Interview with Dr. Wayne Clough, P.E., NAE, Ph.D., Hon.D.GE, Hon.M.ASCE

April 2010

Clough's first academic position was as an assistant professor at Duke University. He then became a full professor at Stanford University. In 1982, he went to Georgia Tech as a professor of civil engineering and coordinator of the geotechnical programs. In 1990, Clough became dean of the Georgia Tech College of Engineering. In 1993, he moved to provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Washington. In 1994, Clough became the first Tech alumnus to serve as the President of the Institute, succeeding John Patrick Crecine, and was in office during the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 1998, he separated the Ivan Allen College of Management, Policy, and International Affairs into the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and returned the College of Management to "College" status. During his tenure, research expenditures increased from $212 million to $425 million, computers became required for all students, enrollment increased from 13,000 to 18,000 students, Tech received the Hesburgh Award, and Tech's U.S. News & World Report rankings steadily improved.

His tenure was especially focused on a dramatic expansion of the Institute; since he took office, over $900 million has been spent on expanding or improving the campus. These projects include the completion of several west campus dorms, the manufacturing complex, 10th and Home, Technology Square, The Biomedical Complex, the Student Center renovation, the expanded 5th Street Bridge, the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center's renovation into the Campus Recreation Center, the new Health Center, the Klaus Advanced Computing Building, and the (currently under construction) Nanotechnology Research Center. He also spearheaded a revamped Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), and the creation of an International Plan. The students of Georgia Tech affectionately dubbed him "G Wayne" during his presidency in accordance with the expansion and growth he encouraged in urban Atlanta.

On March 15, 2008, Clough announced in an email to students and staff that he would be stepping down as President on July 1, 2008 after nearly fourteen years as President. He left to serve as the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

Clough was named 12th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution on March 15, 2008 at a press conference held at the Smithsonian Castle. Clough assumed office July 1, 2008. Since beginning his new post, Clough has already made plans to digitize the Museum's collections, and offer more intensive K-12 educational programming.

Please share with us on where most of your childhood was spent? What was it like for you growing up there?

WC: Douglas, Georgia. Wonderful small town in rural Georgia where a childhood imagination could roam and woods and swamps were there to be explored. Fortunately, I grew up before TV and loved to read and listen to the radio.

How early on did you know that you wanted to study civil engineering? What were the key factors in your decision to be a civil engineer?

WC: It was in my genes. Always was the leader in building forts and dams over streams.

Did you have other aspirations of going into another discipline or field, other than civil engineering at any point? If so, can you share with us?

WC: Geology.

You have been a President of Georgia Tech University and now the Secretary of the Smithsonian. Of the two do you feel that one is more difficult to manage over the other?

WC: Neither is more difficult, both are challenging, but stimulating. In both you learn and work with people while creating greater possibilities for the institution and the people it serves. I tell folks I moved from being a civil engineer who built large infrastructure to one who builds large institutions.

What is the most challenging aspect as Secretary of the Smithsonian?

WC: Working to realize the enormous possibilities as we enter into an age where digital means allow us to reach all of the people, not just those who come to the museums.

How do you feel about the state of Civil Engineering and the profession as it is today?

WC: I am impressed by what I see in the projects I read about and the new technology being used. I worry about the lack of appreciation of the work done by civil engineers and the paucity of civil engineers who learn enough about the big picture to speak clearly to the public.

What do you feel are the biggest challenges that are on the horizon for the civil engineering profession?

WC: Making sure that the best and the brightest consider civil engineering for their careers.

The Academy of Geo-Professional awarded you as an Honorary Diplomate, Geo-Professional to recognize your life long work in the geo professional as well as in civil engineer. What message do you have to professional engineers out there regarding the importance of specialty certification?

WC: Registration and certification are a means of establishing documentation about the profession and its intent. It speaks to what it means to be a professional. They should be lining up to become certified.