Featured News
SMU senior awarded prestigious Marshall scholarship
Isabelle Galko’s environmental activism sparked study of policy change
SMU senior environmental science major Isabelle Galko is one of just 41 American university students named a Marshall Scholar for 2022, a prestigious opportunity to pursue graduate studies in the UK for distinguished young Americans with leadership potential.
SMU Law Dean named President of Rhodes College
Jennifer Collins, Judge James Noel Dean and professor in SMU’s Dedman School of Law, has been named the new president of Rhodes College, a four-year private institution in Memphis with approximately 2,000 students.
SMU’s new home for graduate education
Supported by a gift from the Moody Foundation, SMU breaks ground on the new Frances Anne Moody Hall, which will house SMU’s eighth degree-granting school, the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
SMU Cox School of Business has named its annual list of the 100 fastest growing private companies in DFW. A Frisco tech company fueled by artificial intelligence is the big winner.
SMU launches powerful new supercomputing research system with NVIDIA
SMU is collaborating with accelerated computing leader NVIDIA to dramatically boost the University’s high-performance computing system – increasing SMU’s current supercomputer memory tenfold and setting the stage for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning 25 times faster than current levels.
SMU remembers Peter O’Donnell, Jr., SMU trustee and renowned Dallas humanitarian
“Peter’s devotion to SMU and Dallas was an inspiration to us all,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “His loss will be sorely felt by those who were witness to and impacted by his monumental support of the arts and education. His legacy stretches far beyond the borders of SMU and Dallas, and his memory will be honored through the cultural initiatives and improvements made possible through his work.”
SMU mourns loss of Meadows Museum director Mark Roglán
Celebrated scholar of Spanish art leaves profound global legacy
Celebrated scholar of Spanish art leaves profound global legacy
Bill ’74 and Kim Shaddock commit $6 million to Cox School of Business
A gift from Kim and William (Bill) Shaddock ’74 will establish Shaddock Hall as part of the building renovation project of the Cox School of Business. The $6 million contribution will foster educational excellence through dedicated spaces for learning, research and collaboration.
The gift of $3 million gift from Linda P. Custard ’60, ’99 and William A. Custard ’57 is the largest personal contribution in the history of the Meadows Museum. With matching funds of $3 million from The Meadows Foundation, it will establish the Custard Institute for Spanish Art and Culture at the Meadows Museum.
SMU remembers Cary Maguire, Sr., community leader
SMU mourns the loss of Cary M. Maguire, Sr., trustee emeritus and former SMU Board of Trustees member, who passed away on Tuesday, August 10, at the age of 93. Maguire, a long-standing leader in the community, was among some of SMU’s most active and generous donors, as well as a dedicated and innovative leader in the energy industry.
SMU remembers Mary Anne Sammons Cree ’51
Dallas philanthropist and civic leader Mary Anne Sammons Cree passed away July 21, 2021, leaving a legacy of leadership, generosity and nature-inspired landmarks that will delight Dallas residents for generations to come.
The Hegi Family commits $1 million to SMU’s Hegi Family Career Development Center
A $1 million gift from the Hegi Family will empower students to navigate today’s fast-changing work environment and find lifelong career success through the renovation and expansion of SMU’s Hegi Family Career Development Center.
Jennifer ’86 and Mark Styslinger ’87 and the Altec/Styslinger Foundation commit $4 million to name the new Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex at SMU.
Sharoll and Bryan S. Sheffield ’01 commit $15 million to the Cox School of Business
A $15 million gift from Sharoll and Bryan S. Sheffield ’01 to SMU’s Edwin L. Cox School of Business will empower future entrepreneurs by creating new technology-equipped collaborative spaces.
Dr. Turner shares a letter of support for the Asian community
Whitney Wolfe Herd to speak at Commencement
Bumble CEO/Founder Whitney Wolfe Herd, who began sharpening her entrepreneurial skills as a student at SMU, will deliver her alma mater's May Commencement Address.
SMU remembers Ruth Prouse Morgan Ph.D., professor emerita and SMU’s first female provost
SMU mourns the loss of educator, trailblazer and University leader Ruth Prouse Morgan who served as a professor of political science at SMU for 20 years and as the University’s first female provost from 1986–1993.
SMU to remain test-optional for Fall ’22 and Spring ’23
SMU will remain test-optional for first-year undergraduate applicants seeking admission and scholarships for both fall 2022 and spring 2023.
Endowing Excellence in Education and Research
Mary and Rich Templeton commit $5 million to the Lyle School of Engineering
A $5 million gift from longtime SMU supporters Mary and Rich Templeton will bolster student excellence and doctoral research in SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering through endowed scholarships and fellowships.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.