Charles V. Privette Named Permanent Chair of Agricultural Sciences Department
Staff Report From South Carolina CEO
Thursday, June 14th, 2018
Charles V. Privette III, an agricultural engineering professor who was interim chair of Clemson University’s agricultural sciences department and has filled roles in teaching, research and Extension during his 20-year Clemson career, has been named permanent chair of the department.
Agricultural sciences is one of five departments in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences and features academic and research programs in agricultural education, agricultural mechanization and business, agribusiness, and applied economics and statistics.
Privette hopes to continue fostering a multidisciplinary approach to fulfilling the department’s mission to produce relevant research and graduates prepared to make a difference in a growing South Carolina and global agribusiness industry.
“I view our programs as part of one body, and I view my role as ensuring our programs work together to achieve success in teaching, research and Extension, and in serving the citizens of South Carolina,” Privette said.
Privette earned his Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of South Carolina and his Master of Science in biosystems engineering and Bachelor of Science in agricultural engineering from Clemson University. He has taught an array of classes, including hydrology and sedimentology, geomeasurements, fluid dynamics, senior capstone design, irrigation design and land surveying.
His research focuses on various aspects of the hydrologic cycle and the effects of land use changes on surface soil moisture, surface water runoff and water quality. Some current research projects include: real-time monitoring of road construction on the water quality assessment, modeling urban growth and its impacts on both water quantity and quality, developing best management practices for SCDOT on turbidity control, remote sensing of surface soil moisture using reflected satellite signals and monitoring surface runoff from agricultural fields for nutrients and pesticides.
Privette also served for six years as a farm safety specialist with Clemson Cooperative Extension.
Privette has also won numerous teaching awards, including the Carl M. Lund Professor of the Year for Outstanding Teaching, Clemson University Board of Trustees Award for Faculty Excellence and Clemson University Board of Trustees Award for Staff Excellence.
“Charles has done an outstanding job in every role he has filled during his Clemson career, and he has demonstrated a clear vision and exemplary leadership skills during his time as interim chair of Agricultural Sciences. I am confident the department will continue to flourish under his leadership,” said Timothy Boosinger, interim dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences.