SMU celebrates ‘Second Century’ campaign
with commitments and gifts in nation’s capitol

DALLAS (SMU) – SMU President R. Gerald Turner and other university officials and supporters gathered at The Metropolitan Club of Washington D.C. to celebrate gifts and commitments to the Second Century Campaign totaling more than $5 million from area alumni, parents and friends.

“The Washington D.C. area is home to an enthusiastic and dedicated alumni community whose members hold leadership positions in various disciplines in the nation’s capital. The region continues to send talented students to our campus in Dallas, serves as a destination for our graduates to launch their careers, and is home to some of our most generous donors,” Turner said. “Their gifts and support are helping us create the foundation for a new century of unbridled achievement at SMU.”

Among those recognized were Glenn A. Youngkin and Suzanne Schulze Youngkin ’89, for their $1 million gift toward the renovation of Moody Coliseum, and SMU parents John W. Marriott III and Angela C. Marriott for their $1 million gift to create the Marriott Family Endowed Professor Fund in the Meadows School of the Arts.  This fund was also supported by John’s father, J. Willard Marriott Jr., and his wife, Donna Garff Marriott and was provided through the Marriott Fund of The Columbus Foundation in Columbus, Ohio.  Finally, the Charles Koch Foundation was acknowledged for its $1 million gift in support of the O’Neil Center for Global Markets and Freedom in SMU’s Cox School of Business.

In addition to the gifts noted above, five other Washington D.C. area donors have made commitments of $50,000 or more.  Over 900 donors from the region have made nearly 2,800 gifts to SMU during the Second Century Campaign, and 27 percent of area alumni made a gift in the fiscal year that ended May 31, 2012.

Forty President’s Associates, individuals who give $1,000 or more annually, as well as 263 Hilltop Society donors, those individuals who have made gifts in consecutive years, live in the region.

To date, SMU’s Second Century Campaign has received commitments of more than $714 million toward its goal of $750 million to support student quality, faculty and academic excellence and the campus experience. The campaign coincides with SMU’s celebration of the 100^th anniversary of the University’s founding in 1911 and its opening in 1915.

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SMU is a nationally ranked private university in Dallas founded 100 years ago. Today, SMU enrolls nearly 11,000 students who benefit from the academic opportunities and international reach of seven degree-granting schools.