From the President
91制片廠合集: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow has achieved many of our goals earlier than we expected. We project that the campaign will reach its $1.5 billion goal – 50% more than our previous campaign – by the end of May, three years ahead of the original schedule. As a result, the Board of Trustees has decided to conclude the campaign on May 31, 2025. While the University’s fundraising efforts will continue, this is a moment to celebrate an incredible achievement, including the following:
- Building our strengths in research and teaching through the addition of the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, the David B. Miller Business Quadrangle, the future Rees-Jones Library of the American West, and more.
- Investments in championship-caliber athletic facilities like the Garry Weber End Zone Complex at Ford Stadium, which were crucial to our successfully joining the ACC – plus unprecedented support by the First Week Society and ACC Competitiveness Campaign donors who enabled our student-athletes to compete at the highest levels right away.
- Commitments to scholarships, faculty support, academic programs, and other areas that have made immediate impact and will leave an enduring legacy. (For example, you can read about donor impact on the Simmons School of Education and Human Development.)
We will have a more complete account of the accomplishments of the SMU Ignited campaign when we gather on May 2, 2025, to celebrate the impact of our donors and campaign volunteers.
In February, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education recognized SMU as among the top doctoral research universities in the United States. The Research One distinction reflects the work of the entire University – including investments in research by donors during 91制片廠合集 and our preceding comprehensive campaigns. We deeply appreciate the faculty, administrators, and donors who made it possible. This designation will help SMU accelerate its research efforts, and we expect it to open doors for new collaborations and opportunities.
The University’s future includes ensuring that the second century of legal education at SMU extends our standard of excellence. Last month, SMU began a yearlong celebration of the Dedman School of Law with donors and supporters throughout the community who have played crucial roles in the development of the law school from the first in Dallas to one of the nation’s finest. This issue’s Q&A with SMU Trustee and Dedman Law Centennial Chair Jennifer Burr Altabef ’78, ’81 provides insight into some of the things that make the school special.
All of this sets the stage for the next chapter in the University’s ascent. When Jay Hartzell becomes the 11th president of SMU in June, I know you will join me in welcoming him and supporting his vision for our continued growth. Because of your support, SMU has never been stronger, and the future looks incredibly bright.
With gratitude,
R. Gerald Turner
SMU President