Clyburn pledges continued support for SC State’s growing research mission

Author: Dionne Gleaton/Senior Writer|Published: September 01, 2026|All News, Faculty & Staff News

SC State President Alexander Conyers discusses SC State's research capacity with U.S. Rep. James E. Clyburn on Aug. 28 as the congressman tours the STEM complex named in his honor.

Visiting STEM complex named in his honor, Clyburn sees firsthand how federal support, partnerships are advancing SC State's R2 research mission

ORANGEBURG, S.C. - U.S. Rep. James E. Clyburn sees South Carolina State University building momentum in research and creating opportunities for students, and the loyal alumnus says he is committed to helping the university build on that progress.

Clyburn said his support for SC State is rooted in his belief in the opportunities the university provides students who might not otherwise have them.

"My father was denied a high school education in this state. He grew up in Kershaw County not able to go to high school because the state of South Carolina did not provide high school for Blacks beyond the seventh grade in his county. That's what keeps me moving every day," Clyburn said.

U.S. Rep James E. Clyburn looks up at SC State's Engineering and Computer Science Complex (shown above), which was recently renamed in his honor. "Those experiences drive me. So I'm here today to further that. I don't know how much longer I've got in Congress. But I expect to have at least two more years if the voters don't go crazy on November 3. In those two years, I'm going to devote all my time to helping solidify the foundation that this school is built upon," Clyburn said.

Clyburn made the comments during an Aug. 28 visit to SC State, where he toured the James E. Clyburn Engineering and Computer Science Complex and spoke with professors and university officials about engineering research and current sponsored projects.

James E. Clyburn Engineering and Computer Science Complex SC State dedicated the newly renamed complex in Clyburn's honor Aug. 5.

"So far, so good. I think that today has sort of crystallized some things for me and brought some things a little more into focus," Clyburn said of the tour.

Building research partnerships

Clyburn was joined during the visit by Dr. Johney Green, director of Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) and president and chief executive officer of Battelle Savannah River Alliance LLC (BSRA).

As a member of the Battelle Savannah River Alliance, SC State works closely with other institutions in support of SRNL. The state recently awarded SC State $8 million to take STEM education and research to a new level in support of that effort.

The Research Partnerships and Workforce Training Programs are a partnership among SC State, the University of South Carolina (USC) and Clemson University in support of SRNL and the Battelle Savannah River Alliance (BSRA). The programs' objective is to provide a talent pipeline for SRNL and coursework to support professional development for the site's existing workforce.

"We have a tight and close partnership with South Carolina State. We've got research partnerships related to environmental science, and we're also trying to expand in manufacturing and other areas. So we want to do everything we can to be more integrated with South Carolina State and advance the objectives of the R2 designation and try to enhance that and keep that going," Green said.

SC State has achieved designation as a Research 2 (R2) institution, meaning it spends at least $5 million on research and awards at least 20 research doctorates annually.

SC State exceeded both criteria in 2023, devoting $7.8 million to research and awarding 25 doctoral degrees. The designation qualifies the university for more grants and sponsored programs.

"Today is a big day as we continue our march to cement our place in the Research 2 arena within the country. Certainly, it's an honor to be one of only 13 R2 HBCUs in the country and one of only 131 R2 universities in the entire United States," SC State President Alexander Conyers said.

"With that comes additional opportunities, and with that comes challenges, especially to sustain that designation, but we know by being an R2 institution, it has opened us up for many more opportunities," said Conyers.

The president thanked Clyburn for his help in securing a $30 million federal appropriation for continued research into, for example, nuclear engineering and transportation.

Nuclear engineering in focus

SC State offers the only four-year nuclear engineering degree in the state and the only such program at an HBCU in the U.S.

Dr. Musa Danjaji, chairman of the Department of Engineering and professor of engineering and computer science at SC State, also serves as academic coordinator for the nuclear engineering program.

He took Clyburn on a tour of engineering and research labs, including the university's NuScale Energy Exploration (E2) Center, a simulated control room that mirrors the operation of a real advanced nuclear power plant and gives students the opportunity for immersive, hands-on training in nuclear systems and plant operations.

SC State is home to one of only 12 such centers in the world and one of only nine in the nation. It is the only one in South Carolina.

"We wanted the congressman to be fully aware that students are benefitting from the funding that he provides to SC State. These students in turn go off and be a part of the workforce in nuclear engineering space," Conyers said.

The president said the university also plans to work with Green to "explore additional partnerships with the Battelle Alliance."