On December 9, 2000, then Clinton Foundation President Skip Rutherford joined President Bill Clinton, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and architect James Polshek in unveiling the design for the Clinton Presidential Library. The ceremony took place in the Roosevelt Room at the White House. In his remarks President Clinton said, “I really wanted the relationship that this library would have to the University of Arkansas to be focused on public service. I want more and more people to go want to go into public service.” After heading up the planning, construction and the 2004 opening of the Clinton Library, Rutherford became dean of the Clinton School, the nation’s first graduate program to offer a master’s degree in public service.
Clinton Foundation President (now Clinton School Dean) Skip Rutherford greets former President Jimmy Carter at the opening of the Clinton Presidential Library on November 18, 2004. President and Mrs. Clinton hosted a pre-ceremony brunch for the other presidents and distinguished guests in the Library’s Great Hall. Vice President Al Gore is in the background of the photo.
A sea of umbrellas covered the Clinton Presidential Park during the November 18, 2004 Clinton Library dedication ceremonies. More than 27,000 attended in spite of a cold steady rain. The Clinton School (Sturgis Hall) was a holding area for special guests. Barbra Streisand used what is now director of administration Dianne Kelly’s office.