TO CONGRATULATE dr. George R. 
Askew
, Jr. UPON THE
OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS many YEARS OF DEDICATED
SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
Whereas, the members of
the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Dr. George R. Askew, Jr.
upon the occasion of his retirement from the College of Agriculture, Forestry
and Life Sciences at Clemson University; and
Whereas, Dr. Askew
earned his PhD in Agronomy in 1981 from Clemson University, where he also
matriculated for his Bachelor of Science in Forest Management and Master of
Science in Forestry; and
Whereas, Dr. Askew began
his career with Clemson University as a forest geneticist and assistant
professor stationed at the Belle W. Baruch Forest Science Institute in
Georgetown. In 1985, he was promoted to associate professor and institute
director. In 1991, he advanced to professor of forestry and became the first
director of the newly-formed Belle W. Baruch Institute for Coastal Ecology and
Forest Science; and
Whereas, in 2002, Dr.
Askew was named interim director of the Clemson University Pee Dee Research and
Education Center in Florence. A year later he was appointed permanent director.
In 2004, he began serving as regional director for a twelve-county extension service
program; and
Whereas, during Dr.
Askew's tenure at the Pee Dee REC, he led the plan to reposition the REC to
provide expanded research in advanced plant technologies, enabling improved row
crop output and new crop development. The results of the initiative were
recognized by the university and the South Carolina Legislature, which approved
a recurring two-million-dollar appropriation to fund ten faculty positions and six
technicians at the REC to focus on advanced plant technologies; and
Whereas, Dr. Askew
moved to the main Clemson campus in 2007 when he was promoted to interim associate
director of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Experiment Station and
Extension. A year later he was made associate director of the Experiment
Station and Associate Dean for Agriculture and Natural Resources. In 2009, he
was named chief operating officer of the Clemson University Experiment Station;
and
Whereas, in 2011, Dr.
Askew was named associate vice president for Public Service and Agriculture and
director of the Experiment Station. In 2014, he was named vice president for
Public Service and Agriculture by President Jim Clements. He continued to serve
as the Experiment Station Director; and
Whereas, as the vice president,
he represents the four public service units, including Experiment Station,
Extension, Regulatory Services, and Livestock and Poultry Health, as well as
Clemson's agriculture and natural resources programs in strategic planning and
general university governance; and
Whereas, a leader in
his field, Dr. Askew was asked to serve as the dean for the College of
Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences in 2015. As dean, he was responsible
for the administration of six departments within the college including
teaching, research, and outreach activities; and
Whereas, a civic
leader, Dr. Askew has served with many community organizations, including serving
as secretary-treasurer, vice chairman, chairman, and member of the board of the
Society of American Foresters, the Biometrics Society, and the Xi Sigma Pi
Forestry Honor Society, among other honor societies; and
Whereas, the members of
the South Carolina Senate appreciate the passion and dedication that Dr. Askew
has shown in serving the people and the State of South Carolina. Now,
therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Dr. George
R. Askew, Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement, commend him for his many years
of dedicated service, and wish him much happiness and fulfillment in the years
ahead.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this
resolution be presented to Dr. George R. Askew, Jr.
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