Clayton D. Steadman - 2011
Clayton D. Steadman began his legal career at the Medical College of Georgia where he served as a legal advisor to the president, ultimately becoming vice president for legal affairs. He was hired as general counsel of Clemson in 2004 – described as his dream job – where he was a trusted and integral member of the university’s administrative council.
Clay joined NACUA in 1983 and served on the Board of Directors from 2006-2009. In the intervening years, he was a member of numerous committees, including Member Services, Honors and Awards, Finance and Audit, Legal Education, Nominations and Elections, and Publications. It was on the Publications Committee where Clay truly made his mark, serving as a committee member for seven years – including one year as Vice Chair and one year as Chair. Under his leadership and guidance, NACUA successfully moved from print to electronic publications delivery.
Clay was an active member of NACUA; a frequent speaker and discussion leader at more than a dozen annual conferences and myriad CLE workshops; a contributor to one of NACUA’s first publications, Am I Liable?; and the author of numerous articles and papers, including an article in The Journal of College and University Law.
A graduate of Clemson University and Emory University Law School, Clay was known among his colleagues for his sharp wit, keen intellect, steady hand, unmatched sense of humor, self-deprecation, work ethic, and sincere concern for other people. He will be remembered by his NACUA colleagues as a friend, a superb lawyer, and as someone who modeled the Association’s core values of civility, collegiality, quality, service, and respect.
NACUA is pleased to bestow the Distinguished Service Award posthumously to Clayton D. Steadman for his outstanding and exemplary service to the Association, most especially for his service to the Board of Directors.