Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.

Every year our nation celebrates the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. – the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage Americans to improve our communities. But in many ways this year’s MLK Day will be very different than in years past.

Message from President Turner on Violence at Capitol

The violence and disruption at the U.S. Capitol yesterday were deplorable, as is any attempt to erode the rule of law, our founding principles of freedom, and the institutions and symbols of our great nation.

Lilly Endowment Inc. awards Perkins $1M for new Congregational Vitality program

SMU’s Perkins School of Theology receives a grant of nearly $1 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish the ‘Testimony as Community Engagement’ program

SMU has received a $999,975 grant to support Perkins School of Theology’s Testimony as Community Engagement program. The grant is being made through Lilly Endowment’s nationwide Thriving Congregations Initiative.

Virtual reality recessional for December 2020 graduates

We know 2020 has been tough, and we want to provide you access to our cherished Hilltop traditions, even if they look a bit different this year.

'Tis the season for Commencement

David Miller will be the featured speaker when SMU honors more than 500 candidates for graduation on Dec. 19 in Ford Stadium.

The Gerald J. Ford Hall for Research and Innovation ignites the future of research and education at SMU

SMU dedicated the Gerald J. Ford Hall for Research and Innovation on December 4, 2020, a new 50,000-square-foot interdisciplinary research hub that will equip faculty, students and industry partners with tools and resources to collaborate, solve complex problems and power new enterprises in the digital world of today and tomorrow.

Unflappable airline pilot Tammie Jo Shults delivered SMU's December 1 Tate Lecture

Tammie Jo Shults, former Navy aviator turned airline captain, kept her cool and safely landed Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 when the engine failed and debris damaged the fuselage.

Building enterprising spirit

Jane R. and Pat S. Bolin ’73 commit $7.5 million to the Cox School of Business

A $7.5 million gift from Jane R. and Pat S. Bolin ’73 to SMU’s Edwin L. Cox School of Business will foster collaboration inside and outside the classroom, and strengthen students’ advanced data analysis skills.

Edwin “Ed” L. Cox, Sr. ’42 remembered for generous support of SMU

SMU mourns the passing of renowned Dallas business leader, entrepreneur, public servant, educational pioneer and longtime University supporter and trustee emeritus Edwin L. Cox Sr. ’42, who died Thursday, November 5, 2020. He had recently celebrated his 99th birthday on October 20th and remained active and engaged with family and friends until his passing.

Responding respectfully to the election

We are proud to be hosting a polling place in Moody Coliseum on November 3 to support our SMU family and our surrounding community in exercising our solemn responsibility as members of this republic – voting.

SMU enrollment hits all-time high

The class of 2024 helps drive record enrollment at SMU

Undergrads and graduate students have taken a flexible path during the pandemic, driving student population to a record-breaking 12,385.

Investing in a culture of collaboration

Aurelia and Brad Heppner ’88 and family commit $11.5 million to the Cox School of Business

An $11.5 million gift from Aurelia and Brad Heppner ’88 and family to SMU’s Edwin L. Cox School of Business will strengthen the school’s commitment to fostering the leadership skills of tomorrow’s executives and investing in groundbreaking research that impacts the business world.

Fueling the Future of Business

Gina L. and Tucker S. Bridwell ’73, ’74 Commit $15 Million to the Cox School

A $15 million gift from Gina L. and Tucker S. Bridwell (BBA ’73, MBA ’74) to SMU’s Cox School of Business will generate transformational economic research and cutting-edge business education for generations to come, through the creation of the new Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom.

Message from Dr. Turner on 9-11

This is a somber day, as we remember the 2,977 souls of all races, religions and ethnicities that were lost in New York City, Washington, D.C., and outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after terrorists hijacked and deliberately crashed four commercial airliners on Sept. 11, 2001.

SMU names Lisa Garvin as chaplain, minister to university

The Rev. Lisa Garvin will join SMU Oct. 19 as its new chaplain and minister to the University, the first woman to serve in the role.

SMU Commencement was a fabulous send-off for our 2020 graduates

It was joyful and well worth the wait: Enjoy photos, video of the ceremony and a time-lapsed look at how we gathered to celebrate.

SMU Names Campus Leader Maria Dixon Hall as Chief Diversity Officer

Dixon Hall to convene University Diversity Council, supervise ombudsperson

Moving forward to accomplish shared goals developed with Black students, faculty, staff and alumni, SMU President R. Gerald Turner has announced that campus leader Maria Dixon Hall will fill the University’s newly created position of Chief Diversity Officer.

Message from President Turner on SMU Fall Operations Plan

As we prepare to welcome our students back for the upcoming semester, SMU's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) team has finalized and posted the Fall 2020 Operations Plan, designed to ensure the safety of our campus and minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Announcing SMU's Chief Diversity Officer

Maria Dixon Hall, Senior Advisor to the President for Cultural Intelligence and associate professor of corporate communications in the Meadows School of the Arts, has agreed to accept the newly created full-time position of Chief Diversity Officer to head our University-wide commitment to open dialogue, diversity and inclusion.

SMU to Host Outdoor Commencement at Ford Stadium Aug. 15

SMU will honor the accomplishments of its 2020 graduates at a festive open-air Commencement Convocation at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, in Ford Stadium. The University will celebrate the best of its historic traditions while meeting the unique health and safety needs inherent in the current environment.

SMU’s Caroline Brettell receives faculty career achievement award

Caroline Brettell, University Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, has been named the 2020 recipient of the SMU Faculty Career Achievement Award for her contributions to the teaching, scholarship, and service missions of the University.

Embrace Juneteenth today, and every day

Traditionally, Juneteenth is a day of family and community celebration – a time to proudly honor African-American history and culture. Please join me in embracing the spirit of Juneteenth today, and every day. Black Lives Matter.

SMU appoints Bobby Lothringer new University Registrar

Robert “Bobby” Lothringer will join SMU July 6 as its new University Registrar and will replace John Hall, who will retire in August after 50 years of service to the University.

Statement on racial and social injustice

This is a painful time for our country again as we grapple with the virulent and continuing threat of racism, as well as the violence that often mars legitimate mass public protest.

SMU waives ACT/SAT score requirement for admission in 2021

Students applying to SMU for spring 2021 or the following fall 2021 may now choose whether they submit ACT or SAT scores for undergraduate admission and scholarship consideration.

SMU remembers Congressman Sam Johnson ’51

SMU mourns the loss of retired congressman and decorated war hero Sam Johnson ’51, who died May 27, 2020 at the age of 89.

Pivoting to stay in touch spiritually

From mastering online learning to delivering conference-call sermons, Perkins School faculty, staff and students are embracing technology to stay spiritually connected while physically apart.

Understanding our viral adversary

It’s small and sneaky, turning its hosts into virus-spreading machines. Find out more from an SMU virologist’s answers to five big questions about the coronavirus.

Setting the pace for future athletic achievements

A $5 million gift from Heather and Ray W. Washburne ’84 and family will create a new soccer and track stadium

A $5 million commitment from Heather and Ray W. Washburne ’84 and family will enhance the student experience and elevate SMU’s competitiveness by establishing the Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium.

Renowned geologist James Quick named inaugural dean of SMU Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies

Distinguished geoscientist James Quick will open the doors to a new era of research and interdisciplinary collaboration as inaugural dean of SMU’s newly created Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.