As the president of Southern Methodist University since 1995, R. Gerald Turner
is leading an era of unprecedented progress at the University. The Campaign for SMU:
A Time to Lead raised more than $542 million for academic programs, scholarships,
professorships, and student life programs. A new strategic plan is guiding the University's
advancement, and the Centennial Master Plan is the physical profile of the campus,
including development of a new East Quad.
Beyond the campus, Gerald Turner serves on the boards of the United Way of
Dallas, the Methodist Hospital Foundation, the Salvation Army of Dallas, and
three publicly traded companies.
President Turner holds leadership positions in several higher education associations.
He is co-chair of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics and
chair of the NCAA Subcommittee on Presidential Leadership of Internal and External
Constituencies. He is the winner of the Henry Cohn Humanitarian Award of the
Anti-Defamation League of Dallas and the Chief Executive Leadership Award from
District Four of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
Before joining SMU, President Turner was the chancellor of the University
of Mississippi. A native of New Boston, Texas, he earned a B.S. degree in psychology
from Abilene Christian University and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in psychology
from the University of Texas at Austin. He and his wife, Gail, a native of
Graham, Texas, have two daughters, both of whom live with their husbands in
Dallas. Angela is a professional opera singer and the mother of Luke; Jessica,
an SMU alumna, is a professional actress.
Southern Methodist University is a private, comprehensive university of 11,000
students enrolled in seven degree-granting schools. SMU offers undergraduate
and graduate programs in the humanities and sciences, business, engineering,
education, and the performing, visual, and communication arts, as well as professional
degree programs in law and theology. Founded in 1911 by what is now the United
Methodist Church, SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to the
values of academic freedom and open inquiry.