Captain Joe Watkin will become director of Clemson University’s engineering department.
Joe Watkins, who will retire as a captain after 31 years in the Navy, comes to Clemson from the U.S. Naval Academy. He was most recently associate professor and general-engineering program director in the academy’s mechanical engineering department.
Watkins said he expects to begin his new job at Clemson on Aug. 15
“I’m very passionate about educating young men and women about how to think like an engineer,” he said. “This was a great opportunity.”
All students who want to major in engineering at Clemson are admitted to the general engineering program before picking a specific field.
Students take courses that prepare them for the work they will face in upper-level classes and their careers. They are also offered academic advising and career counseling.
Watkins will replace Interim Director Don Beasley.
Anand Gramopadhye, dean of the College of Engineering and Science, said that Clemson has landed a star faculty member.
“Our general engineering program, through world-class engagement experiences, is the cornerstone to creating the next generation of engineers, a vital need of our state and nation,” Gramopadhye said.
“We are truly fortunate to recruit a leader and a top-notch engineer like Capt. Watkins to Clemson.”
Watkins is the founding director of the academy’s Directed Energy Research Center, where he did his laser research. He said that he may continue the research at Clemson once he’s settled in his new job.
Watkins said that Clemson’s vision for its engineering program attracted him to the university.
“It really excited me,” he said. “The university is committing the necessary resources to make it the best school in the nation in engineering. And that is something we sorely need to meet the technological demands of today's society -- more top-quality graduates in engineering fields.
Watkins is a veteran of the Navy’s submarine force, serving in three nuclear submarines from 1983 to 2001. His last afloat tour was as executive officer of USS Louisville, SSN 724.
Watkins was qualified as a nuclear engineer and for command.
Watkins was awarded a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering in 2004. He also holds a Master of Science in astronautical engineering, a Bachelor of Science equivalency in electrical engineering and a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Auburn University.
Watkins will move to the Upstate with Teresa, his wife of 32 years.
They have two adult children. Joseph is a recent graduate of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Sarah is completing her interpreter training program in American Sign Language.