Clemson University is pleased to unveil a new name for its School of Architecture, thanks to an unprecedented gift from the late Richard “Dick” McMahan ’54, HD ’06, a distinguished alumnus, and his beloved wife Mary “Dinky” McMahan. As the school of architecture embarks on its second century, its new name reflects the deep investment and impact of the alumni and supporters of our University. The Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture will carry forward countless legacies who have utilized their Clemson education and experiences to creatively and collaboratively design and build structures that not just serve a purpose but create better communities, improve health and environmental outcomes, and drive change and innovation across the industry.
The McMahans have followed in the path set by Thomas Green and Anna Calhoun Clemson by providing significantly for Clemson in their estate. Long-time supporters of Clemson, the McMahans previously established the Richard A. McMahan Presidential Scholarship in 1993. Their investment in our University extended further with 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.
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 faculty to disseminate and exhibit their research and further Clemson’s ability to engage with communities in South Carolina and beyond.
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. 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.”
James P. Clements, Ph.D.
President, Clemson University
About the McMahans
During his time at Clemson, McMahan ’54 was actively involved in numerous student organizations, from ROTC to student government and serving as the TAPS yearbook editor. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army before founding McMahan Construction Co., a business that grew into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. He married Mary “Dinky” McMahan, a Georgia native who attended Georgia State Women’s College (now Valdosta State University), in 1957. Together, they moved to DeLand, Florida, where Dinky became an active businesswoman and philanthropist. She owned Main Street Travel and served on the boards of Stetson School of Music and the Florida International Festival.
The McMahans have been ardent supporters of both Clemson and Stetson Universities, funding scholarships and construction projects, including Stetson’s Mary B. McMahan Hall. In 2006, Clemson recognized Richard McMahan’s remarkable achievements with an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree, further cementing his legacy of servant leadership. Beyond his professional accomplishments, McMahan was fueled by passion for giving back to the Clemson community through scholarships, faculty development and other academic support initiatives within the School of Architecture.
McMahan had strong family ties to Clemson University. His brother, Jefferson D. McMahan III ’51, and his father, Jefferson D. McMahan Jr. ’23, were also Clemson graduates, as were his son, Michael T. McMahan P.E. ’77, and Michael’s wife, Patricia L. McMahan ’77. The McMahan family’s generational connection to Clemson reflects a lasting tradition of support and involvement. Through the name and work of the Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture, the McMahans’ deep-rooted love and generosity for the Clemson Family will be celebrated and remembered for generations to come.
About the School of Architecture
The School of Architecture, anchored by over 70 faculty and staff who support more than 500 students in the pursuit of their studies in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Historic Preservation, Resilient Urban Design and City and Regional Planning, is over 100 years old. Students, faculty and programs regularly receive national and international recognition and awards.
All of the School of Architecture programs strive to fulfill the University’s land-grant mission by engaging with the state’s citizens to improve the built environment. This is yet another way that the McMahans’ vision falls in step with the Clemsons, who sought to build an education system in South Carolina that would be “a blessing to her people, and a brilliant light to the world” (Thomas Green Clemson, November 12, 1869). With its new name, the Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture adds even more brilliance to that light, and Clemson’s star shines all the brighter.
“We are proud to be named the Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture,” remarked Clemson University’s School of Architecture Director Jim Stevens, FAIA, Ph.D. “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.”
About the College of Architecture, Art and Construction
This will be the second named academic unit for the College of Architecture, Art and Construction. In 2019, a generous gift from Michael ’86 and Robyn Nieri HA ’20 named the department of Construction Science and Management which was expanded in 2022 to the Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development.
The College of Architecture, Art and Construction (CAAC) prepares students to transform, enhance and sustain the physical world. Fusing theoretical understanding of design with practical knowledge, technical skills and a global mindset, their faculty diligently prepare our students for academic and professional advancement. In every corner — from Lee Hall to the outdoor Experiential Learning Yard and even further afield to our globe-spanning Fluid Campus® — CAAC students learn how to translate their education into lifelong success. While CAAC was recently established in 2023, it carries forward more than a century of excellence in design, visual art and building education at Clemson.
With two of our three academic units now bearing the names of distinguished alumni, we are not just building a college—we are defining a legacy. These names reflect the values, ambition and excellence that fuel our shared future. For our students, these named units are daily reminders that their Clemson experience can lead to meaningful, world-changing impact.
Ece Erdogmus, Founding Dean, College of Architecture, Art and Construction
