March 29, 1972
At the Wade Hampton Hotel in Columbia, South Carolina,the Clemson University Board of Trustees meets to discuss the future of Clemson, as they do annually. In this particular meeting, those Trustee members call for a “Reorganization of the Social Science’s Department” by July 1st of 1972. Reorganization of the department was initially addressed in 1969 with the creation of the College of Liberal Arts. The specifics of the reorganization were not included within the official minutes document, but the official notice of the action was given, as shown below.
July 1, 1972
The Political Science and Sociology is officially created as discussed in March of 1972.
June 11, 1973
The 1st annual Robert A Taft Institute of Government seminar is held at Clemson University. The program lasts 10 days and allows for over 30 secondary educators to learn directly from political leaders from local, state, and national offices. The Taft seminar continues on at Clemson University and has occurred in several years since, offering its services to local educators.
Fall 1973
The first edition and volume of The Journal of Political Science is published. Dr. Marty Slann, Associate Political Science professor, is the Head Editor of the journal and he features multiple Clemson University faculty throughout his time as editor. Clemson University maintained the journal's publication for almost 30 years until its move to Coastal Carolina in 2009.
July 1, 1974
The official start of the Political Science Department at Clemson University. This is the official transition from the “Sociology and Political Science Department” to a sole Political Science Department”.
The staff for Fall 1974 and Spring 1975 are:
- C.W. Dunn (Associate Professor and Head of Department)
- H.E. Albert (Associate Professor)
- E.M. Coulter (Associate Professor)
- M.R. Pilo (Instructor)
- H.W. Fleming, Jr. (Associate Professor)
- W.H. Owens, Jr. (Associate Professor)
- Mary R. Martz (Associate Professor)
- M.W. Slann (Associate Professor)
- J.E. Tuttle (Associate Professor)
- Mickey R. Cline (Visiting Instructor)
Fall 1975
The Model United Nations Program is officially offered to Political Science Students for 1 credit hour. At this point in time, the Model UN team begins to travel to Harvard yearly for their Model UN Summit. This extracurricular continues at Clemson today and is nationally recognized.
Spring 1976
Clemson University is officially recognized by the Political Science National Honors Society, Pi Sigma Alpha. Clemson’s chapter, Eta Lambda is still active and initiating members today.
November 11, 1998
Clemson Student Government votes the Political Science Program the "Best Major on Campus" in their “Student Government Speaks” section of The Tiger.
Fall 2006
The Official Start of the Study Abroad Program hosted by the Political Science Department in tandem with the University of Belgrade.
Fall 2018
Fall 2021
The Political Science Department starts to offer the M.P.A, a Masters in Public Administration.
September 6, 2024
Celebration for the 50th Anniversary of the Political Science Department at Clemson University.