Dr. G. Wayne Clough, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, will be honored as Florida Southern Colleges 75th Honorary Chancellor during the annual Founders Day Convocation on March 13.

Three Outstanding Alumni also will be Recognized at Founders Day Convocation

LAKELAND, Fla. (March 6, 2009) — Dr. G. Wayne Clough, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, will be honored as Florida Southern Colleges 75th Honorary Chancellor during the annual Founders Day Convocation in Branscomb Auditorium. Florida Southern has awarded the title of Honorary Chancellor, the highest recognition the College bestows on an individual, since 1934. The ceremonies begin at 11 a.m. March 13, when Dr. Clough will deliver the Founders Day address. The Convocation is free and open to the public.

"We are honored to welcome such a distinguished educator, researcher, and administrator as Dr. Clough to our campus," said Dr. Anne B. Kerr, president of FSC. "His important contributions to higher education during his distinguished career are widely recognized. The entire College community eagerly anticipates hearing his message on Founders Day."

Elected by the Smithsonian Board of Regents in 2008, Dr. Clough is the 12th secretary of the Institution, leading the world's largest museum and research complex with 19 museums, nine research centers, the National Zoo and research activities in more than 90 countries.

Prior to his appointment to the Smithsonian, Dr. Clough served as president of the Georgia Institute of Technology for 14 years. He received his bachelors and masters degrees in civil engineering from Georgia Tech and a doctorate in civil engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He has taught at Duke University, Stanford University, and Virginia Tech. He served as head of the Department of Civil Engineering and dean of the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, and as provost at the University of Washington.

During Dr. Clough's presidency at Georgia Tech, the college's enrollment and research expenditures grew dramatically. Under his leadership, the university completed a building program of more than $1 billion incorporating sustainable design, one of Dr. Clough's interests.

Dr. Clough is a member of the National Science Board and chair of the National Research Council Committee on New Orleans Regional Hurricane Protection Projects. The American Society of Civil Engineers awarded him the 2004 OPAL lifetime award for contributions to education, and he is one of only 14 civil engineers to have been twice awarded civil engineering's oldest recognition, the Norman Medal, in 1982 and in 1996. In 1990, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, and in 2008 he was given the NAE Bueche Award for his contributions to public policy. In addition, he was awarded the 2002 National Engineering Award by the American Association of Engineering Societies.

In addition to Dr. Clough's Founders Day address, three outstanding alumni will receive awards from the College for leadership and service to their professions, their communities, and their alma mater. Alumni Achievement Awards will be presented to Lamar Louise Curry, Class of 1927, a Miami educator who has taught some of our nations most influential citizens, and the College's oldest living alumna; and Lisa Kaiser Hickey of Lakeland, Class of 1979, and a 1995 MBA graduate, the president and CEO of Douglass Screen Printers, Inc., and a tireless advocate for women in business. The Service to Florida Southern Award will be presented to Robert "Bob" Gordon Black of Sun City Center, Class of 1951, who has worked in and taught journalism and public relations for the College throughout his 68-year career.

Also, as Founders Day coincides with the Colleges Homecoming events, members of the Class of 1959 are invited to robe and march in the Convocation procession.