Hamilton native honored by Obama at White House

Juan Gilbert was given an award for mentoring, research endeavors.

Originally from Hamilton, Dr. Juan Gilbert is a professor at Clemson University in South Carolina and received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring earlier this month.

Contributed photo Originally from Hamilton, Dr. Juan Gilbert is a professor at Clemson University in South Carolina and received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring earlier this month.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Male teachers are rare in elementaries
New 3 min. ago 5/25/12
Fewer taking time off work
New 8 min. ago 5/25/12
Millions spent to curb drunk driving
New 9 min. ago 5/25/12
St. Clair Twp. errors cost taxpayers $9K
New 11 min. ago 5/25/12
Injured Monroe firefighter still at burn unit
Updated 16 min. ago 5/25/12
> More headlines

By Hannah Poturalski, Staff Writer Updated 12:33 AM Monday, January 2, 2012

HAMILTON — A Hamilton native was recently honored during a ceremony by President Barack Obama at the White House.

Juan Gilbert, a professor of computer science at Clemson University in South Carolina, was one of nine people awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. The National Science Foundation administered the award.

Gilbert, 42, was recognized for a number of accomplishments — having mentored one-third of the nation’s African American PhD students in computer science from 2006-09; research in electronic voting resulting in accessible voting interface; testifying in front of Congress for the Electronic Voting Reform Act of 2008; and being named a top African American scholar in 2002 by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, according to his mother Irma Gilbert, who attended the events in Washington, D.C.

“It’s an extremely important endeavor for the nation because if you look throughout history those with technology are the global leaders,” Gilbert said, referencing China and India.

Gilbert said Obama spoke about the importance of increasing research in these realms in order to keep a global competitive edge.

Gilbert is chairman of the Human-Centered Computing Division within the College of Engineering and Science at Clemson.

His graduate-level students identify real world problems, define solutions and build the technology.

Gilbert’s most recent research focuses on voting interface and developing technology to allow those who are blind, without arms, etc. to vote via touch and words.

“I’m graciously proud of the voting thing because I vote,” Irma Gilbert said. “It’s broken down and simplified; there’s no excuse not to vote anymore.”

Earlier this year, Gilbert was selected for a three-year, $4.5 million project funded by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to increase the accessibility of “new, existing and emerging technological solutions” of voting systems, according to Clemson University.

Gilbert attended Harrison Elementary, George Washington Junior High and Hamilton High School. In fourth grade, Gilbert began to love the subjects of math and science and watching science-fiction movies.

“The guy with the lab coat always knew the answers everyone wanted to know,” Gilbert said. “In high school it all came together when coach John Smith (in basketball) encouraged us to be scholar athletes.”

Gilbert earned his bachelor’s degree in systems analysis from Miami University before going on to receive his master’s and doctoral degrees in computer science from University of Cincinnati. He taught for nine years at Auburn University in Alabama before moving to Clemson.

“He never let up and I appreciate him being that way; he got what he wanted,” Irma Gilbert said.

The president honored Juan Gilbert for his dedication to mentoring.

Share this article