Robert Baldwin named recipient of the Class of ’39 Award for Excellence

Clemson University faculty have named Robert Baldwin one of the very best among its ranks by awarding him the Class of '39 Award for Excellence.

The award, endowed by the Class of 1939 to commemorate its 50th anniversary in 1989, is presented annually to one distinguished faculty member whose outstanding contributions for a five-year period have been judged by peers to represent the highest service achievement to the student body, University and the larger community.

A professor and chair of the Margaret H. Lloyd SmartState Endowment within the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation (FEC), Baldwin has been a Clemson faculty member for nearly 20 years. Additionally, he was recently appointed as the executive director of the Clemson Experimental Forest.

Dr. Robert Baldwin's contributions to global conservation research, transformative mentorship, outstanding teaching and selfless service have left an indelible mark on Clemson University and the world. We are immensely proud to celebrate this remarkable achievement."

Robert Baldwin will have his name etched into the monument under the bell at
Carillon Garden on Clemson University's campus.

Kyle Barrett, who nominated Baldwin, wrote that he has demonstrated excellence in research, teaching and service to the University and broader community while at Clemson. Over the last five years, Baldwin has published 35 peer-reviewed papers, which include 34 student authors, served on 29 graduate student committees across four departments, graduated four doctoral students and mentored three postdoctoral scholars. Additionally, he has served on eight University committees within the last five years, two of which he chaired.

Baldwin's contributions extend globally. He participates in an international research program in the Central Indian Highlands, focusing on landscape-scale conservation. Multiple international news outlets have profiled his student researchers in India.

He also organized the FEC's contributions on the ClimateSmart Forestry proposal to the National Resources Conservation Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The project was funded at $70 million, representing the largest single grant to Clemson.

"I am grateful to the Class of '39 and my friends and colleagues in the Faculty Senate for this wonderful news - it is a great honor and unexpected. Over my years at Clemson, I have often noted the mystique of the Class of '39 and its indelible impact on the University," said Baldwin. "The Class of '39 represents to me the ultimate expression of service to Clemson; in addition to pursuing their professions, they took the time to work on shared goals. I am honored to be among these names and will do whatever I can to further its mission."

Barrett closed out his nomination letter by adding that Baldwin models thoughtful and trustworthy leadership, all while contributing valuable scholarship that betters the lives of citizens in South Carolina and beyond.

The Class of '39 reception honoring Baldwin will be on December 17.