In Memoriam: Governor William P. Clements
April 13, 1917 - May, 29, 2011

Former Texas Governor William P. Clements was fascinated with the American Southwest and the borderlands. In 1995 he embraced the idea of starting a research center at SMU that would advance scholarship in this region. His support materialized in two ways: the creation of the Clements Center for Southwest Studies and the creation of a Ph.D. program in the History Department that would prepare future scholars to deepen our understanding of the region. In 1996 the Clements Center opened its doors, and in 1998 the History Department welcomed the first Ph.D. students.

Governor Clements was the founder of SEDCO, one of the world’s largest drilling contractors. He was U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense (1973–76) and served twice as governor of Texas (1979–83 and 1987–91), the first Republican governor since Reconstruction. His ties to SMU extend over many years. Among his generous gifts, he made it possible for SMU to acquire and sustain a summer campus at Fort Burgwin, near Taos, New Mexico. then in the summer of 2008, with his wife Rita, he gave a gift to SMU for a new student center and housing at Fort Burgwin.  From this significant historical and archaeological location to the development of young scholars in the History Department, to the scholarly research, publishing, and programs of the Clements Center for Southwest Studies, the governor’s dream continues to come true.

For more information on Governor Clements, please see Texian to his Toenails by Carolyn Barta.