Big news from Clemson! The School of Architecture just got a new name and a game-changing gift from the late Richard A. McMahan and his wife, Mary. This historic endowment is set to transform architectural education and foster innovation for generations to come. What kind of groundbreaking projects do you think this will inspire?
Clemson University has announced a transformative new chapter for its renowned School of Architecture, now officially named the Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture. This significant renaming comes as a direct result of an unprecedented philanthropic gift from the late distinguished alumnus Richard “Dick” McMahan and his beloved wife, Mary “Dinky” McMahan, marking a profound investment in the future of architectural education and community engagement.
The generous endowment from the McMahan estate is poised to propel the School of Architecture into its second century with enhanced capabilities and expanded opportunities. This foundational support underscores the enduring impact of alumni and benefactors whose vision helps shape the institution’s trajectory, allowing the school to continue its legacy of innovation, creative design, and commitment to shaping better communities.
Crucially, the Richard A. McMahan endowment will facilitate a myriad of critical initiatives, providing essential funding for daily operations, enriching student and faculty activities, and enabling the school to attract world-renowned experts as design critics and speakers. This financial injection will significantly elevate the overall student experience, foster groundbreaking research dissemination, and strengthen Clemson’s engagement with communities both within South Carolina and across the globe.
Richard A. McMahan, a 1954 graduate, embodied the spirit of Clemson through his extensive involvement in student life, military service, and entrepreneurial success as the founder of McMahan Construction Co. His deep-rooted connection to the university was a family tradition, with generations of McMahans, including his father, brother, son, and daughter-in-law, also graduating from Clemson, reflecting a profound and lasting legacy of support.
The McMahans’ philanthropy extended far beyond this latest gift, mirroring the benevolent spirit of university founders Thomas Green and Anna Calhoun Clemson. Their long-standing commitment included establishing the Richard A. McMahan Presidential Scholarship in 1993 and providing a foundational gift to the Clemson National Scholars program in 2000, illustrating a lifetime devoted to educational advancement and community betterment.
In recognition of his remarkable achievements and servant leadership, Clemson bestowed an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree upon Richard McMahan in 2006. The couple’s generosity also benefited Stetson University, funding scholarships and construction, including Mary B. McMahan Hall. This widespread impact on higher education solidifies their legacy as passionate advocates for academic excellence and community development.
The School of Architecture, with its diverse programs in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Historic Preservation, Resilient Urban Design, and City and Regional Planning, boasts over 70 faculty and staff supporting more than 500 students. Consistently receiving national and international accolades, the school is dedicated to fulfilling the university’s land-grant mission by improving the built environment, a vision perfectly aligned with the McMahans’ desire for a “brilliant light to the world.”
As School Director Jim Stevens, FAIA, Ph.D., remarked, “This gift is emblematic of the support and generosity of the McMahan family and the architecture community at Clemson. This gift will help ensure that we continue the School’s tradition of excellence for the next century of our history.” The naming not only honors a distinguished family but also inspires future generations of students to achieve meaningful, world-changing impact, further cementing Clemson’s position as a leader in design and innovation.
