SMU is a family affair for the Parent Leadership Council’s new chairs, Bill (’82) and Liz Martin (’82) Armstrong of Denver. Their daughter Leigh, a sophomore, is the 10th Mustang in the family.
“We share a tent on the Boulevard with Leigh’s aunts, uncles and cousins,” Mrs. Armstrong says. “Tailgating offers such a great opportunity for generations of alums and students to congregate and celebrate.”
The Amstrong family in Denver: (from left) Bill, Liz and daughter Leigh, an SMU sophomore.
The couple met in a first-year geology class at SMU, and both earned Bachelor’s degrees in geology. They say campus experiences like the Boulevard continue to be a vital part of their lives as alumni. “Our relationships and experiences beyond the classroom helped define who we are today,” Mrs. Armstrong says. “We are thrilled that our daughter is exploring many of these programs, volunteer opportunities and social groups herself.”
The Armstrongs stay connected with SMU and their daughter through the Parent Leadership Council (PLC) – last year as members and for the next two years as co-chairs. This year 137 families are represented on the PLC, up from 98 last year.
The PLC is charged with expanding its membership and increasing gifts to the SMU Parent Fund, which supports all areas of the University. “The Parent Fund is unrestricted, and helps fill the gap that tuition does not cover,” says Christi Contreras, director of parent giving. In addition to supporting scholarships and helping to pay for teaching resources, the funds are distributed across campus for everything from buying professional journal subscriptions to purchasing the latest technology equipment.
This year’s PLC goal for annual giving is $800,000, which will be applied toward The Second Century Campaign. The five-year public phase of SMU’s $750 million fund-raising campaign was launched September 12 at a campus rally, which the Armstrongs attended.
“During the kickoff, we felt SMU’s energy and commitment to a strong present and future,” Mrs. Armstrong says.
To learn more about the Parent Leadership Council, contact Christi Contreras at 214-768-4746, or e-mail cshelton@smu.edu.