Dr. Clarence E. (CEM) Maxwell ‘70

Dr. Clarence E. (CEM) Maxwell retired as a colonel in December 2011 after a distinguished career in the U.S. Army. His leadership spanned roles in the U.S. and abroad, culminating in his position as dean of the world’s largest allied health academy, responsible for the education and training of over 30,000 students annually. Throughout his service, he oversaw the programming, funding, design, construction, and sustainment of over 1,600 health facilities worldwide. He also served as a program manager for Army health facilities, a consultant to the Army’s surgeon general, and an expert witness before the U.S. Congress.

In August 2007, Maxwell accepted an appointment as a Senior Executive Service (SES) member with the Air Force. As an SES member, he successfully managed one of the largest and most complex Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) initiatives. Over 10,000 government positions were moved between installations worldwide. A new campus was constructed for the medical training of all three services’ enlisted personnel. Brooke Army Medical Center was expanded to create the Defense Department’s largest teaching hospital. He directly oversaw the Army Corps of Engineers to complete 39 construction projects valued at over $3.8 billion.

Maxwell has served on numerous boards, including a school board, the Army Medical Department Museum and the Army Retirement Community. In 1969, CEM helped to form the Alpha Alpha Chapter of Tau Sigma Delta at Texas A&M University.

He was among the first to earn a doctorate in architecture from the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University (1985). His academic foundation includes a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Texas A&M University (1970) and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Baylor University (1978).