HPISD Dedicates William P. Clements Jr. Leadership Center
Highland Park ISD on Monday celebrated the dedication of the newly-named William P. Clements Jr. Leadership Center.
The naming of the building, which houses meeting space, a display of HPISD and alumni memorabilia, a natatorium, athletic offices, a locker room, and a training facility, recognizes alumnus and former governor William P. Clements Jr. for his lifetime achievements and service, as well as his family, who, in 2018, provided an unprecedented $10 million gift from the Clements Foundation to establish the William P. Clements, Jr. Fund. The gift is still the largest in the history of the Highland Park Education Foundation and is designated to support, develop, reward and retain HPISD teachers and staff.
Before being elected in 1978 as the first Republican governor of Texas in more than 100 years, Clements founded SEDCO, which went on to become the largest offshore drilling company in the world. He was also a supporter of SMU.
(READ: HPISD Multi-Use Building Named For William P. Clements Jr.)
“This school district really is built upon the foundation of the alumni that have gone through and he is such an examplar for that,” said HPISD Superintendent Tom Trigg. “This is a gathering spot for teachers. We now have professional development space … our teachers are becoming better teachers because of this facility.”
“What stuck out to me when Pauline (Neuhoff, Clements’ granddaughter) was describing their family’s history was, as successful and Gov. Clements became, she said he always credited his love of learning to his teachers at Highland Park,” said Lauren Holloway of the Highland Park Education Foundation.
