SMU UPDATE: June 2018
Dear Reunion Year Alumni,
The 2017–18 academic year was filled with exciting events, famous faces, incredible generosity and bold achievements. Enjoy these video highlights of the year’s most memorable moments, and check out the stories below for the latest news from the Hilltop.
Pony Up!
SMU Reunion Programs
Congratulations to the Class of 2018!
At the all-University Commencement ceremony on May 19, featured speaker Randall L. Stephenson, chairman and CEO of AT&T, challenged members of the Class of 2018 to “make every effort not to live your life in a straight line.” The day was filled with hugs, laughter and pony ears as the new graduates looked back on their four exciting years on the Hilltop and forward to their futures as world changers.
Shaping legal leaders for a changing world
The new Robert B. Rowling Center for Business Law and Leadership will enrich the law school curriculum with training in such areas as ethical leadership, business analytics and entrepreneurship.
‘This is our time to rise
even higher’
A new report by University leadership makes 14 bold recommendations for continuing SMU’s ascent by further elevating overall academic quality and bolstering local, national and global impact.
Powering achievement across the Hilltop
Thanks to your commitment to SMU excellence, Pony Power outpaced the first-year goal and raised more than $57 million to fuel today’s students, faculty and programs. Let’s make an even greater impact in Year Two!
New Board officers and members named
Three new officers and three new trustees were named to SMU’s Board of Trustees during the Board’s spring meeting on May 4. The Board also passed a resolution to honor two former members as trustees emeriti.
Jasmine Liu ’18 discovers her future in the stars
Jasmine Liu ’18 planned a career in the corporate world, but physics research left her star struck. Her work helped reveal a variable star in the Pegasus constellation, and now she sees a future in astrophysics or astronomy.
Understanding research libraries from the ground up
Holly Jeffcoat, a higher-education leader in the use of technology in instruction and library services, has been selected as the next dean of SMU Libraries. She will assume her new duties on
August 1.
Honoring the achievements of business alumni
Cox School of Business recognized Distinguished Alumni Clark Hunt ’87 and James M. “Jim” Johnson ’70, ’71 and Outstanding Young Alumni Chris Lowe ’04, ’14 and Jeff Owens ’01, ’02 at its 2018 awards luncheon on May 11.
Mustangs come through with flying colors
More than 10,000 of you made an investment in SMU in 2017–18, creating extraordinary opportunities across the University community. Enjoy this video of appreciation for making the Horsepower Challenge so successful!
The start of something big
When school district budget constraints stalled a field trip intended to reward Rusk Middle School students for their hard work in the classroom, SMU stepped up and treated the eighth-graders to a campus visit unlike any other.
Art in high gear: Julia Jalowiec ‘18
Julia Jalowiec ’18 is in her 40s, has four children and never created art before a battle with cancer spurred her to go back to school. She earned her bachelor’s degree in May, and her art is getting noticed.
ICYMI (IN CASE YOU MISSED IT)
- SMU Remembers Patsy Pinson Hutchison ’54
- Follow SMU Athletics’ “Summer Social” theme days
- Interdisciplinary team wins NSF grant for math teacher pipeline
- Students, alums cast in Lyric Stage’s Guys and Dolls, June 8–10
- Video: A Mustang becomes one of the newest Broncos
- Lab Girl: Read along with SMU Reads this summer
- Perkins professor honored with career achievement award
- Edward Allegra ’16 receives ELITE 2018 Entrepreneur Award
- Dedman Law’s Deason Center works for prisoner release
- Meadows Prize winner to create arts investment pilot in Dallas
EVENTS IN YOUR REGION
Friday, September 28 – Saturday, September 29
Save the date for SMU Family Weekend, featuring a family luncheon and the annual student talent show on Friday and the Boulevard BBQ and SMU vs. Houston Baptist football game on Saturday.
Saturday, October 13
Join the Meadows Museum for “The Color of Dreams,” the inaugural Masterpiece Gala to raise funds to endow the museum’s director of education position. Guests will enjoy cocktails, a seated dinner, entertainment and dancing. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Visit the gala website for more information.
Thursday, November 1 – Sunday, November 4
Plan now to return to the Hilltop for SMU Homecoming 2018. The exciting weekend includes the Distinguished Alumni Awards celebration on Thursday, reunions on Friday and the SMU vs. Houston football game on Saturday.
