Originally Posted: September 11, 2018
SMU Distinguished Alumni Awards to be presented on November 1
The University community will honor Pierce M. Allman ’54, Tucker S. Bridwell ’73, ’74 and Jane Chu ’81 with Distinguished Alumni Awards and Kelvin Beachum, Jr. ’10, ’12 with the Emerging Leader Award on November 1.
The Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony recognizes extraordinary achievement, outstanding character and good citizenship in an event hosted by President R. Gerald Turner and the SMU Alumni Board.
Pierce Allman has been a member of the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences Executive Board since 1994. Beachum earned two degrees from SMU – a Bachelor of Arts in economics and a Master of Liberal Studies.
More on Allman and Beachum:
Pierce Allman, co-owner of Dallas real estate firm Allie Beth Allman and Associates, displayed leadership and self-starter sensibilities as a student at SMU, where he was head cheerleader, Rotunda favorite, class treasurer and an M Award recipient.
Allman served in the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command after graduating with a B.A. degree in radio and TV. While employed by WFAA-radio, on Nov. 22, 1963, Allman became the first reporter to broadcast an on-scene report after witnessing the assassination of President John F. Kennedy during a presidential motorcade procession along Elm Street, in Dallas.
In 1965, SMU President Willis Tate recruited Allman to head the University’s alumni affairs office. Allman launched a public relations division at TracyLocke advertising agency, winning numerous awards before founding his own marketing firm, Allman & Co.
Dallas and SMU continue to benefit from Allman’s leadership and dedication. Allman co-founded the S.M. Wright Foundation and serves on its board. He has received numerous civic honors and has served on dozens of civic boards. A member of the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences Executive Board since 1994, Allman provided a lead gift in 2010 to launch the Dean’s Research Council. During SMU Unbridled: The Second Century Campaign, he served on the Dedman College Campaign Steering Committee. Read more.
Kelvin Beachum was drafted into the NFL in 2012 by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is in his seventh career year, currently as starting left tackle for the New York Jets. In 2016, Beachum launched the Kelvin Konnects initiative to further his mission of helping young people – particularly minority and disadvantaged youth – develop STEAM skills. The Kelvin Konnects initiative includes an annual, three-day STEM program in Mexia, adoption of the Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy in Dallas, fab labs through Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh and the Chevron STEM Zone at Super Bowl City, among others. Beachum partners with hunger advocacy groups Bread for the World and World Vision, and supports community food banks across America.
Beachum earned two degrees from SMU – a Bachelor of Arts in economics and a Master of Liberal Studies. Since graduating in 2012, Beachum has continued to support SMU’s annual Civil Rights Pilgrimage to learn about the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement. This past spring, Beachum made a $100,000 gift to rename the trip the Dennis Simon Endowed Civil Rights Pilgrimage, in honor of the late political science professor who led it from 2008–15 and provided mentorship to Beachum. He currently serves on the executive boards for the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development and the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering. Read more.