SMU begins the final year of its $1 billion Second Century Campaign with the momentum of $4.8 million in new commitments, continuing the campaign’s historic levels of support. The new campaign commitments are:
- $1 million from David B. and Carolyn L. Miller and the David B. Miller Family Foundation for an endowed scholarship fund for MBA students in Cox School of Business. David Miller is an SMU alumnus, member of the SMU Board of Trustees and chair of the Cox School of Business Executive Board. He is a co-founder and managing partner of EnCap Investments L.P., a leading private equity firm based in Dallas and Houston.
- $1 million from SMU alumni Charles A. and Elaine Scheffer Mangum for the Barbara and James Mangum Endowed Teaching Excellence Fund, which will present annual awards to outstanding accounting faculty in Cox School of Business and economics faculty in Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences. Charles Mangum is co-founder and chief investment officer of Baylon Capital Management, a private investment partnership. The Mangums reside in Boston.
- $1 million from SMU alumnus Richard H. Collins to establish the Institute for Leadership Impact in Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development. The institute will support the preparation of leaders in public and private education systems. Collins is chair and CEO of Istation, a global leader in educational technology.
- $1 million planned gift from an anonymous donor to establish an endowed fund in Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development. The fund will support undergraduate and graduate scholarships for students preparing to become teachers.
- $800,000 in new funds raising to $1 million the total commitment from SMU alumni Jennifer and Martin “Marty” Flanagan for the Jennifer and Marty Flanagan Endowed Master of Arts/Master of Business Administration Scholarship. It supports graduate students pursuing careers in arts management through a dual degree program offered jointly by Meadows School of the Arts and Cox School of Business. Martin Flanagan is president and CEO of Invesco, a global investment management organization headquartered in Atlanta.
The generosity of these donors in supporting faculty, students and programs contributes toward SMU’s continued advancement as a major institution of higher education and moves us closer to achieving our academic goals.”
– SMU President R. Gerald Turner.
SMU Unbridled: The Second Century Campaign, launched in 2008, is the largest fundraising effort in the University’s history. Bolstered by the early success of the campaign, in 2013 the Board of Trustees raised the original $750 million goal to $1 billion to support student quality, faculty and academic excellence and the campus experience.
With the addition of new campaign-funded faculty positions, the number of substantially endowed faculty positions at SMU has risen from 62 to 102, toward a goal of 110. Campaign gifts have provided 539 new endowed scholarships, averaging $100,000 each.
Campaign commitments have enriched academic offerings through support for 40 academic programs, including schools, departments, institutes and centers. The Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development, the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering and the Roy M. Huffington Department of Earth Sciences in Dedman College were named in recognition of campaign commitments.
Major new facilities funded by campaign gifts include a new Residential Commons complex of five residence halls and a dining center and new buildings for Lyle School of Engineering, Perkins School of Theology, Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development and SMU-in-Taos. Athletics facilities have been enhanced with the new Crum Basketball Center, major renovation and expansion of Moody Coliseum and the new SMU Tennis Complex to open this spring. The new Mustang Band Hall opened last fall, and construction has begun on new buildings for the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center and Gerald J. Ford Research Center.
We are grateful to these leadership donors and the thousands of other donors supporting SMU’s vision. As we begin the campaign’s final year, we are encouraged by the high level of dedication to SMU’s progress. We are confident of a strong campaign finish to begin SMU’s second century of achievement.”
– Brad E. Cheves, SMU Vice President for Development and External Affairs.
The Campaign Leadership Council is composed of Gerald J. Ford, convening co-chair, and co-chairs Ruth Collins Sharp Altshuler, Michael M. Boone, Ray L. Hunt, Caren H. Prothro and Carl Sewell. More than 400 volunteers have contributed their time and efforts toward the campaign’s progress. To date, the Second Century Campaign has received commitments of more than $927 million.
> Dallas Morning News’ Robert Miller: Donors boost SMU drive