Momentum Builds to Increase Campus Support

SMU is well on its way in planning its next major gifts campaign, with a public launch scheduled for 2008.

The new campaign will focus on endowments for student scholarships, faculty positions, academic programs and the overall campus experience. In January 2006 the Board of Trustees created a volunteer Campaign Leadership Council (CLC) composed of co-chairs from the previous campaign and other trustee leaders. With former Board Chair Gerald J. Ford ('66, '69) serving as Convening Chair, Council leadership includes current Board Chair Carl Sewell ('66); Ruth Altshuler ('48); Ray L. Hunt ('65); and Caren H. Prothro.

Altshuler, Hunt and Prothro were among the five co-chairs of the successful "A Time to Lead" Campaign that concluded in 2002. Other members of the new CLC are trustees Michael M. Boone ('63, '67); Gary T. Crum ('69); Linda Pitts Custard ('60, '99); Robert H. Dedman Jr. ('80, '84); Milledge A. Hart, III; Gene C. Jones; Jeanne L. Phillips ('76); John C. Tolleson ('70) and Richard Ware ('68). SMU President R. Gerald Turner serves as an ex-officio member.

"The Campaign Leadership Council represents the important core group that will set the pace of giving and involvement for others," says Brad Cheves, vice president for Development and External Affairs.

The CLC will eventually oversee a larger campaign volunteer organization consisting of about 50 members and including chairs for school campaigns, Central University Libraries, athletics, and regional efforts, among others.

Early gifts to the campaign have ranged from new endowments for professorships and scholarships to support for enhanced academic programs and facilities. These and other new gifts will be announced in upcoming issues of Vision SMU.

"Excitement is very high about where this campaign can bring SMU in terms of academic quality and reputation, and momentum for the effort is building,"Turner says.