COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Timothy R. Keown, director of the SC Governor’s School for Agriculture and a native of Iva, SC, was awarded a PhD in Education Leadership by Clemson University at recent graduation ceremonies, reports John W. Parris, director of the SC Agri-News Service.

Dr. Keown has previously earned BS and MS degrees in Agricultural Education from Clemson. He has also received the Education Specialist Certification. The SC Governor’s School for Agriculture is located at the John de la Howe facilities in McCormick County.

“Dr. Keown began his career as an Agri-science and technology teacher at Creek Bridge and Crescent High Schools. He also served as advisor to the FFA and Young Farmer programs at those schools before being named associate state director of Agricultural Education by Clemson University. Additionally, he served as executive director of the South Carolina Young Farmer and Agribusiness Association,” Mr. Parris said.

Dr. Keown has received numerous awards including Young Agricultural Education Teacher in South Carolina, SCACTE’s School Administrator of the Year, Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences Young Alumni of the Year, the Anderson INDEPENDENT newspaper’s ‘Top Twenty Leader Under 40’ in the Upstate and the Outstanding Advisor of the South Carolina Young Farmer and Agribusiness Association.

This article was submitted by John W. Parris. Mr. Parris, a 1958 graduate of Clemson University, is director of the SC Agri-News Service. He is a legendary agriculture educator in South Carolina who has served as executive director of the State Land Resources Commission and executive secretary of the South Carolina FFA Association, among other distinguished positions.