississippi State. Barker became dean of architecture at Clemson University in 1986, a position he held until his election as president in 1999. [5]
Barker served as President of Clemson from 1999 to 2014. In his inaugural address, Barker stated a goal of having Clemson ranked in the Top 20 public universities, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. During his tenure, Clemson's U.S. News ranking has risen from #38 to #22. [6] Barker has overseen the creation of the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research and the Restoration Institute in North Charleston (including a $98 million wind turbine research center). [7]
Barker also has served as the chair of the NCAA Division I board of directors from 2007 until 2010, [8] [9] and commissioner (2002–2004) and chair (2004–2006) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. [4] [10]
In January 2013, Barker underwent five heart bypass surgeries. On April 16, 2013, he announced plans to retire and return full-time to the classroom. [11] James P. Clements replaced him as president on January 1, 2014. [12]