SMU Vice President Brad Cheves honored with scholars’ fund

DALLAS (SMU) - An anonymous donor has established The Brad E. Cheves Endowed Tower Center Scholars Program fund in honor of the University’s vice president for Development and External Affairs. SMU President R. Gerald Turner surprised Cheves with the announcement at the April 27 meeting of the Tower Center Executive Board of Directors.

(l. to r.)Tower Center Board Member Ambassador Robert W. Jordan, Tower Center Interim Director Joshua Rovner, SMU Vice President Brad E. Cheves, Tower Center Board Chair Dan Branch and SMU President R. Gerald Turner.

The fund will support the Highland Capital Management Tower Scholars – a select group of students who are chosen every year to combine academic studies with experience in the real world of public policy and international affairs. Tower Scholars are enrolled in an exclusive minor in Public Policy and International Affairs, which pairs policy practitioners with SMU faculty to combine critical thinking and analytical skills within a rigorous academic framework.

The application-only minor is open to all majors across the schools, with admission based on a competitive application process. The first cohort of scholars will graduate in 2017.

Cheves is responsible for fund-raising and public relations for the University, including oversight of the recently completed $1.15 billion Second Century Campaign.  The record-setting effort dramatically increased the numbers of new SMU donors at all levels, resulting in significant growth in the number of endowed scholarships awarded to students such as the Tower Scholars.

Cheves first served as SMU's associate vice president for Development from 1998 to 2001, and returned to the University as vice president for Development and External Affairs in June 2004.  

The John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies was created to commemorate the late U.S. senator whose life was dedicated to public service and education. The center seeks to bridge the gap between the world of ideas, scholarship and teaching, and the practice of politics.  Its primary mission is to promote the study of politics and international affairs and to stimulate an interest in ethical public service among undergraduates. The Tower Center is an academic center where all parties and views are heard in a marketplace of ideas, and the Center pursues its mission in a nonpartisan manner.

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