University Announces Radcliffe Killam Distinguished Professorship

The announcement of Texas A&M International University's first Distinguished Professorship will be made at a reception and dinner Friday, September 20, 1996 in The Great Room of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library at 7 p.m.

The Radcliffe Killam Distinguished Professorship of International Trade Studies in the Western Hemisphere recognizes Killam's long-standing interest and support of business education and research at the University, said President J. Charles Jennett.

"Radcliffe Killam and the Killam family name are synonymous with support of higher education in South Texas and beyond. Mr. Killam and his wife, Sue Spivey Killam, helped fulfill our community's long-cherished dream of a campus for Texas A&M International University with their generous gift of 300 acres of prime land in northeast Laredo for Texas' newest four-year University.

"We are recognizing Mr. Killam's continued interest in and personal commitment to international business education and research by naming this Distinguished Professorship in his honor," Dr. Jennett explained.

Joining the Killam family for the evening affair will be The Texas A&M University System Chancellor, Dr. Barry Thompson. A number of local dignitaries, honored guests and community leaders will attend the special event.

The Radcliffe Killam Distinguished Professorship will be part of the University's Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade. The Center, which was initiated at the former Laredo State University, has since been emulated by other universities. The Center is considered the University's first step to becoming a national resource center for Western Hemispheric Trade Studies.

Born in the small town of Grove, Oklahoma, Radcliffe Killam followed in the footsteps of his father, O.W. Killam, a legendary independent wildcatter in the oil and gas business.

Radcliffe Killam graduated from Laredo High School, and often toiled in the oilfields as a teenager. He received a Bachelor's degree from the University of Texas and earned a law degree from Harvard Law School.

His military service included time as a Lt. Commander in the US Navy and Mediterranean Area Commander, Pacific Theater Boat Base.

His has been a guiding hand in much of the oil and gas industry's growth in the past 50 years. His industry interests have included exploration, production and transportation.

His diversified businesses include extensive ranching interests, residential and commercial real estate development, banking and financial investments.

He has also served his community as a director or officer of numerous public and civic organizations. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the M.D. Anderson Hospital for over 30 years and has established a professorship there.

He is a director of the Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association and a Member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America and the All- American Wildcatters.

In 1978, he was honored as "Mr. South Texas" for his outstanding contributions. With wife Sue at his side, the couple has assisted greatly in the growth of Texas A&M International University and the community at large.

The couple's children, Treya Killam-Wilber (deceased), Adrian Kathleen Killam, David Winfield Killam and Tracey Leigh Killam-DiLeo, follow their parent's exemplary service to the community.