SLU Launches William L. Clay, Sr. Institute of Civic Engagement and Economic Justice
07/02/2025
As it celebrates its 40th anniversary, the William L. Clay Scholarship & Research Fund is building on its legacy by embarking on a new chapter in its longstanding commitment to empowering young people through education.
William “Bill” Lacy Clay Sr. (A&S '53) waves to the crowd during SLU's 2018 commencement ceremony where he received an honorary degree for his decades of service to St. Louis. Photo by Steve Dolan.
Founded by former U.S. Congressman William L. 'Bill' Clay (A&S ’53), the Fund has provided critical financial support to students from Missouri’s First Congressional District who have the ability — but not the resources — to pursue higher education. However, as the landscape of higher education evolves and financial challenges persist for many families, the Fund’s leadership saw an opportunity in this milestone year to ensure its mission continues in a new and more sustainable way.
The Fund will transition from providing individual scholarship awards to investing $400,000 to establish the William L. Clay, Sr. Institute of Civic Engagement and Economic Justice at Saint Louis University, where Clay was one of the University’s first African American graduates.
The Clay Institute will provide immersive learning experiences and hands-on training that address the social and economic challenges facing the St. Louis region and the nation. Institute programming will be available to all students with an interest in civic engagement and democratic participation.
Angie Clay Thomas speaks during the William L. Clay Scholarship & Research Fund 40th Anniversary Celebration, held June 7 at the Missouri History Museum. Photo by Alexia Dickson.
“This new Institute will empower our students to become changemakers, deepening their understanding of pressing social issues and equipping them with the necessary skills to drive meaningful solutions that uplift communities,” said Rochelle Smith, SLU’s vice president for diversity and innovative community engagement.
The University’s Center for Social Action (CSA), where the Institute will be housed, shares a similar focus on service, education and community partnerships. Bobby Wassel, Ph.D., who directs the CSA, will also lead the Institute’s efforts.
“The partnership with SLU’s Center for Social Action is an exciting opportunity to continue my grandfather’s legacy and the work of the Clay scholarship in a new and more impactful way,” said Angie Clay Thomas, executive director of the William L. Clay Scholarship & Research Fund. “We hope the programs and experiences offered deepen students’ collective consciousness, root them in truth and justice, and inspire their collaborative action for transformative change.”
In many ways, the Institute will continue the work advanced by Clay, the first African American to represent Missouri in Congress. Clay was a tireless advocate for expanding educational opportunities for underserved students during his more than 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. Throughout his life, he has championed education as a path to opportunity.
SLU awarded Clay an honorary Doctor of Public Service in 2018 in recognition of his lifelong commitment to education and public service. In 2023, he received the University’s Pioneer Award, an annual honor recognizing alumni whose leadership has paved the way for others.
“We are deeply honored that the William L. Clay Scholarship & Research Fund has entrusted SLU with helping carry forward Congressman Clay’s extraordinary legacy,” Smith said. “As a Jesuit university dedicated to forming future leaders in service to others, we share his unwavering commitment to expanding access to education and opportunity for all.”
At the celebration, members of DICE pose for a photo with former U.S. Congressman William Lacy Clay Jr. and U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell. From left: Aubra Ladd, program coordinator; Katie Heiden-Rootes, Ph.D., assistant vice president; Luella Loseille, assistant director for diversity and inclusion; Jessica Trout, assistant director for advocacy and civic engagement; Leah Sweetman, Ph.D., director of community engaged learning; and Bobby Wassel, Ph.D., director of the Center for Social Action. Submitted photo.
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Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic research institutions. Rooted in Jesuit values and its pioneering history as the first university west of the Mississippi River, SLU offers more than 15,300 students a rigorous, transformative education that challenges and prepares them to make the world a better place. As a nationally recognized leader in research and innovation, SLU is an R1 research university, advancing groundbreaking, life-changing discoveries that promote the greater good.
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