James Frazier Barker was born on May 1, 1947, in Kingsport, Tennessee. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture from Clemson in 1970 and his Master of Architecture and Urban Design degree in 1973 from Washington University in St. Louis. Following graduation, Barker taught as an assistant professor of architecture at the University of Tennessee before moving to Mississippi State University in 1974. In 1984 he became dean of Architecture at Mississippi State and served in that position until 1986, when he accepted the position of dean of Architecture at Clemson University. After a reorganization of the university in 1995, Barker served as dean of the College of Architecture, Arts, and Humanities until October 1999 when he was selected as president. Barker was inaugurated as Clemson’s 14th president in April 2000 and served in that capacity until December 2013.

During Barker’s presidency, Clemson added more than 48,000 alumni; set records for student SAT scores, retention and graduation rates; launched the Academic Success Center; and raised more than $1 billion in private funding. Research expenditures surpassed the $100 million a year mark, and more than 1,400,000 square feet of space was constructed or renovated on and off campus. Barker spearheaded major economic development initiatives including the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research in Greenville, the Clemson University Restoration Institute in north Charleston, and the Advanced Materials Center in Anderson. Barker also led Clemson through a period of deep state funding cuts, which reduced administrative and staff positions by nearly twelve percent, without layoffs. The “One Clemson” that Barker advocated harnessed the competitive, determined spirit of the Clemson family to becoming one of the top twenty-five public universities as ranked in the US News and World Report Guide to America’s Best Colleges. Other periodical publications such as Kiplinger’s, Smart Money, and Bloomberg Businessweek recognized Clemson University for its value, affordability and return on investment.

As a leading spokesman for higher education, Barker served for four years on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors (three of them as Chair), and chaired the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Barker delivered numerous public speeches on the topic of the knowledge economy, most notably a keynote address at CU-ICAR on best practices in science and technology parks (Washington, DC, 2009), and a speech to the Society for College and University Planning on planning spaces that foster creativity (Charleston, 2010). Barker is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, the Institute for Urban Design, and previous president of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

Barker received numerous awards, including the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor given by the State of South Carolina; honorary doctorates from MUSC, USC and SC State; the Distinguished Alumnus Award given by Washington University; and the National Distinguished Professor Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.

Barker married the former Marcia Dean (also from Kingsport) in 1969. Marcia attended Winthrop University for three years, but completed her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education at Georgia State University in 1972. She taught at and was director of Fort Hill Preschool for the ten years prior to becoming First Lady. Barker and Marcia have two sons, Britt and Jacob.

Sources used: CU media release, “Barker to Retire as Clemson President, Return to Architecture Faculty,” 4/16/2013; Greenville News “Barker Takes Reins at Clemson,” 4/8/2000; Anderson Independent-Mail “Barker Era Begins at Clemson University,” 4/8/2000; Seneca Journal “Board to Interview Three Final Candidates in the Search to Replace Curris,” 10/2/1999; Beaufort Gazette “Clemson President Banks on School Allegiance,” 10/11/1999; Anderson Independent-Mail “Hail to the Chief: James Barker is Ready to Lead Clemson,” 11/7/1995; Clemson World “Orange Rose,” 8/24/2013; Anderson Independent-Mail “Jim Barker Looks Back at His Time Navigating Clemson through Challenges, Triumphs,” 12/2/2013.