Clemson announces the Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture

Clemson University unveiled the new name of its School of Architecture in an event yesterday held at the College Architecture, Art and Construction on the University’s main campus.

Thanks to an unprecedented gift from the late Richard “Dick” McMahan ’54, HD ’06, a distinguished alumnus, and his wife, the late Mary “Dinky” McMahan, the School is now known as the Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture. As the School embarks on its second century, its new name reflects the deep investment and impact of the alumni and supporters of the University.

“You may have heard the question before of ‘What is in a name? What does a name mean?’ And I can tell you that without a doubt the Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture is a name of honor,” said Clemson University President Jim Clements. “It is a name that upholds our University values. And it is a name that honors the Will of Thomas Green Clemson and our mission of education, research and service.”

The Richard A. McMahan endowment will facilitate multiple critical initiatives in the School of Architecture. This endowment will provide funding for operations, student and faculty activities and allow Clemson to attract national and international experts as design critics and speakers. The funding will elevate the student experience, provide opportunities for our faculty to disseminate and exhibit their research and further Clemson’s ability to engage with communities in South Carolina and beyond.

The McMahans have followed in the path set by Thomas Green and Anna Calhoun Clemson by providing for Clemson University in their estate. Long-time supporters of the University, the McMahans previously established the Richard A. McMahan Presidential Scholarship in 1993, provided a foundational gift to the Clemson National Scholars program in 2000, and their estate plans expanded their support of South Carolina’s only School of Architecture.