James Frazier Barker
Encyclopedia
James Frazier Barker is the current president of Clemson University
.
. 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.
, before moving to Mississippi State University
in 1974. 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.
and the Restoration Institute in North Charleston
(including a $98 million wind turbine
research center).
Barker also has served as the chair of the NCAA
Division I board of directors from 2007 until 2010, and commissioner (2002–2004) and chair (2004–2006) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
.
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
.
Early life and education
Barker was born in Kingsport, TennesseeKingsport, Tennessee
Kingsport is a city located mainly in Sullivan County with some western portions in Hawkins County in the US state of Tennessee. The majority of the city lies in Sullivan County...
. He attended Clemson University and graduated with a degree in architecture in 1970. He then attended Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
, earning a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in architecture in 1973.
Academic career
Following graduation, Barker was an assistant professor of architecture at the University of TennesseeUniversity of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
, before moving to Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
in 1974. In 1984 he became dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
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.
President of Clemson
Since 1999, Barker has served as President of Clemson. In his inaugural address, Barker stated a goal of having Clemson ranked in the Top 20 public universities, as ranked by U.S. News and World Report. In 2009, Barker and the university drew criticism for their methods of pursuing the goal, including accusations of manipulating faculty salary data and giving low peer rankings to competing institutions. During his tenure, Clemson's U.S. News ranking has risen from #38 to #22. Barker has overseen the creation of the Clemson University International Center for Automotive ResearchClemson University International Center for Automotive Research
The Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research is a automotive and motorsports research campus in Greenville, South Carolina...
and the Restoration Institute in North Charleston
North Charleston, South Carolina
North Charleston is the 3rd largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina with incorporated areas in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. On June 12, 1972 the city of North Charleston incorporated and was the 9th largest city in South Carolina. According to the 2010 Census, North...
(including a $98 million wind turbine
Wind turbine
A wind turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy. If the mechanical energy is used to produce electricity, the device may be called a wind generator or wind charger. If the mechanical energy is used to drive machinery, such as for grinding grain or...
research center).
Barker also has served as the chair of the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division I board of directors from 2007 until 2010, and commissioner (2002–2004) and chair (2004–2006) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
.