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Breaking new ground at SMU-in-Taos: gifts will support classes year-round

 

From VisionSMU newsletter

For former Texas Governor William P. Clements, Jr. (’39) and his wife, Rita, Texas is home, but northern New Mexico holds a special place in their hearts.

When he was chair of SMU’s Board of Governors in 1964, Bill Clements helped SMU begin to acquire the property that became SMU-in-Taos, and he and Rita have continued to support its development through the years. So, when the opportunity came to launch improvements in facilities at the northern New Mexico campus, the longtime SMU supporters responded in a way that reflects their love of SMU and its Taos campus – with a significant donation.

SMU-in-Taos “has been a unique addition to the University, providing a completely different environment both academically and physically,” Clements said.

The Clements’ new $4 million gift for SMU-in-Taos is the latest in a long history of support from the couple.

“Bill Clements has played a major role in the development of SMU-in-Taos over the past four decades,” President R. Gerald Turner said. “We are grateful for his early vision of the Taos program and his and Rita’s generous support.”

Begun in July, enhancements will include new and renovated student and faculty housing, state-of-the-art technology and a new student center. The improvements will make facilities useable in all seasons, enabling fall semester classes to be offered for the first time. Additional funds are being sought for the planned improvements.

The goal is to accommodate 70 students for a fall semester starting in 2009, in addition to spring and summer terms. About 300 students now participate in summer courses. Other donors have given more than $850,000 to support the student-housing portion of the project. They include Dallasites Roy and Janis Coffee, Richard T. (’61) and Jenny Mullen, Caren H. Prothro and Steve (’70) and Marcy (’69) Sands; Jo Ann Geurin Pettus (’69) of Graham, Texas; and Richard Ware (’68) and William J. Ware (’02) of Amarillo, Texas.

To learn about supporting SMU-in-Taos, please contact Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs Mark Petersen at 214-768-3223 or petersen@smu.edu.