2023 Kleinschmidt Recipient

Clifton Ellis, Ph.D.

For over two decades, Professor Dr. Clifton Ellis has been an invaluable member of the Huckabee College of Architecture (HCOA). As an architectural historian his role grew from an assistant professor to a tenured associate professor, and in 2011 he was named the Elizabeth Sasser Professor of Architectural History. Dr. Ellis was promoted to full professor in 2020. He has also served in the administration of the college, first as chair of instruction, then associate dean of academics, and most recently as associate dean of research and innovation.

Dr. Ellis holds four degrees, and his research focuses on the architecture and material culture of the colonial and antebellum South. During his career, he has co-authored two publications and he is currently developing his third book. Ellis has a long list of peer reviewed research, published articles, and conference presentations. He has received numerous teaching awards while at Texas Tech University (TTU), including the TTU Global Scholarship for the 21st Century Award, an award conferred upon faculty who demonstrate exemplary leadership in study abroad programs. He was twice awarded the Barney E. Rushing Award for Outstanding Research and the President's Excellence in Teaching Award, two of the most prestigious honors that TTU confers on its faculty, as well as the Michael Jones Faculty Excellence Award from the Huckabee College of Architecture.