FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (01-04-07)
Contacts:
Jackie Maryak, Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy, 706-828-2109
Debbie Dalhouse, Clemson University , 864-656-6737

SOUTHEASTERN NATURAL SCIENCES ACADEMY PRESIDENT
JOINS CLEMSON UNIVERSITY RESTORATION INSTITUTE

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – January 4 – Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy President and CEO Dr. Gene Eidson has been named to lead environmental efforts at Clemson University ’s Restoration Institute. Dr. Eidson, a nationally recognized environmental educator and restoration ecologist, and founder of Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy, will join Clemson January 15 as professor of biological sciences. Dr. Eidson will continue to serve as Academy President, and a search will begin for a scientist to serve as the Academy’s Director. “We are delighted to attract a scientist with Gene Eidson’s accomplishments,” said John Kelly , vice president for public service and agriculture at Clemson, who is leading efforts to establish the Restoration Institute. “… He has an impressive track record of attracting investments to enhance research and graduate education. He fully understands how to integrate the natural environment with economic development.”

Through this appointment, the Academy and Clemson will strengthen their academic affiliation to enhance ecology-based research and educational opportunities. The Academy’s scientific staff currently teaches restoration ecology courses for Clemson undergraduate and graduate students, mentors summer interns, and directs undergraduate and graduate research associated with the Academy’s watershed-based research and restoration programs. Through this enhanced collaboration, the Academy will partner with Clemson to address complex environmental challenges through public-private partnerships and expand undergraduate and graduate teaching and research programs through shared faculty resources. Clemson will evaluate the Academy’s award-winning K-12 environmental education and diverse outreach programs as working models for community-based programs.

The Academy will continue its existing operations and programs and, according to Dr. Eidson, “We expect the Clemson partnership will greatly accelerate the Academy’s vision of becoming a regional science institution and provide significant economic development opportunities for the CSRA by leveraging existing local Academy support with Clemson’s university status and diverse academic and scientific resources.” The Restoration Institute will bring together vast resources to address complex environmental challenges facing the region, enhance Clemson’s sustainable environmental emphasis, and build a multi-disciplinary program to support collaborative environmental research.