Chris Przirembel calls decision “bittersweet”

By Anna Simon
Clemson bureau

CLEMSON _ Chris Przirembel, Clemson University’s vice president for research and economic development and a driving force behind Clemson’s International Center for Automotive Research in Greenville and other initiatives, will retire in April.

“There is a time when you look at the life cycle,” said Przirembel, 67, who plans to stay in the Upstate and active in economic development, on boards and in professional societies. After more than 40 years in higher education, he wants more family time - particularly with his grandchildren.

After an “incredibly satisfying” career, the decision is “bittersweet,” Przirembel said.

Przirembel, who came to the United States as a child fleeing war-torn Europe and spoke no English, joined Clemson from Rutgers University in 1981 to head mechanical engineering.

He “has become a true Clemson legend,” said Clemson President James Barker, in a campus e-mail. “He has touched thousands of lives as teacher, mentor and tireless advocate for new knowledge and innovation.”

Without him, “There would probably be no CU-ICAR, no Advanced Materials Research Lab and very few Centers of Economic Excellence endowed chairs,” Barker said.

Karen Burg, interim vice provost for research and innovation, remembers how Przirembel “had an open door and was truly interested in what would make (new faculty) successful in research.”

John Ballato, vice president for research and economic development, credits Przirembel with moving Clemson from just doing research to “research that has tangible economic benefits.”

Under Przirembel’s leadership, Clemson exceeded a 10-year goal of $100 million in annual sponsored research in three years and surpassed a new $150 million a year goal in 2008, yet his motivation is knowledge, not dollars.

In a 2001 faculty convocation address shortly after being named to his current position, he warned against preoccupation with “dollarship” rather than scholarship, saying, “A university is first and foremost a community of scholars and its primary mission is to educate students.”

Reaching the $150 million goal, Przirembel congratulated faculty and graduate student researchers on “the value their work will ultimately provide.”

Przirembel’s parents stressed the importance of education. It’s “been the key to unlocking the very best that this country has to offer,” he said. “I believe it can be the key for many others as well.”

Clemson now begins a national search for a vice president for research, Barker said.

Provost Dori Helms will head the search committee. The position will be restructured to focus on research, Barker said. Economic development responsibilities move to John Kelly, vice president for Public Service Activities, placing economic development initiatives under one organization, Barker said.

“There is only one Chris Przirembel. If we search for someone who has both substantial economic development and research experience, I am afraid the pool will be very small,” Barker said.

Przirembel’s influence extends beyond Clemson. Ben Haskew, Greenville Chamber president, called him “an economic development visionary.”

Hal Johnson, president of the Upstate Alliance, a Greenville-based regional economic development group, called him “a champion of many economic development initiatives across this region and state.”

Przirembel said he plans to stay involved. “I’m looking at changes in direction but not in activity level,” he said.