G. Wayne Clough facts for kids
Gerald Wayne Clough, born in 1941, is an American engineer and educator. He led two very important organizations: the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) and the Smithsonian Institution. He was the first student who graduated from Georgia Tech to become its president.
A building at Georgia Tech, the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons, is named after him. He has also received many awards and special honors throughout his career.
Quick facts for kids
Gerald Wayne Clough
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Clough in 2008
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| 12th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution | |
| In office July 2008 – December 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Lawrence M. Small |
| Succeeded by | David J. Skorton |
| 10th President of the Georgia Institute of Technology | |
| In office 1994–2008 |
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| Preceded by | John Crecine |
| Succeeded by | George P. Peterson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 24, 1941 Douglas, Georgia, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Anne Robinson (deceased) |
| Education | Georgia Institute of Technology (BS, MS) University of California, Berkeley (PhD) |
| Known for | Civil engineering (geotechnical and earthquake engineering) |
| Awards | Norman Medals (1987, 1996) George Westinghouse Award (1986) National Science Board (2004) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Civil engineering |
| Institutions | |
| Thesis | Finite element analyses of soil-structures interaction in U-frame locks (1969) |
| Doctoral advisor | James M. Duncan |
| Other academic advisors | Aleksandar S. Vesic |
| Doctoral students | Jean-Lou Chameau |
Contents
Early Life and Education
Clough was born on September 24, 1941, in Douglas, Georgia. He was the youngest of three children. His parents ran a local ice and coal plant.
Later, his family moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee. There, Clough attended City High School. He also met his future wife, Anne Olivia Robinson, at this time. They had two children, Eliza and Matthew.
College Years
Clough started at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in 1959. He earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1964. While studying, he was part of a special program where students worked in their field. He worked as a surveyor for a railroad company.
Clough was also a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He lived in their house for a short time. He first planned to only get a bachelor's degree. However, his teachers encouraged him to continue. He then earned his master's degree in civil engineering in 1965.
In 1969, Clough received his Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) in civil engineering. He earned this from the University of California, Berkeley. His Ph.D. research focused on how soil and structures interact.
Career in Engineering and Education
After getting his doctorate, Clough began teaching. He started as a professor at Duke University in 1969. In 1974, he moved to Stanford University. There, he became an associate professor and later a full professor.
In 1982, he joined Virginia Tech. He was a civil engineering professor and led their Civil Engineering Department for seven years. By 1990, Clough became the dean of the Virginia Tech College of Engineering. He continued his research and taught graduate students while also managing the college.
Research Focus
Clough's research mainly focused on geotechnical engineering. This field studies the behavior of earth materials. His work included:
- Studying how structures behave during earthquakes.
- Using computer models for analysis.
- Understanding how soil and structures interact.
- Testing soil in its natural place.
- Studying underground tunnels and openings.
In 1993, he became a provost at the University of Washington. A provost is a senior academic leader. Clough also helped start the United States Universities Council of Geotechnical Engineering Research (USUCGER). He was its first president.
Leading Georgia Tech
On September 1, 1994, Clough became the president of Georgia Institute of Technology. He was the first former student to lead the university. He was president when Atlanta hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics.
During his time, he made big changes to the university's structure. For example, he separated some colleges to make them independent again.
Growth and Expansion
Under Clough's leadership, Georgia Tech grew a lot.
- Money spent on research increased from $212 million to $425 million.
- Computers became a requirement for all students.
- The number of students grew from 13,000 to 18,000.
- Georgia Tech received awards for its teaching.
- Its rankings in U.S. News & World Report steadily got better.
Clough focused on expanding the campus. Over $1 billion was spent on new buildings and improvements. These projects included:
- New student dorms.
- A manufacturing complex.
- Technology Square.
- The Biomedical Complex.
- Renovations to the Student Center.
- The Georgia Tech Campus Recreation Center.
- The Klaus Advanced Computing Building.
- The Nanotechnology Research Center.
He also started programs for students. These included research opportunities for undergraduate students. He also created a fund to help students from low-income families afford Georgia Tech. Students at Georgia Tech sometimes called him "Funk Masta G. Wayne." He was known for being friendly and having a distinctive beard.
Clough stepped down as president on July 1, 2008. He had served for almost fourteen years.
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution
On March 14, 2008, Gerald Wayne Clough was chosen as the 12th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian is a famous group of museums and research centers in the United States. He officially started his new role on July 1, 2008.
Goals and Changes
When he became Secretary, Clough had big plans. He wanted to:
- Digitize the Smithsonian's huge collections. This means making digital copies of items so more people can see them online.
- Offer more educational programs for students from kindergarten to 12th grade.
- Improve the Smithsonian's buildings and plan for its future.
In November 2008, for the first time, the Smithsonian opened a board meeting to the public. This made the institution more transparent.
Retirement
After six years as Secretary, Clough announced his retirement on September 18, 2013. His retirement became official in October 2014. He said he felt it was the right time to leave. He believed the Smithsonian had made great progress in digital technology, conservation, education, and fundraising.
Awards and Honors
Clough has received many awards throughout his career. Early on, he earned two Norman Medals. He also received the George Westinghouse Award for his work in engineering education.
In 1990, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. This is a very high honor for engineers. He was recognized for developing new ways to design and analyze soil-structure problems.
Recognitions and Degrees
In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed him to the President's Council of Science and Technology. This group advises the President on science and technology issues. In 2004, he was appointed to the National Science Board. This board oversees the National Science Foundation.
Also in 2004, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave him an award for his contributions to education. The University of California, Berkeley College of Engineering also honored him.
In 2008, Clough became an honorary member of the ANAK Society, a secret society at Georgia Tech. In October 2008, he received the Arthur M. Bueche Award for his leadership in science and engineering policy. In 2009, he received the Joseph M. Pettit Alumni Distinguished Service Award for his service to Georgia Tech. He was also inducted into the Technology Hall of Fame of Georgia.
Clough has received eight honorary Doctor of Science degrees from different universities. These include Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Oglethorpe University, and Williams College. In 2010, he became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
In 2010, during a ceremony for the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons building, he was named President Emeritus of Georgia Tech. This means he holds the title of president for life. The G. Wayne Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons building was dedicated on his birthday in 2011. In May 2011, he received the Foreign Policy Association Medal.
Images for kids
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Clough in 2008
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The Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons in 2010.
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Clough at a student meeting in 2005.
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Clough at an event in 2013.
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The Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons building.
