Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates Provides Keynote Remarks at Inaugural Gala

UT President Bill Powers welcomed guests and shared his enthusiasm for the Center. Chairman of the Board and grandson of Bill Clements, George Seay, thanked everyone for their generosity, and Executive Director William Inboden gave insight into the concept of the Clements Center and expressed the importance of history and policy making. 

Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was the keynote speaker and provided thought-provoking and personal words about his career path, relationship with Bill Clements, and the intersection of history and foreign policy.

Henry Kissinger was featured in a video made for the event in which he spoke about former Governor Clements and his impact on the State Department during his tenure as Deputy Secretary of Defense.

The evening was rounded out with the UT Marching Band and the University’s fight song.