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Associate Professor Robert M. Kimmel joined the Clemson faculty in 1999 after 30-plus years in technical, marketing and business development at Hoechst Celanese. Kimmel currently is director of the campus Center for Flexible Packaging, a teacher emphasizing discovery-based learning and a researcher focused on innovative packaging materials. He will continue as director of the center.

Kimmel impressed faculty members and administrators of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, in which the department is located, with his extensive background in strategic planning and vision for leading the department.

"I am honored to be selected," said Kimmel. "My goals for the department focus on balanced growth of our academic, research and public service areas. A priority will be to encourage undergraduate and graduate students to pursue this exciting field. Packaging science offers tremendous career potential and holds promise to expand economic growth in South Carolina."

Clemson is one of six American universities offering a four-year program leading to a bachelor's degree in packaging science. It continues to boast greater than 95 percent placement of its graduates into the packaging industry.

Kimmel holds B.S., M.S., Materials Engineer and Sc.D. degrees in materials engineering, all from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research and education concentrated on fibers and polymers, with emphasis in polymer physics.